GPA below 3.0 - Help

[murtaza]

I want to apply for Masters in Computer Science in USA. I am not looking for a top ranked university, a good state university will do just fine.

 

However my main problem is my GPA. (2.64). I am doing my bachelors from perhaps the best engineering institute of my country. Over here we are ranked on a scale of 4.0, but the class average lies around 2.5 - 2.6. So I am an average student ranking 15 out of a class strength of 29

 

Now the problem is that all good universities ask for a GPA 3.0 or above, which i will assume is Average or above Average. I intend to give my GRE soon and i can expect a score of around 310. 

 

Please guide me on how i can portray my GPA situation to the selection committee ( I am an average student) or help me find a suitable university for my masters

 

Thanks in Advance.

[juiceboxrampage]

I think you should aim for higher GRE scores. If you must, pay the stupid rescheduling fee to give yourself more time to study. With a low GPA, you need to be able to show that you're still an exceptional candidate, which you can do with exceptional GRE scores.

You could also ask whoever is writing your letters of recommendation to explain the difference in grading.

Good luck!

[velua]

You should do well on the GRE. 170 should be pretty attainable for just about anyone who took a calculus class, let alone was a CS major. So I doubt that's going to be enough to make them overlook your GPA. Maybe if you have research experience or enrolled as a part-time student taking some CS classes getting straight As to prove you've matured.

 

Have you thought about what schools you'd like to apply to? If you want to apply to start next Spring, your choices will be fairly limited. Only a handful of top 50 programs will offer spring admissions, although maybe you'd have to aim lower. A bunch of schools ranked around 70-100 do offer spring admission I believe.