I applied last year at 7 mid-range to top schools in Canada for psychology and nothing panned out. I ended up getting an informal interview with one of the profs, but he eventually decided my GPA was far too low and would not even get past the admissions department. I am trying to decide on my next step before the next application season and wanted to get some feedback. My application has one major weakpoint; my GPA. My stats are as follows:
cGPA: 3.0, last 2 years 3.3
GRE: 158V, 158Q, 4.5W
Research experience: Total of 2 years in two separate labs
Two poster publications, and a publication in a young journal
My references are great, as far as I know.
I believe my failure last year was mostly my low GPA. No matter the fit or rapport I establish with profs, I am being stopped at the door because of my GPA. I emailed a prof earlier with a lot of interest and enthusiasm, but he simply responded he thinks my GPA will be too low to even get into the program.
So what do you think is the wisest course of action? I do really want to go. I feel like I have only 2 options. Find schools that would accept such a low GPA, or go back to school and complete more courses to bring up my GPA (which I am completely open to). Any thoughts or similar experiences?