downwardtrend

Hi gradcafe, I was wondering if anyone with first-hand experience help me out with some advice... I always see application advice here for people who applied with low gpas who started out kinda crappy, and then showed drastic improvements in their GPA throughout their later years. I am kinda the opposite. A bit about me: Applying for Marine Sciences and Biological Oceanography Programs Fall 2012 UNC-Chapel Hill USC Duke UCSD Oregon Washington Major: Molecular and Cell Bio Dropped Major: French (dropped the beginning of my 4th year) Graduated Spring 2011 from a BIG10 Uni First 2 years overall and major GPA: ~3.75 Last 2 years overall and major GPA: ~2.45 (Failed a total of 3 courses- 2 advanced french electives, and 1 intro to art elective [don't ask me why, I know its embarassing]) I still got B's and C's in my major advanced electives.. Final Overall GPA: 3.1 Final Major/technical GPA: 3.3 GRE: 720Q 520V haven't received writing score; intend to retake Sept. 15 Biochem GRE: October 15 Excellent and relevant research experience, Excellent LOR, 1 coauthor publication, working on 2nd I some extenuating circumstances to explain my poor performance: i.e.- heavy devotion to extracirriculars and research, and 2 major surgical operations Big Question: Many programs (such as washington) specifically ask for GPA of last 2 years of college. Also there is no room in the application to submit documentation of medical circumstances for a couple of my applications. How many people have had poor performance their last couple years, and had that overlooked (and got in) and how? Which program? What was your situation? Thanks, much appreciated..!!