Adrian Russian June 5, 2023 6 College Lists,Grades and GPA

Is a 3.6 GPA Good? Colleges that Accept a 3.6 GPA

What’s Covered:

• Is 3.6 a Good GPA?
• How Do Colleges Evaluate GPA?
• Which Colleges Accept a 3.6 GPA?
• How to Improve Your GPA
• What If You Don’t Have Time to Improve Your GPA?

While it’s true that GPA is one of the most important factors considered by college admissions officers, it’s a myth that you’re doomed if you don’t have a 4.0. With a 3.6, you’ll be a strong applicant at many colleges, and may even have a shot at some of the most selective schools. This post will present you with a list of colleges where accepted students have an average GPA of 3.6.

Not sure what your unweighted GPA is on a 4.0 scale? Use our GPA converter.

Is 3.6 a Good GPA? 

A 2016 study found that the national average GPA for SAT test takers is a 3.38, which corresponds to about a B+ in terms of letter grades. So, with a 3.6, which is slightly below an A- on the letter grade scale, you’re above the national average, which is a testament to your hard work throughout high school–be proud of yourself!

In the context of college applications, whether or not a 3.6 is a good GPA depends on which school is reviewing your application. There are some schools out there that typically want to see an even higher GPA, but remember that admissions officers also know there’s more to an applicant’s story.

If you want to see how your GPA stacks up at your dream schools, check out our free Chancing Engine. It will also take your test scores, extracurriculars, and course rigor into account, and let you know how to improve your profile.

How Do Colleges Evaluate GPAs?

As noted above, the answer to this question will vary from school to school. Many admissions committees actually recalculate applicants’ GPAs using their own method, so that they can give appropriate weight to the factors they feel are most important. 

For example, some colleges weight AP or honors classes more heavily, or include only core classes (math, science, history, English, and foreign language), not electives, in their calculation. This first strategy may be one you are familiar with, if your high school gives you a weighted GPA. If you have not heard of weighted GPAs before, and want to know more, you can check out our post on the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA.

Finally, it’s important to note that your GPA isn’t the only factor colleges use to evaluate your academic achievements. Your standardized test scores are also considered, so at more competitive schools, a strong SAT or ACT score can help your chances of acceptance. The combination of an applicant’s GPA and test score is often referred to as their Academic Index.

Which Colleges Accept a 3.6 GPA?

Below is a list of the top colleges that have freshman classes with an average high school GPA of 3.6.

It’s worth noting that the schools on this list aren’t the only institutions students with a 3.6 GPA should consider. A number of universities don’t publish accepted students’ average GPAs due to variations in how high schools calculate GPA, so do your research before definitively deciding whether or not to include a school on your list.

How to Improve Your GPA

Especially if you are a freshman or sophomore, you may still be hoping to raise your GPA, to give you a better chance of acceptance at more selective colleges. Here are some suggestions of how you can improve your GPA.

Seek Academic Help

If you have a class or two where you aren’t doing as well as you would like, remember that your teachers are there to help you! You won’t be the first student to ever need extra help, so they’ll likely already have some suggestions ready for you. Sometimes even a seemingly small change to your study habits, like the way you take notes, can go a long way.

If your school offers study groups or tutoring, those are also excellent resources to take advantage of. And if not, think about setting up an informal study group with friends, or utilizing some of the many free academic help resources available online, like Khan Academy.

Take Easier Classes

Very few students go through high school without running into a class or subject that’s especially difficult for them. That doesn’t mean you should panic over one low test score, or shoot for the “easy A.” However, if, for example, math has always been challenging for you and you’re in an honors calculus course, consider switching down a level. That will not only make that class more manageable, but also leave you with more time and energy to dedicate to your other courses.

Increase Your Course Load

If you have an opening in your schedule, from a free period or an early dismissal for seniors, filling that gap with a class in a subject you enjoy and are successful in can help raise your GPA. You want to be careful not to overextend yourself, especially if you have a busy extracurricular schedule, or the classes you’re already taking are known for being challenging. But if there is a class that appeals to you and won’t limit your ability to take care of your other commitments, think about signing up!

What If You Don’t Have Time to Improve Your GPA?

Of course, you always want to shoot for the highest grades you can, but unfortunately, if you’re a junior or senior, you just don’t have much time left to substantially raise your GPA. And remember that schools also consider test scores when calculating your Academic Index.

So, since there are only so many hours in the day, spending a little extra time studying for the SAT or ACT may be more productive than dedicating that time to your homework, as an especially strong test score can have a big impact on your chances of acceptance.