3.1 GPA Colleges: Browse Schools That Accept a 3.1 GPA
Grade point average (GPA) is a measure of high school academic performance depicted as an average of all your final grades. A GPA of 3.1 is considered a B and makes your application marketable to a number of colleges and universities.
Is a 3.1 GPA Good?
A grade of B demonstrates good performance, making a 3.1 a “good” GPA. Most colleges (if not all) accept applications from students attaining a 3.1 GPA, especially considering that it exceeds the national average for graduating high school seniors. With that in mind, a 3.1 GPA is not only accepted but is often competitive for admission at a sizable number of schools.
What Colleges Can I Get Into With a 3.1 GPA?
There are a variety of colleges that accept a 3.1 GPA for admission and we’ve put together a sample of them below. While a 3.1 GPA doesn’t lead to automatic acceptance, recent trends show that these schools frequently admit students with a GPA in the 3.1-3.2 range.
For underclassmen, the key at this GPA level is to maintain the good study habits that earned a 3.1 GPA in the first place. Next, analyze your goals for post-graduation—if having a competitive GPA would give you a leg up in the area you’re intending to study, then put in some effort to enhance your already good GPA. Keep in mind that the higher your GPA is, the more likely you’ll earn extra scholarships and merit aid for it, as well, easing the high cost of college tuition bills. Now is a good time to take on after school activities and find something you’re passionate about. Colleges look for well-rounded applicants and you’re in a good spot academically, so take on community service projects, a sport, or club.
As for juniors, remember that a 3.1 GPA already makes you competitive for a majority of colleges. To further bolster your application, now is the time to concentrate on preparing for standardized testing: the ACT or SAT. Most colleges weigh standardized tests and GPA fairly equally, so avoid neglecting one in favor of the other. Devote a block of study time to standardized test prep and take a few practice tests to get a sense of what the ACT and SAT are all about. If you want to try to further improve a 3.1 GPA as a junior, that means committing to exceptional performance in all classes. It’s still possible to increase your GPA up to as high as a 3.4, but make sure that you’re not neglecting necessary preparations for the SAT/ACT.
For seniors, while it might feel as though most of the important work has been done already, it’s imperative to keep putting in the effort and avoid senioritis. Just as importantly, make sure that all other parts of your application present your high school career in the best possible light. This is also a good time to visit the college resource center and get to know your college counselors. They’ll provide feedback to craft an application essay that reads as effectively as possible.
What Are Colleges Looking At Other Than a 3.1 High School GPA?
Your GPA is just a quick snapshot of your academic competency — to know whether or not you’d thrive at a college or university, admissions officers need to know more about you. Providing a holistic view of who you are as a person, your interests, goals in life, hobbies, is also a good way to stand out, so provide as many of the following as possible in your college application:
- SAT Scores / ACT Scores
- Extracurricular/Afterschool activities
- Sports
- Application Essays
- Volunteer Work / Community Service
- Jobs / Internships / Special Projects
- FAFSA
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 3.1 GPA in high school considered good?
As a sign of solid B+ letter grades throughout high school, a 3.1 GPA means that you understand and can apply knowledge competently. It’s also above the national average GPA of all graduating students, which is 3.0, so there’s definitely a few good reasons to pat yourself on the back!
What colleges can I get into with a 3.1 GPA?
You’re eligible (and competitive) to apply to a ton of colleges. You have many to considered, including the University of Hartford, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Central Washington University, all three of which accept students with an average GPA of 3.1.
What percentile is a 3.1 GPA?
A 3.1 GPA is a percentile of 86, landing you squarely with a B+ GPA.
What scholarships can you get with a 3.1 GPA?
With a 3.1 GPA you’re eligible to apply for many scholarships. There are some that will require higher GPAs, like 3.5, but the majority with GPA requirements are usually around 3.0. Start applying to as many scholarships as you can today and start building up a nest egg to help offset the cost of college tuition!
