rbaudo

I also agree with Chai_Latte about the harshness of your professor. As stated before, I came to my current school (a top ranked doctoral program) with a sub-par GPA and GRE. It is entirely possible to get into these type of programs with lacking areas. My old roommate received very similar feedback from one of his professors (when we were both applying). He was pretty much told that he had no chance to get into a PhD program and should just hope he gets into a master's. Well, it nearly crushed his dreams until he received a letter of invite to interview at a very well ranked biological sciences school. He received his letter of admission the next day! He is now working on his doctorate in cancer biology. I have heard mixed opinions on getting your masters. Some say it will only hurt you and some say it can breathe new life into your applications. At all the schools I interviewed at, there were always a number of MA/MS graduates being invited to interview for the doctoral programs. I have even met some who were accepted in my department. I say just keep plugging away and getting advice from the people who have been through it (professors and other students). Definitely don't give up, as you still have just as well a shot as anyone else, IMO!

I know I do not fall into the sub-3.0 GPA crowd, but I would say that it comes very close. My GRE was also not the greatest. However, I got into 3 PhD programs (Northwestern University, University at Buffalo, and Vanderbilt) for communication sciences and disorders, with interest in psychoacoustics and auditory neuroscience. I ultimately chose Northwestern because of feel and quality of program. It is very possible to get into some programs with some sub-par points. I did have about 5 years of lab experience (also working as the lab manager in a auditory and visuo-spatial lab, while an undergrad) and had 2 regional conference presentations and 1 international conference presentation. I worried like there was no tomorrow! I had doubts from the minute I submitted my applications. But, most programs look at the whole spectrum of information. I have no doubt my research experience, letters of recommendation, and statement of purpose helped them overlook my lacking areas. So, I say, you do have a chance to get in with a very low 3.0 and even lower, if other areas really make up for it.