Thegreatdreamer01

I haven't applied to grad school YET. I plan to apply for the fall of 2016. After much research and deliberation I have concluded only one thing, I must make the next 18 months of my life count in every possible way academically, to make up for the years of undergrad that I consider to be a massive waste of time and money. The results from my undergraduate years were a less than stellar GPA, with no accolades or awards, just a degree that in four years have only collected dust, and interest on student debt. Following a plan found on the UC Berkely website for getting into graudate school with a sub 3.0 GPA this is my plan, and I am wondering if it will work. That said the program I seeking to enter does not have a minimum GPA or GRE score. They have not made public any of this information, even after I inquired about it, but none the less. The program I seek requires exposure to C++ programming and at least 1 semester of calculus, and since the program is a molecular biology/Genetics program, I plan to take at least two senior level molecular biology/chemistry courses. 1. Raise my GPA .4 points. While I will not be at 3.0 at that point, I will certainly be closer than I am now. I plan to do this by doing what I started out in college doing, eating, living and breathing the classes I take. I plan to do this with the required pre reqs. I would like to get a programming certificate for C++ and getting a lab technician certification that would give me the wet lab skills I need for graduate school. I would by all means make an A. in the above mentioned Molecular biology/chemistry courses. 2. Take at least 2 courses in the program before matriculating. The university allows people to take the introductory courses and later transfer them to the program if accepted. 3. Blow the GRE out of the water. I am hoping to land in the 75th-80th percentile, which is where most life science majors seem to fall. This is mostly going to be my proof I have the aptitude to complete the work. 4. Letters of Recommendation. In the spring of 2015 I plan to volunteer in a lab with a professor who loves plant biology and genetics. I realize the volunteer work is purely self serving in nature but, I need it. The program requires 3, the other two I haven't decided (other than Acing a bunch of classes) how I might earn a letter or recommendation for the program. 5. Personal Statement and Purpose. This will be thought out and well rounded. I do plan on using this as an opportunity to discuss the low GPA and what obastcles I have removed and how things are different. I do plan to put a lot of emphasis and focus on the things I did leading up to my decision to send my application and how it reflects my growth and potential. 6. This is a HUGE maybe, but I have considered doing a small Independent study project, when I mean small something that will take me less than 9 months to complete and present. If I complete this plan I think I might have a real shot at acceptance, but it hinges on me successfully reaching each goal by Jan 15 2016.

Anyone really know or should i just settle for an 8 to 10 point over all increase?

Hello, Hopefully if all goes well I will be on Centennial Campus this spring as well, not as a student but rather as an employee. I will keep you posted.