Undergrad GPA in a different major

[Anirudha Menon]

Hi, I'm currently pursuing my masters in physics at UIC with a 4.0 GPA and about to publish in Biophysics. I intend to pursue my Ph.D elsewhere and am planning to take the PGRE this fall. Even if my PGRE goes really well, and I have strong recommendation letters, will I be able to get into a top school? The problem is my undergrad GPA which is 2.5/4. But, I didn't major in physics in my undergraduate course. I majored in Civil Engineering.

[bsharpe269]

Do you have a reason for the low uGPA? Were you just not interested in the area or not mature at that point? I think you have a shot at top schools but need to make sure you address the low uGPA.

[Anirudha Menon]

Thank you for the reply. Yes, I was uninterested, and unfortunately with the Indian system its impossible to change majors a couple of years in. I did well in the physics ug courses though. Maybe a 3.75 out of 4.

[astroyogi]

I would definitely recommend explaining this in some way in your application

[GeoDUDE!]

IN reality, if you do stellar on the pGRE, and have most of the relevant courses (class mech, stat therm, quantum, Electric/Mag) then I don't see why you couldn't get into a top school; especially if you are publishing is a good journal.