* The specific business school: Highly competitive schools (like top 20 programs) will have much higher average GPAs among accepted students. Less competitive schools will have lower average GPAs.
* Your other qualifications: Your GMAT or GRE scores (if required), your work experience, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and personal essay all play a significant role in the admissions process. A strong application in other areas can compensate for a GPA that's slightly below the average for a particular program.
* Your undergraduate institution: The prestige of your undergraduate school can also influence your chances.
* The specific business degree: Some programs (like MBA programs) are much more competitive than others (like a general business undergraduate degree).
In short: A 3.5 GPA is a *strong* starting point, but it's not a guarantee of admission to any business degree program. You need a strong overall application to maximize your chances.