3.6

just about average

its on the lower-side of average

It is on the lower side of average (many have 3.8+), but a 3.6 in itself is no reason to not get an interview. So it's still in range and you still have a shot, assuming the rest of the resume is impressive and that you're at a target of course.

not to list my 3.6 GPA on my resume because it wasn't particularly flattering...

This thread has to be a joke. It all depends what school you go to. The middle 50% at targets have between 3.5 - 3.6. Some people have 3.8s and some have 3.3s. Also, if you have a 3.6, please list it.

General rule of thumb is that if it's a 3.5 or higher, list it.

i thot no gpa listed = lower than 3.0 = auto throw out...

I believe the above is correct. I know my bank does not read resumes with no GPA or ones below a 3.0. Side note though: if you have below a 3.5 you better have something else extraordinary going on....

I've heard the median is around 3.7 for most banks and the average around 3.6 because there are usually more people with 3.0's but great resumes otherwise than 4.0s.

3.6 will pass the initial hurdle but it's not going to make you stand out. Not by a longhsot.

Are we speaking of the IBD or the S&T area?

both

Do firms ALWAYS pull your transcripts? I have had three employers since college (granted they were not IBanks) and none have pulled my transcripts to validate my GPA. (not that it wasn't correctly listed on my resume)