New here - first time applying to grad school, wondering about something. I applied to five top-tier MDiv programs (UChicago, ND, Harvard, Yale, Duke) and as much as I am confident I can be successful there, it's hard for me not to think they'll throw out my application pretty quickly, since my undergrad GPA was atrocious. I started out in engineering and really struggled for a few semesters before switching to theology. My major GPA was 3.5, but because of the extreme damage from the engineering courses freshman and sophomore year, my overall GPA was below a 3.0. I graduated undergrad in 2014 so it's been a while, and though I did take a master's course this last fall and got an A, it's only one class so that 4.0 grad school GPA really won't mean much to them. My professional and ministerial experience is great, and I got recommendation letters from some pretty heavy-hitters, but I wonder if none of that will matter since I don't know just how low of a GPA admissions boards are willing to overlook, despite circumstances like changes in majors.
Part of me felt like I shouldn't have even applied, but I figured the worst that happens is I'm rejected and I apply again next year to other good - but not quite top tier - schools. I'm confident in my abilities, but feel hopeless these schools will take a shot on someone with my academic past.
Should I abandon all hope?