What can I do with a 3.5 GPA for college admissions?

I just calculated my GPA and it comes out to a 3.5. Can anyone with experience tell me what my college options might look like with this GPA? Is it considered competitive for top schools? Thanks for any advice!

Having a 3.5 GPA indicates that you've mostly earned As and Bs throughout high school, which is good! However, it's also important to understand that a GPA isn't the sole determinant of your college admissions success. Various factors come into the picture like your course rigor, extracurricular activities, and standardized test scores (assuming the colleges you're applying to aren't test-blind).

While a 3.5 GPA is solid, it might not be considered competitive for some of the most selective schools in the US, where the average high school GPA of incoming freshmen is often above 3.7. However, thousands of colleges in the U.S. admit students with a 3.5 GPA. For instance, many state universities, private colleges, and even some UC and Cal State campuses.

But remember, many colleges employ a holistic admissions review process, meaning they will look beyond just your GPA. They'll review what you've made out of available opportunities—things like whether you've taken AP or Honors classes, your involvement in extracurricular activities where you've shown commitment, leadership, and passion. They'll also review your essays to get a sense of your personality and character.

In sum, while your 3.5 GPA may not grant access to some ultra-competitive universities unless it's backed up by significant accomplishments elsewhere, there are plenty of great colleges where you'd be a competitive candidate. Be proud of the hard work that got you that 3.5 GPA and aim to present a strong, holistic application!