Technically I did have a 4.0 graduating from high school, but that was because I took a lot of honors classes that were weighted. My real GPA was something like 3.7. In college, I find it much simpler to get a 4.0. (I have around 70-80 credits so far, and I've had a 4.0 each semester.) It is a lot of work, and last semester I pulled 5 all-nighters (the most I have ever done), but it's paid off. Keep in mind you may or may not have a social life, depending on how easy/difficult the classes are and how much work they entail. The reason I have a 4.0 is because I'm very thorough in studying/writing papers, and I "vet" professors before I take them. The majority of my profs have been very good, with a few exceptions.
Keep in mind that it also depends on where you go. A 4.0 at Harvard is a lot more difficult to get than a 4.0 at a random public university most people have never heard of. Also, your major could impact your GPA. A 4.0 in mass communications is easy. A 4.0 in engineering would be hell.
