3.6 GPA Colleges: See Schools That Accept a 3.6 GPA
GPA, or grade point average, is a simplified number that is used by colleges and universities to get an idea of your general academic performance. It takes the average of all high school grades and fits them on a scale from 0.01 to 4.0 and the numbers correlate to letter grades. A 3.6 GPA correlates to an A- average, indicative of an academic record consisting of good grades in all subjects.
What is a 3.6 GPA?
A 3.6 GPA stands for a Grade Point Average of 3.6 on a 4.0 scale. It indicates that you've earned a predominantly A- average in your courses.
Is a 3.6 GPA Good?
A 3.6 GPA is not only well above the national average GPA of 3.0 for all high school graduates, but it’s also entering the realm of competitiveness for more selective colleges. Since one of the goals of establishing a high GPA is to have as many options as possible for college, a 3.6 GPA will be very helpful in accomplishing that objective. By those standards, yes, a 3.6 GPA is good.
What Colleges Can I Get Into With a 3.6 GPA?
A 3.6 GPA makes it possible to apply to a wide variety of colleges, from large public universities to more selective private schools. We’ve put together a list of these schools below. While no GPA guarantees admission, all of these institutions have a history of admitting students with a 3.6-3.7 GPA.
First and foremost, know that you’re in an excellent place for college acceptance. Across the board, the best course of action is to keep up the great work.
Freshmen and Sophomores
For freshmen and sophomores, take note of the study habits and testing strategies that helped earn a 3.6 GPA and continue nurturing them. However, since you’re in such a good place academically, focusing on extracurricular activities will be beneficial. Colleges and universities are looking for well-rounded students who have dedicated time and passion to after-school clubs and organizations, community service projects, or in sports teams.
However, if you’re set on improving your GPA as much as possible, it’s still possible to reach a 3.9 GPA, but it would require nearly flawless semesters (at 4.0) beginning at first semester of freshman year. Sophomores can get as high as 3.8 with perfect grades. Adding in AP or honors classes can offer higher GPAs if those class options are available at your high school.
Juniors
If you're a junior, it’s not possible to raise a 3.6 GPA more than a tenth in time for the college application process. Instead, concentrate on preparing for a standardized test like the ACT or SAT. Most colleges evaluate standardized test performance and GPA equally on your application, so be sure to devote enough time to prepare for these exams. Take a few practice tests and time yourself in order to feel as prepared as possible on the day of the exam. If you have enough room on your schedule, sign up for a test prep class offered by your school.
Seniors
For seniors, it’s time to focus on making sure the other parts of your application are just as impressive as a 3.6 GPA. Visit your school’s college resource center and have the college counselor give your essay a thorough critique. Attend sessions with admissions officers from various colleges and network with them to find out what they’re looking for in a competitive application. Be sure to list all of your after-school and volunteer activities because every little bit helps, especially with some of the more competitive schools that consider students with a 3.6 GPA.
What colleges can I get into with a 3.6 GPA?
You can apply to a large majority of colleges — including competitive ones — with reasonable expectations of acceptance. Among the broad list of colleges you should consider, take a look at Pennsylvania State University, New York University, and the University of Miami.
The only colleges and universities that may be a reach would be the Ivy League institutions, otherwise known as ultra-competitive institutions where even a 4.0 and 36 ACT don’t guarantee acceptance.
What Are Colleges Looking At Other Than a 3.6 High School GPA?
Applications that holistically show applicants are the name of game! While there’s definitely a spotlight on GPA and standardized test scores, colleges also want to see what you’re interested in and what you’ve been a part of throughout your high school career. Make sure to include as many of the following as possible in your application:
- SAT Scores / ACT Scores
- Extracurricular/After-school activities
- Your Sports
- Application Essays
- Volunteer Work / Community Service
- Jobs / Internships / Special Projects
What scholarships can you get with a 3.6 GPA?
You’re eligible for a majority of scholarships. There are a scant few that require a 4.0 GPA, but those are few and far between. Start applying to any and all scholarships you’re eligible for because even small amounts can go a long way to offset the cost of college tuition.
How Can I Improve My 3.6 GPA?
If you have a 3.7 GPA and would like to improve it, here are some tips:
Identify areas of weakness: Identify the subjects or courses where you struggled or received lower grades. Work on improving your skills and understanding of these topics.
Take challenging courses: Challenge yourself by taking advanced or honors-level courses in your areas of strength. This will help you demonstrate your academic abilities and show that you are willing to push yourself.
Focus on time management: Manage your time effectively by creating a schedule that balances academic work with other commitments such as work or extracurricular activities.
Attend office hours and seek help: Attend office hours and seek help from professors or tutors. They can provide guidance on how to improve your grades and understanding of the material.
Study effectively: Develop effective study habits such as creating a study plan, taking notes, and reviewing material regularly.
Stay organized: Keep track of your assignments, deadlines, and exams. This will help you avoid procrastination and stay on top of your academic work.
Remember, improving your GPA takes time and effort, so be patient and persistent in your efforts.
What is a Weighted vs. Unweighted GPA?
A weighted GPA considers the difficulty of the classes you take. For example, 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.
On the other hand, an unweighted GPA assigns a standard value to each letter grade regardless of the class's difficulty level. For example, 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.
