Brandeis University is the Waltham, Massachusetts-based private research university that, despite maintaining no official religious affiliation, has always been a particularly popular destination for academically ambitious Jewish college applicants. However, while it began as one of the few elite colleges in the 1940s not to impose quotas on Jewish applicants, the Brandeis of 2025 is as diverse as it is prestigious. But college prestige so often comes with fierce admissions competition. Is this the case at Brandeis? You’ve come to the right place to find out!

So, preamble aside, what kind of GPA does a student need when applying to Brandeis University? Can the data shed some light on this question? (Hint: it sure can!)

Brandeis University Admissions Rate

First, just how difficult is it to get into Brandeis? For applicants to Brandeis’ Class of 2029, a healthy but still moderately selective 40.47% earned admission. The year prior, that number dipped by a considerable margin, and only 35.33% were granted admission. Not the kind of numbers you’d find at an Ivy League school, but a respectable amount of competition nonetheless!

What is a Good GPA for Getting into Brandeis University?

GPA Percentage of Brandeis University Class of 2028

The following is the GPA breakdown of the members of Brandeis’ Class of 2028, as reported in Brandeis’ 2024-25 Common Data Set:

GPA	Percentage of Brandeis University Class of 2028
4.0	33.8%
3.75-3.99	31.4%
3.5-3.74	22.9%
3.25-3.49	7.4%
3.0-3.24	2.4%
2.5-2.99	2.1%
2.0-2.49	0%
1.0-1.99	0%

GPA Percentage of Brandeis University Class of 2027

The following is the GPA breakdown of the members of Brandeis’ Class of 2027:

GPA	Percentage of Brandeis University Class of 2027
4.0	37%
3.75-3.99	30%
3.5-3.74	20%
3.25-3.49	9%
3.0-3.24	3%
2.5-2.99	1%
2.0-2.49	0%

GPA Percentage of Brandeis University Class of 2026

The following is the GPA breakdown of the members of Brandeis’ Class of 2026:

GPA	Percentage of Brandeis University Class of 2026
4.0	36.3%
3.75-3.99	29.6%
3.5-3.74	18.3%
3.25-3.49	8.7%
3.0-3.24	4.4%
2.5-2.99	2.3%
2.0-2.49	0.4%
1.0 and 1.99	0.1%

Further Context on GPAs of Brandeis University Students

To review, last year, 34% of students who enrolled in Brandeis’ Class of 2028 applied with perfect GPAs, while 37% of students in Brandeis’ Class of 2027 and 36% of students in Brandeis’ Class of 2026 boasted perfect GPAs. Sure, these figures might seem daunting, but the other rows on those charts are far more illuminating. Across all three years, students with GPAs below 3.5 were admitted at a rate exceeding 12%. To put this figure in perspective, most top schools wouldn’t dream of admitting that many students with less than stellar grades. And the majority of those who did make the cut at such elite schools would have some admissions advantage in their favor, such as being the child of a major donor.

Clearly, GPA is not everything in Brandeis’ admissions process. It’s because of the school’s holistic approach that we won’t give a definitive answer to parents who sound off their child’s GPA during complimentary consultations with Ivy Coach and ask if they can get into Brandeis University. Without context, including the high school attended, the rigor of the student’s coursework, their extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation, we wouldn’t be able to provide a more informed answer than someone off the street.

Can I Get into Brandeis University with a Low GPA?

Yes, without a doubt, you have a chance of getting into Brandeis if your GPA is below 3.5. You might even get in if it’s below a 3.0 (if you’re a recruited athlete, that is!). The statistical spread of high school GPA data for Brandeis students is refreshing to say the least, as it runs counter to the premium placed on academic achievement at most other schools of Brandeis’ caliber. Still, a low GPA is certainly not doing you any favors in the Brandeis admissions process, and the students who apply with great grades and test scores are far more likely to get in at the end of the day.

How Ivy Coach Can Gauge Your Child’s Chances at Brandeis University

If you’re interested in helping your child optimize their odds of Brandeis admission, we recommend setting up Ivy Coach’s Strategy Session. You’ll come away with a clearer idea of whether your child has a chance of getting into Brandeis University and receive a game plan of how your child can optimize their admission to the best school possible. To learn more about Ivy Coach’s Strategy Session, fill out our complimentary consultation form, and we’ll be in touch.