What's the lowest GPA someone has gotten into Harvard with?

Question

I know Harvard is insanely competitive, but I've heard random stories about people getting in with less-than-perfect GPAs. Like, is there such a thing as the 'lowest GPA' Harvard has ever accepted? Or is that just a myth?

I have a 3.7 unweighted and honestly I'm worried because everyone on social media seems to have 4.0+ with a ton of APs. I do a lot outside of school, though, like varsity sports and volunteering, and I have a weirdly unique hobby. Does Harvard ever take 'outliers' if they have something special about them?

Just curious if anyone knows about any low GPA success stories or if that's totally unrealistic. Looking for some hope here!

Accepted Answer

There isn’t an official published "lowest GPA" for students admitted to Harvard because the admissions process looks at each applicant holistically. Generally, most successful Harvard applicants have very high GPAs, often 3.9 or above unweighted, but that doesn't mean having a lower GPA automatically disqualifies you.

There have been rare instances of students with lower GPAs, even in the 3.5–3.7 range, being accepted. Usually, these students have something truly outstanding about their application—a national or international achievement, a unique background or perspective, or a talent that really stands out. Harvard is interested in building a diverse class with a range of strengths, so students who demonstrate exceptional promise or impact in other areas can sometimes overcome a less-than-perfect GPA.

For example, there was a student who had a 3.7 GPA due to taking extremely challenging coursework and excelling in an extracurricular area at a national level. Their unique passion and impact in their interest area was a big part of their story and caught the attention of admissions.

Your unique hobby, varsity sports, and volunteering give you strengths that a lot of other applicants may not have. Harvard is looking for students who show depth and real dedication beyond academics. Make sure your application pieces—especially your essays—highlight what makes your experiences unique and the impact you've had because of them.

While having a GPA below 3.9 makes admissions much more competitive, it's not totally unrealistic if the rest of your application is exceptionally strong. The stories about "low GPA" students getting into Harvard aren’t just myths, but they are rare exceptions, not the norm. Focus on the narrative you want to share, keep up the strong extracurriculars, and remember that many paths can lead to amazing schools and opportunities.