Help for someone with a ~3.5 GPA?

I’d say rule out the Ivy League, and other colleges with acceptance rates in the single digits, but you can apply to some reaches just below that tier provided you identify solid matches and safe schools that you would be happy to attend and where you know you can afford to go. My son was accepted academically at some very prestigious colleges with a lower unweighted GPA and ACT score. UK or Bowling Green are obvious safeties for you. If they have rolling admissions, then you should probably get an application in early to secure the best possible aid package. After that, look at some private colleges with non-binding Early Action. Some, like Tulane and Fordham, offer free applications, and so there’s nothing to lose. There’s no harm in applying to a few reaches, especially if you can demonstrate interest and they are not utterly implausible.