[The sub-3.0 GPAs ACCEPTANCE thread]

On 2/13/2017 at 0:57 PM, Crucial BBQ said:

Could you potentially do the MS part time?  

Edited to add:  I ask because based on my limited understanding it seems that those who use work experience to overcome low uGPA usually put in five to ten years of work post undergrad before applying/being accepted into Ph.D. programs.  

not sure. I'd have to leave work to do a thesis MS. I could potentially roll over my graduate credits towards a non-thesis degree. However I'm not sure what weight that is versus a thesis degree. I do full time research for work. 

[The sub-3.0 GPAs ACCEPTANCE thread]

12 hours ago, bhr said:

The reason many people suggest completing a masters is that is lets you build relationships with faculty, burnish your research experience, and show an ability to follow through.

More importantly though, many MA/MS programs are funded through research or teaching assistantships, so while you are committing more time than if you just took a few independent classes, you will be paying a lot less. In addition, some programs will accept MA/MS work toward your PhD course requirements, allowing you to finish faster or take a wider variety of courses.

well to do a masters full time I'd have to leave my job, which involves industry research. I just wonder if a masters full time at not well known school is worth having over work experience (research related) at a well known company + graduate coursework at not well known school.

[The sub-3.0 GPAs ACCEPTANCE thread]

do i have to complete a masters to fix my ug gpa? could I just take graduate courses as a non degree seeking student?

[low gpa, how to approach this]

4 hours ago, Warelin said:

What do you mean by an alternative transcript?

right now i'm just taking graduate courses as a non degree seeking student. however if i wanted to, i could reapply and have my credits rolled towards a MS degree

[low gpa, how to approach this]

9 hours ago, Chai_latte said:

I can't speak to admissions chances, but it's great that you have a good number of papers/presentations.  Given that your UG gpa is so low, a goal of 3.0-4.0 for grad courses is inadequate IMO.  I'd shoot for 3.7-4.0.  With that said, when you're ready to apply, submit apps to both MS & PhD programs.  Then, you'll determine whether you need to go the master's route.

Since you already have industry experience, I'm not sure age will be a big factor.  It's not like you were doing unrelated stuff during your time away from school. 

how much help would the MS be instead of having an alternative transcript of grad classes? honestly it's only the gpa i need. if i can't get into a program, I can just roll the grad credits I have now towards a non-thesis MS at my current school. how much would a thesis MS help compared to a non thesis?

[low gpa, how to approach this]

my undergrad gpa was ~2.4, and major gpa was even worse. However in the last ~1.5 years of my undergrad, I did some heavy research in an organic chemistry lab. I could not get into any phd programs, however I managed to get a job at a large pharmaceutical company doing exactly what most PhD organic chemists do out of graduate school, just with half the pay. I'd like to be able to get into top programs in my field. I'm wondering what are my chances, and how should I approach this?

 

current profile:
2.4 gpa
2 publications (1 co author, 1 first author)
3 presentations
1.5 years research experience academic
1.5 years research experience industry
good recommendations
gre (~70% percentile)
industry experience

I am currently taking graduate chemistry courses at the state university to improve my gpa. so far I've gotten one A. I plan to reapply to graduate school in 1-2 years

 

future profile:
2.4 gpa undergrad
2 publications from undergrad
potentially 1 more publication or patent from industry
3 presentations
maybe 1 presentation from industry
good recommendations
1.5 years research experience academic
3-4 years research experience industry
improved gre score
good subject gre score
3.0-4.0 gpa from graduate courses

I am also wondering if I should complete a non-thesis masters at the university? Due to my work schedule and the lack of night classes, I can only take 1-2 classes per semester. If I wanted to finish my masters, I'd finish at 30 years old, which puts me too old for many of the top schools. Does building an alternative transcript of good grades + high subject gre test score help?

also, with my current path, what are my chances of getting into top 30? top 20? 10? will I be too old by then?

I am aiming to apply for 2018 or '19 fall starts.

[Chemistry Applications Fall 2015]

The Graduate Admissions Committee has evaluated your application to the Colorado State University Ph.D. Chemistry program for the Fall 2015 semester. Unfortunately, we are only able to accept into our program a fraction of the candidates who apply each year. Regrettably, we are unable to extend an offer of admission to you.

If your application was submitted in late February or later, it is possible that you were not admitted because we had exceeded our target class size for 2015-2016. You are welcome to apply for the program starting in Fall 2016.

disappointed but didn't expect anything else. sub 3.0 gpa, 1 year research 1 co author 1 first author paper, 2 good lor, 1 lor from prof I got an A from.