I saw this post come up in a google search a while back and I just had to respond. What the OP has stated is absolute baloney.
I am currently attending a top 10 (Ivy) phd program. My stats were as follows:
Undergrad: 3.6gpa
Graduate (MBA): 3.2
GRE: 1500 combined
Institutions: mid-tier
Work experience: Lehman Brothers, Ernst & Young, Credit Suisse (total 5 years), worked in 3 different coutries
Research: 1 paper published in respectible journal before applying (sole author)
Statement of Purpose: Honest
Personal background: African-American from a low income family
Now let me address the OP's statement that graduate admissions only consider a gpa over 3.9. Firstly, GPA is one piece of a complex subjective puzzle. When I was an undergrad student I worked 2 part time jobs to put myself through college. Although my family was extremely supportive, they did not have the financial means to provide me with any assistance.
The ability to come up with original research ideas is a skill that is completely unrelated to GPA. This is the most difficult part of the phd process. The only thing GPA indicates is a students ability to handle coursework. For those who are currently not pursuing a phd, this accounts for only a small portion of your 4-5 years. Students with perfect gpa's and test scores are a dime a dozen.
What admission committees are looking for are student's who are different. Individuals who stand out. I was informed after my admission that what essentially sealed it for me was the diversity of my background and potential. No matter what you may read on these forums, the only thing that will set you apart is your SOP and your optional essay. These are the only non quantitative measures of the person behind the numbers. These are weighted more heavily than anything else.
If you have a 3.9 GPA, then great, but what did you do to acheive that? What did you overcome? Whate ELSE did you do during your 4 years? What is your personal background? These are more imprtant then that that little two digit number on your transcript.
Top programs have very low gpa cut-offs for a reason. They know the value of those characteristics that cannot be represented by a figrure.
I could never imagine a professor in my faculty telling a student such a thing as the OP has stated. No real academic would state such a riduculous thing to a student.
To all those who are going through this difficult process, do not let posts such as this one get you down. Anything is acheivable, it may just take you a little longer then you would like. Good luck to all.
