Is a 3.6 GPA considered good?

I've been working hard throughout high school, but my GPA is only a 3.6. Is this a good GPA for college admissions? Will top colleges still look at my application, or should I retarget my list to less competitive schools?

A 3.6 GPA can be considered good in general, as it translates to an average letter grade of A-, which is a solid academic record. It's important to keep in mind, however, that college admissions are relative to the specific schools you are applying to, and how your GPA compares to the average GPA of students admitted to those schools.

For top colleges and universities, a 3.6 GPA may not be as competitive as they typically admit applicants with higher GPAs. Nevertheless, many factors play a role in admissions, such as test scores, extracurricular involvement, recommendation letters, and essays. Before you retarget your list of schools, make sure to explore the admissions data for each college you're considering to determine where your 3.6 GPA falls within the range of accepted students.

Additionally, remember that some schools practice holistic admissions, which means they consider your application as a whole instead of solely focusing on your GPA. Thus, even if your GPA is slightly lower than the average for a specific college, you can still demonstrate your strengths and potential through other parts of your application.

You can also look at less competitive schools where your GPA would be considered strong. Include a mix of reach, target, and safety schools in your list to balance your chances of admission. Finally, it's important to remember that the right college for you isn't only about rankings or prestige, but also about finding a school that can offer the academic programs, environment, and opportunities that best align with your goals and interests.