Is a 3.6 GPA good for SDSU?

I'm considering applying to San Diego State University and my current GPA is 3.6. I'm wondering if that's competitive enough for admission. I've heard that SDSU is getting more competitive with its admissions, so I'm a bit nervous about how I stand.

Does a 3.6 GPA put me in a good position, or should I consider retaking some courses or focus on improving my SAT/ACT scores to strengthen my application? Any advice would be really helpful!

In terms of GPA, the average admitted student's GPA for the Fall 2023 admission cycle was approximately 3.86 according to data from their Common Data Set. This doesn't mean a 3.6 GPA is impossible to work with when applying to SDSU, but it is on the lower end of what the University typically admits.

While your GPA is a key factor in application review, SDSU, as part of the Cal State system, also places a notable emphasis on your course rigor and your extracurricular involvement.

For the course rigor, UC and Cal State schools use the A-G course list, which outlines the high school courses students must take (and pass with a C or better) to be eligible to apply. For example, 2 years of history and 4 years of English are part of the A-G course list. Beyond just satisfying these requirements though, taking the opportunity to pursue advanced coursework in subjects of interest can show the admissions committee a strong commitment to academic exploration.

For extracurriculars, SDSU will want to see that you pursued meaningful activities outside of class too. Typically, successful applicants to selective colleges have 8-10 total extracurriculars, with deep involvement and leadership roles in a few of them.

Taking all of these factors into consideration, your goal should be to present an application that holistically reflects your academic capability, interests, and potential contribution to the SDSU community. Working on improving your grades, showing strong course rigor, and ensuring meaningful extracurricular participation will make you a competitive applicant.

Remember that every admission situation is unique, and every application will be considered individually in a process that weighs various factors. So while statistics can offer an average perspective, they're not the sole determining factor of admittance.