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I should have mentioned that my choices are highly based on the groups I am interested in at these schools. However, the rank of the schools do concern me because of my GPA. I believe my SOP is definitely strong and my LOR from my research adviser should be glowing. Are you saying that if my GPA and GREs meet the minimum cutoff that acceptance is more heavily based on my SOP and LORs? Or would a strong GRE scores still be necessary to offset my GPA regardless of how good my SOP and LORs are?

Should I not be aiming for top schools? I feel like if I can just get my application looked at I would have a chance, but if gpa rules me out automatically then I obviously wouldn't have a chance.

Area of interest: Organic Methadology GPA: 3.56 Chem GPA: 3.76 2 years of undergrad research experience (will be almost 3 years once I start grad school in August 2014) 1st author publication (Feature Article in Synthesis) Honors thesis ACS Undergraduate Award for best undergraduate organic researcher at my school 2 department scholarships for research 1 school scholarship for honors thesis project 1 national acs poster presentation, 2 regional poster presentations, and 2 school poster presentations 1st place and 3rd posters at the regional conferences 1 great LOR, 1 good LOR, 1 ok LOR Don't have either GRE scores yet Schools Applying to: MIT, UC-Berkeley, CalTech, UI-Urbana-Champaign, Columbia, U-Penn, U-Michigan, U-Wisconsin-Madison Does anyone know how much my GPA will affect my chances at any of these schools and the typical cutoff for GRE scores? I feel like my research experience is strong but is being held down by my GPA.

Hey there, I am preparing my applications to be sent in by the end of the month. Would you mind posting where you got in and your gpa/experience. I will undoubtedly be checking my email nervously, so some insight would be much appreciated!

Hey all, first post but long time lurker! I'm wondering how the Chem GPA is calculated. Is it based on the major GPA, including all non-chemistry classes such as Physics 1 & 2 etc. or is it purely Chemistry classes? Also I am applying for Organic Chemistry programs with a focus in synthesis, so does this also factor into play with GPA? As in, would classes such as Physics really play a role in GPA considering Organic is not as relevant? Thanks for everyone's input!