GPA: minimum vs. median?

<p>I'm considering MA programs in art history.
The top schools like NYU and Columbia all lists their minimum as 3.0 or 3.3,
but I am wondering what their actual median for accepted students.
Anybody?</p>

<p>I would imagine that the GPA's for either school are significantly higher, probably 3.5+. The trend that i've noticed is that at the best schools, GPA's in the Social Sciences and Humanities tend to have the highest averages for te Master's level.</p>

<p>I have the GPA in art history between 3.5-3.6 (pending on exactly how I do next semester..), though I tend to have better grades at higher level courses. Should I even bother applying to top schools?</p>

<p>If I were you i'd simply apply. Keep in mind that for many schools, the GPA is simply a formality to ensure the institution that you are capable of doing the work. So you shouldn't get hung up on it. However, depending on the school, they may look specifically at your statement of interest or LOR's to gauge your commitment to the program.</p>

<p>People will all kinds of GPA's get into top schools. Alot of them just have really solid applications/research/work experience.</p>