3.62 GPA - How 'Good' is It?

Hey guys, I have a 3.62 GPA and I'm not sure how 'good' this is when it comes to college admissions. Could you give me an idea of what kind of colleges I could apply to and what kind of colleges might see this GPA as competitive?

Your 3.62 GPA falls right in between what you might call an "A-" and a "B+" average, which is still considered a strong GPA. However, it's vital to remember that GPA is just one aspect of your overall application profile and different colleges may have different expectations and benchmarks.

In most cases, a GPA above 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) is generally considered "good" and would mean that you're in pretty solid shape for many colleges. Institutions that aren't ultra-selective often have average GPAs in the 3.0-3.5 range. So, your GPA would certainly make you a strong candidate for schools like these. Examples might be Arizona State University, University of Texas at Dallas, or North Carolina State University.

Colleges that are more selective often have average GPAs in the mid to high 3s, with the most competitive schools averaging close to a 4.0. Some of these might include University of Wisconsin, Madison (average GPA of 3.85 for admitted students), or University of Southern California (average GPA of 3.8 for admitted students).

However, keep in mind that the most competitive institutions, such as Ivy League schools, generally want to see a GPA closer to 4.0, although their accepted students' GPAs might range from a 3.7 to 4.0 (or higher, considering weighted GPAs). They might still consider your application depending on the other elements of your profile.

Finally, remember that it's also important to evaluate this GPA in context of your high school's grading scale, the rigor of your course load (AP or honors classes), and any upwards trends in your grades. For instance, a 3.6 consisting of mostly AP classes can be seen as stronger than a 3.6 earned with regular classes.

In summary, and without considering other aspects of your application, your GPA should make you competitive for many colleges but for the most selective ones, your application might need to shine in other areas.