I am really worried about my GPA, junior year is about to end and I only have a 3.5, how much would I be able to rise it by senior year? NYU is really one of my dream schools and I am worried I might not be able to get in 
You have one more quarter and finals to hopefully raise the GPA. Do you have any grades that are on the brink of a A- or A? Work a little harder in those classes and you can hopefully get that GPA up. Also, you have the first semester senior grades but if you a difficult schedule it might be difficult.