What is an acceptable GPA for top 20 programs

[QuickDreamer]

I know a high GPA is necessary, but far from sufficient. However, I wonder what GPA is considered as a weak point in the application? Will a 3.6 GPA be too low for top 20 programs?

[uncle_socks]

I have no evidence to back up my claim, but what I think is that a 3.6 is alright under a certain subset of circumstances. You probably need a few of these to compensate for at the top 5, a lot less so at #19 or #20.

1. Come from a prestigious school, especially if it's known for deflating grades
2. Rest of application is truly stellar. I'm talking high (overcompensating) GREs, good recs, good SOP.
3. Be an underrepresented minority or have an otherwise compelling story
4. High major GPA. Even better if the classes with lower grades are from classes thought of as hard for the average poli sci person and won't really be something you need to be competent in, ie physics, real analysis, organic chem, Literature in 14th Century Micronesia, etc. 
5. Strong upward trend in GPA. If you got Cs your entire freshman year and then got straight As after that, that probably won't hurt you too bad.

What I do have evidence for is:

GWU says average GPA is about a 3.8. They are not in the top 20. Washington University says 3.9, but I don't believe that because their combined GRE average is 323, which seems low for a 3.9. Ohio State is about 3.7. A 3.6 isn't going to get you explicitly automatically denied near #20, but it won't get you accepted either. 

 

 

[megabee]

GPA considerations are largely luck of the draw. At least one person on your admissions committee will think GPA/GRE should be the only consideration. A couple of people on your admissions committee won't consider them at all. For others it's just a hurdle - it won't help you get in at all, but it will keep your application on the table.

A shocking amount of the application process is left up to chance, and the consideration of GPA/GRE scores is one of those where everyone on the committee will have a strong opinion. Consideration of GPA will vary widely just based on the department atmosphere, and who the loudest person in the room is, and how the debate over not requiring GRE scores next year is heating up, and other things that no one can predict or account for.

 In any case, you really can't change your GPA at this point in the process. Focus on making the things within your control stand out.