Hando

Contrary to what the prior two answers said, I did mentioned my low GPA (below 3.0) during emails and Skype calls, and I don't think it hurt me. I got the interview last week to my top choice (and not an easy program to get into) and not once did my GPA come up even though everyone who interviewed me all had access to my transcript. So saying that, I'm not completely sure now if it's necessary to mention ahead of time. What's important is the whole package, and it's okay if one area is weak if the others are very strong. Having excellent GRE scores for one, but more important will be research experience, even better if you can get your name on a published paper. Letters of recommendation of course, and even better if they're from professors/researchers you've actually worked with. As someone else said, if potential advisors likes you they'll fight for your admission. Of course, once you're in grad school, make sure you do get good grades!

I’m planning to apply to a Ph.D. program in evolutionary ecology for the fall 2016 and I've started contacting potential advisors. The idea of applying for funding before getting accepted is new to me; I didn’t realize that I could get funds before I fully developed my research questions. I found NSF’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program and EPA’s Star Grants, but what are other funds I can apply to before I’ve been accepted? Also, one school I’m applying to is in Canada, which means if I go to this school I can’t accept the two NSF and EPA awards I just mentioned. Is there funding I can apply to that lets me (a US citizen) use the money at a Canadian school? The school has competitive awards but I would like to see my options.