Is a 3.5 GPA Good Enough?

I'm currently a junior in high school with a 3.5 GPA, and I'm wondering if this is strong enough for getting into decent colleges. Is it average, or should I aim higher? Any advice would be helpful!

Your 3.5 GPA is considered a good GPA and is above the national average. While it's certainly a solid starting point, it's important to consider the schools you're interested in as the definition of "good" may vary. For example, the average high school GPA for accepted students at highly selective universities is often higher.

However, a higher GPA alone doesn’t guarantee admission. Schools also consider factors like course rigor, test scores (when not test blind), extracurriculars, and essays. Each part of your application provides additional context. For example, if you've taken a challenging course load (like IB or AP classes) and maintain good grades, this might be seen differently than achieving the same GPA with less rigorous courses.

One other thing to consider is your GPA trend. Grades that progressively improve are usually seen as a positive sign, so working to raise your GPA in your final semesters can also help.

Complementing your GPA with strong extracurriculars can also boost your profile. Ideally, you should be working towards growing your "spike," or your highly developed interest or skill. This helps you stand from the crowd of other applicants.

So, while a 3.5 GPA is a strong starting point, it would be equally important to focus on other aspects of your application. Good luck!