Ive heard 3.5 is the "bare minimum," that if you have anything below that then it is exceedingly difficult to make it, even at mid and lower-tier programs. Im willing to bet that top 10's are sticklers for higher gpa's. A person at Standford told me the average applicant gpa is 3.8. But of course, that shit aint written in stone, and there are exceptions to everything. Case in point, moi! Supposedly, the average gre subject exam score of students admitted into my program is the 70th percentile. I scored in the 18th percentile, and not only did I get in, I got a pretty bad ass fellowship as well. Don't let miniscule numbers hold you back. Youre more than that.