Does a GPA of 3.35 stand out in college applications?

Hi everyone. I'm a junior this year and so far, my cumulative GPA is a 3.35 and I've been worried about whether this is competitive enough for college applications. Does anyone know what kind of colleges look for this kind of GPA?

Your GPA, in the context of college admissions, can be viewed as 'competitive' depending on the specific schools you're interested in. A GPA of 3.35 might not make you a strong contender at highly selective colleges (although it doesn't eliminate you outright), but there are plenty of colleges where your GPA would be completely acceptable, even well-regarded.

Colleges also consider the rigor of your courses, the trend in your grades (improvement over time looks great), your test scores (if the school isn't test-blind), and other factors like essays, recommendations, and extracurriculars. Admissions officers understand that no student is perfect, and they appreciate applicants who show resilience, growth, and dedication.

As for what types of colleges might consider a 3.35 GPA competitive, many state universities, smaller private colleges, and regional colleges may find this GPA quite acceptable, especially if combined with noteworthy achievements in other areas.

College search tools can be a valuable resource to help you discover colleges where your GPA aligns well with the average admitted student's stats. For instance, CollegeVine's School Search tool allows you to input your GPA and see matches based on that among other factors.

Remember, though, that while grades are important, they're not the whole story. Admissions officers appreciate well-rounded applicants who can contribute uniquely to their campuses. If your GPA is somewhat lower, but you have a compelling story or have made exceptional contributions in other areas (or 'spikes'), these aspects will certainly be taken into consideration.