Is an 87 or 87.5 GPA Good?

Hi all, just got my latest GPA update and it's an 87 (or 87.5). Is this considered a good GPA for college applications? I'm aiming for some competitive schools and I'm a little worried about how my GPA might affect my chances. Any advice or thoughts are appreciated!

An 87 or 87.5 GPA is generally considered a solid GPA, as it roughly translates to a 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. However, the competitiveness of your GPA for college applications depends on the specific schools you are applying to and the rest of your application components.

For top-tier, highly selective schools, a 3.3 might be on the lower end of their accepted GPA ranges, as these institutions typically look for GPAs of 3.8 and above. A lower GPA does not automatically eliminate you from consideration, but it does mean you'll need to have stronger components in other areas, such as standardized test scores, extracurriculars, and essays, to make up for it. You may also want to consider your class rigor—having taken a challenging course load with honors or AP classes can help balance a slightly lower GPA.

For less competitive schools, a 3.3 GPA might be considered above average, which would put you in a good position for admission. Overall, it's essential to research the accepted GPA ranges for the specific schools you are interested in and adjust your college list accordingly.

In the meantime, focus on maintaining or raising your GPA in your remaining time in high school. Taking rigorous courses and demonstrating improvement in your grades over time can show colleges that you're dedicated, adaptable, and able to handle challenging academic work. If you want tips on how to raise your GPA, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/improve-your-high-school-gpa-with-these-5-strategies

Don't forget to put effort into other aspects of your application as well, such as crafting strong essays, participating in meaningful extracurriculars, and securing good letters of recommendation. College admissions committees look at your application holistically, so a lower GPA can potentially be compensated for with exceptional achievements in other areas. Good luck!