rexcordium

definitely possible, I had a 3.2 my fall semester last year and I now have a 3.6. but it wasn't easy. I got a 3.6 term gpa last semester and a 4.0 this semester, with a total of 18 + 23 units. just work your butt off, you can do it.

does anyone know what time rec letters are due on the 27th?

If you use "we" make sure the we makes sense in context. So first say something like, "My graduate student mentor John Smith and I..." and then you can switch to "we." Otherwise it comes out of nowhere. I used "we" in mine in a few places, but I used "I" when I specifically did something (like designed a figure or ran an experiment etc. etc.) I read somewhere or talked to someone that someone once submitted an application saying that and the reviewers weren't too happy about that...so I'm not sure. I might just look for another program you can do it at. there's always another school working on something (see if your lab is doing any collaborations for instance)