3.4 GPA Colleges: Browse Schools That Accept a 3.4 GPA
Grade point average (GPA) is an average of your high school grades that provides a numeric measure of your academic record. A 3.4 GPA equates to a B+ average, an indication that you have consistently achieved good grades in most (if not all) of your courses.
What Letter Grade is a 3.4 GPA?
A GPA of 3.4 is an 89%, or a B+ average and indicates that you’ve likely earned a combination of high B and low A grades in all of your classes.
Is a 3.4 GPA Good?
To put it simply, yes. A 3.4 is on the verge of an A- and demonstrates consistently good test-taking, studying, and research skills. A 3.4 is comfortably above the national average GPA for high school graduates and is considered competitive at a majority of colleges and universities. It also approaches the 3.5 GPA that more selective schools use as an unofficial benchmark.
What Colleges Can I Get Into with a 3.4 GPA?
A 3.4 GPA makes it possible to apply to a large number of colleges, including a few selective schools. GPA alone does not guarantee acceptance at any institution, but many universities have established a precedent of admitting students with a 3.4-3.5 GPA.
With a 3.4 GPA, you’re already in a position to apply to most colleges and will be competitive for the vast majority of them. At this point, it’s time to determine the type of college to attend. Several selective colleges use a 3.5 GPA as a benchmark and top-of-the-line institutions accept students with an average GPA of 4.0.
For freshmen and sophomores, there’s still time to increase your GPA to either of those standards by setting ambitious goals. All colleges and universities take a look at extracurriculars, but especially as the competition among candidates becomes more fierce, those afterschool clubs and organizations, sports, and community service projects become distinguishing factors when every applicant has a good academic record. Now is a great time to suss out where your interests lie.
Junior-level students with a 3.4 GPA are in a great place—with a GPA that’s already competitive among many college and university admission offices, the focus can go where it’s needed: standardized tests. Often considered with the same weightiness as a GPA, an SAT or ACT score can boost competitiveness as an applicant, and can also earn scholarship and merit aid money to go towards tuition bills. If you really want that 3.5 GPA, it’s achievable before graduation—it would just require stellar semesters with straight A-s. Make sure not to sacrifice your standardized test scores along the way, though!
As for seniors, a 3.4 GPA makes you a competitive applicant at most institutions. Concentrate on making every part of the application, especially the personal essay and after school activity list, as strong as possible. Have your college counselor read your essay and offer suggestions for improvement to make sure it portrays you in the best light. Reach out to any teachers who have been an important part of your high school career for letters of recommendation. With a 3.4 GPA, a strong application has the potential to make the difference in gaining admission to a more selective college or university.
What Are Colleges Looking at Other Than a 3.4 High School GPA?
GPA is only one aspect that college admissions officers assess when reviewing applications. They want to hear more about you, as an individual, and see what makes you tick. A 3.4 is certainly going to catch many admissions offices’ eyes, but make sure you include as many of the following as possible to create a stellar application:
- SAT Scores / ACT Scores
- Extracurricular/Afterschool activities
- Sports
- Application Essays
- Volunteer Work
- Jobs / Internships / Special Projects
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 3.4 GPA in high school considered good?
The average high school student graduates with a 3.0 GPA, making a 3.4 well above average. It also puts you in a good position to have a ton of options for college — the ultimate goal of graduating with a high GPA. All that considered, yes, a 3.4 is good GPA.
What colleges can I get into with a 3.4 GPA?
With a 3.4 GPA, you have a vast number of options to review. Among the many, you can consider the University of Arizona, Washington State University, and Central Michigan University, all which accept students with an average of 3.4 GPA.
What percentile is a 3.4 GPA?
A 3.4 GPA is a percentile of 89%, which is a grade of B+.
What scholarship can you get with a 3.4 GPA?
When it comes to scholarships with GPA requirements, a 3.4 makes you eligible for a good portion of scholarships. You may find some that require a 3.5 or higher, but those should be few and far between. Check out our extensive scholarship database to find scholarships!
