3.2 GPA Colleges: See Schools That Accept a 3.2 GPA

Grade point average (GPA) is a measurement of academic performance through a cumulative average of all grades. A 3.2 GPA represents a B average and is a few tenths from a B+. Here we will explore what a 3.2 GPA means, its significance in academic and professional settings, and strategies for improving or maintaining this level of academic performance.

What is a 3.2 GPA?

A 3.2 GPA is a grade point average that falls between a B and a B- on the 4.0 grading scale commonly used in the United States. It represents a moderately good academic performance, indicating that the student has maintained above-average grades but may have some room for improvement.

Is a 3.2 GPA Good?

While a 3.2 GPA may not be considered outstanding, it still demonstrates a strong work ethic and dedication to academic success. Because of this, a 3.2 GPA means that you’ll have numerous college options, and your application will be competitive for admission at a sizable number of schools.

What percentile is a 3.2 GPA?

A 3.2 GPA is a straight B with a percentile of 87%.

What Colleges Can I Get Into With a 3.2 GPA?

A 3.2 GPA is a competitive academic record for a number of colleges and universities, and we’ve assembled a representative list below. Be aware that this GPA won’t automatically qualify for admission, but all of these schools have historically accepted students with GPAs in the 3.2-3.3 area.

If you’re in the midst of your freshman or sophomore year, keep doing the work needed to maintain a 3.2 GPA. This GPA level already exceeds the 3.0 competitive benchmark for a large number of colleges, so it’s important to maintain the study habits that earned that number in the first place. You also have time to set an ambitious goal in the upper end of the 3.0 range if there are any Ivy League institutions on your college dream list. Whatever your goal may be following high school graduation, make it a priority to join after-school clubs, participate in a sport, or find a community service project to take part in. Not only will this help you stand out as a well-rounded candidate for the college application process, but it could also lead to finding something you’re passionate about!

For juniors, there’s an added stressor: standardized testing. While it’s conceivable to improve a 3.2 GPA to a 3.5 before graduation, this may be a difficult year to try and accomplish the task. Remember that this is also when you need to start devoting study time to prepare for the ACT or SAT. Because most colleges weigh GPA and standardized test results fairly equally, ignoring one in order to concentrate on the other isn’t a good option. Pick up a book of practice tests and time yourself taking the exam to get used to the process for test day.

As for seniors, you’re in a great spot already. The fact of the matter is it would require straight As, a 4.0 semester GPA, to raise a cumulative 3.2 GPA by one-tenth of a point to a 3.3. A 3.3 doesn’t significantly change competitiveness, to be blunt, so focusing on the total package, your applications as a whole, is likely the best plan of attack at this point. If your SAT or ACT score isn’t exactly where you’d like it to be, sign up to retake the exam and rededicate study time toward improving that result. This is also a good time to visit your school’s college counselor and ask for their feedback on your college application, in particular, the essay portion. With a 3.2 GPA, a good essay and standardized test score will help ensure that you’re in a competitive position for admission at a wide variety of schools.

What Are Colleges Looking at Other Than High School GPA?

GPA is only one aspect that college admissions officers assess when reviewing applications. They want to hear more about you as an individual and see what makes you tick. A 3.2 is certainly going to catch many admissions offices’ eyes, but make sure you include as many of the following as possible to create a stellar application: 

• SAT Scores / ACT Scores
• Extracurricular/After-school activities
• Your Sports
• Application Essays
• Volunteer Work / Community Service
• Jobs / Internships / Special Projects 

How Can I Improve My 3.2 GPA?

To improve your GPA, you'll want to figure out what's been keeping you from getting the grades you've wanted so far. For general ideas, try a combination of studying more effectively, seeking additional help from teachers or tutors, and making sure you're doing all of your classwork and assignments. You can also consider taking more challenging weighted classes- but only if you're sure you can make A's in them. 

What scholarships can you get with a 3.2 GPA?

You’re eligible for a large number of scholarships with a 3.2 GPA. While some may require a 3.5 GPA or higher, the majority require a 3.0 as their minimum. Apply for plenty of scholarships prior to (and during) college to save some money on tuition! 

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What is a Weighted vs. Unweighted GPA?

A weighted GPA considers the difficulty of the classes you take. Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) classes typically have a higher weight, meaning that a higher grade in these classes will result in a higher GPA. A weighted GPA is often used in college admissions to assess the academic rigor of a student's high school curriculum.

An unweighted GPA, on the other hand, assigns a standard value to each letter grade regardless of the level of difficulty of the class. An A in an honors class is assigned the same value as an A in a regular class. An unweighted GPA is often used in high school to give a general overview of a student's academic performance.

Explore Colleges for Every GPA with Appily

Ready to explore colleges that accept a GPA like yours? We have a comprehensive database to help you find and research schools. There, you can see essential data points like acceptance rate, average financial aid award, average test scores, and application deadlines, including those for rolling admission, early decision, and early action schools.