[Submission Anxieties]

Hi all,

I'm super nervous about even being accepted to grad schools because of my lower than average GPA (3.4 overall) and an unfortunate academic dishonesty case last year. I was accused of A.D. after turning in a rough draft of a paper for the honors section of a class. It contained material that was not appropriately cited. I wasn't maliciously trying to take the authors' work, I cited it poorly. To make up for it, I had to go through a restorative justice program which was a conversation with Academic peers and mentors to discuss happened and how we can mend the harm. After the program, I put on an academic integrity seminar for my dorm (as I'm an RA). My disciplinary record will be stored as "non-disciplinary" by my University, but I still put "yes" I've been reprimanded by my school on CSDCAS. I've explained the situation in a matter of fact way, trying not to dismiss it as less than it is. Honestly, it keeps me awake at night. I've definitely learned from my mistake, and I believe that I made a good effort after the fact to repair any harm that was done. CSDCAS only gives you 500 characters to describe the problem, so I really wish they'd give me more. 

Obviously, to attempt to better my chances I applied at a wide variety of schools (23... which is nuts!). I think my stress about my applications is also coming from the fact that CSDCAS has yet to "verify" my academic update grades, and I've submitted my apps... Though, I do know that schools don't even begin looking for a couple of weeks because CSDCAS processing times do take a while and I submitted everything from my end. Besides that, I've been told I am a competitive applicant... uGPA: 3.46, CSD GPA: 3.75, Last-60 GPA: 3.80, GRE: 157 V, 154 Q, 4.5 AW.

I am a CS&D major with an Education minor.  I have been involved in 2 research labs during undergrad; one for three semesters studying bilingual language acquisition and language development and the other studying Parkinson's Disease using rat models. I currently serve on the executive board of NSSLHA as the Secretary. I was a Camp Counselor at an overnight summer camp for kiddos on the autism spectrum. I am working as a conversation volunteer in our school's speech and language clinic. I also am enrolled in a service-learning course as a mentor for children in our public school district who experience homelessness. Finally, I have been an RA for our dorms for the past 2 years. I think I have a diverse amount of leadership and research experiences which could help that lower GPA.

Anyways, do any of you have advice to get through this waiting period? I have tried to pick up reading for fun and I know that I should try and limit my time on social media especially with decisions around the corner...

[University of Tennessee Applicants]

On 3/7/2016 at 12:39 AM, Fizzysodabomb said:

My undergrad was in English and Journalism but I didn't ed up with great stats (I had some major setbacks due to illness). 

My GPA: 3.4, GRE: V 151      Q 150    AW: 4.0.

I applied to Vanderbilt, East Tennessee State University, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Western Carolina University, and University of Montevallo. The only school I have heard back from is University of Tennessee; they apparently sift out everyone with GPA and GRE scores lower than what they want, regardless of the circumstances that may have led to them. They do that prior to delving into any other parts of the application from what I've heard. They told me that in the University visit but I actually thought they were simply trying to deter less serious applicants.

I have yet to hear back from any of the others but Western Carolina University did recently send out an email notifying me that they've begun reviewing applications and sending out notices of acceptance status. 

Do you know what the GPA/GRE cutoffs are??

[Do I have a chance with this red mark on my academic history...]

25 minutes ago, smileyslp said:

I think the explanation you submitted will definitely help. I would recommend including the seminar you hosted in your resume or in some other note because that will show the admissions team that you care about academic integrity and have showed other students how to cite correctly, etc. Also, LORs from professors who know you well would be beneficial because if you were truly dishonest, then a professor wouldn't recommend you... so I think a letter from a professor would show admissions that you're valued/trusted in your program and just made a mistake. Maybe you could request an additional letter from the justice program that shows you're in good standing and have gone through all the steps to restore your record?

Thanks for the advice. I actually have 3 letters coming from professors I've had, two were also the PI's of labs I have been in/am in.

[Do I have a chance with this red mark on my academic history...]

Hi all,

I'm super nervous to apply to grad school after being accused of academic dishonesty last year. I was accused of it after turning in a rough draft of a paper for the honors section of a class. It contained material that was not appropriately cited. I wasn't maliciously trying to take the authors' work, I cited it poorly. To make up for it, I had to go through a restorative justice program which was a conversation with peers and mentors on what happened and how we can mend the harm. After the program, I put on an academic integrity seminar for my dorm (as I'm an RA). My disciplinary record will be stored as "non-disciplinary" by my University, but I still put "yes" I've been reprimanded by my school on CSDCAS. I've explained the situation in a matter of fact way, trying not to dismiss it as less than it is. 

Other than this incident, people say I'm a competitive applicant. I'm very nervous that my schools won't even consider me, though... Honestly, it keeps me awake at night. I've definitely learned from my mistake, and I believe that I made a good effort after the fact to repair any harm that was done. CSDCAS only gives you 500 characters to describe the problem, so I really wish they'd give me more. 

Anyways, do any of you have advice? (Please do not be condescending or rude, I know what I did wasn't right. I did, however, genuinely try and fix my mistake)

[Do I have a chance?]

3 hours ago, KEIM said:

You sound like a STRONG applicant. I wouldn't be worried if I were you.

Thank you, it's just a little nerve wracking when the average GPA is so high now! 

[Do I have a chance?]

I am going to be *that* person and seek opinions about whether my scores are good enough for graduate school admission. I am applying to 13 schools (yes, I know that's a lot. But I am anxious because of my low GPA compared to the average accepted GPA).

uGPA: 3.43/4.00

CSD GPA: 3.75/4.00

Last-60 GPA: 3.80/4.00

GRE: 157 V, 154 Q, 4.5 AW

I am a CS&D major with an Education minor.  I have been involved in 2 research labs during undergrad; one for three semesters studying bilingual language acquisition and language development and the other studing Parkinson's Disease using rat models. I currently  serve on the executive board of NSSLHA as the Secretary. I was a Camp Counselor at an overnight summer camp for kiddos on the autism spectrum. I am working as a conversation volunteer in our schools speech and language clinic. I also am enrolled in a service-learning course as a mentor for children in our public school district who experience homelessness. Finally, I have been an RA for our dorms for the past 2 years. I think I have a diverse amount of leadership and research experiences which could help that lower GPA. (Also, being a male in the field, many of my colleagues have told me I shouldn't worry about not getting in. Personally, I don't buy that because programs are trying to get the best applicants no matter what, right?)

I know Letters of recommendation are important as well and two of my three professors are revered as "innovative" in their respected research fields so hopefully their opinions may help. I also know them pretty well, so it's not like I asked strangers for the sake of them just looking good to schools. My letter of intent has been looked over by many sets of eyes and will continue to be looked over. I've been told it sounds good by colleagues who have been through the application process. (I only mention these things because I know ad comm's look at the applicant holistically)

As you can tell by my sheer number of schools, I am pretty anxious about getting in. CS&D has become my passion since finding the major and it would be a blow if I couldn't get in. Any thoughts? I'd love to hear from people going through their applications too!