* High school transcript: Your overall academic performance, including course rigor (taking challenging courses like AP or IB).
* SAT/ACT scores: While test-optional, submitting strong scores can strengthen your application.
* Extracurricular activities: Demonstrating involvement and leadership in clubs, sports, or community service.
* Essays and letters of recommendation: Showcasing your personality, goals, and potential.
* Major: The competitiveness of your chosen major can affect admission standards. More popular or competitive majors might have higher average GPAs among admitted students.
While there's no official minimum, you should aim for a GPA that's competitive within the context of your high school. A GPA significantly below a 3.0 might make admission challenging, while a GPA above a 3.5 generally puts you in a stronger position. However, a strong application in other areas can compensate for a slightly lower GPA.
To get a better sense of the GPA of accepted students, it's best to check Montclair State's common data set (if available) or contact the admissions office directly. They can provide more specific information about the average GPA of recently admitted students.