YosemiteTam

I was just admitted to a program to start April 1 for the Spring Quarter. Since it was such a quick turnaround time, I was also looking at backup plans for employment if this didn't work out. I was just interviewed for my dream summer job leading backpacking trips, the only problem is that there is a two week training in May. Is it possible that I could work this out? I'm sure it all depends on programs, and advisors, but it sounds like I will be taking classes for the Spring Quarter and starting to figure out my thesis topic. Would it be considered rude to even make this request? I'm not sure about grad school flexibility/etiquette.

I applied to several schools last year and was essentially rejected due to low undergrad GPA (2.8). The schools I applied to had a 3.0 requirement, but since I had been out of school for a few years, I thought work and life experience would count for something, but I was wrong. So I have changed my approach and now I am applying for state schools where the GPA requirement is 2.5. I have visited a couple departments and been given the go-ahead, which is progress. The question is: I am working on my statement of purpose, and I want to include something in there about how I didn't get in first time around, and the lessons I learned from that experience. I think it also shows perseverance. But I also don't want the rejections to reflect poorly on me. So I wanted to send some feelers out there and see what others think. Thanks!

I applied to Master's programs and they seem to have a pretty strict 3.0 GPA requirement. I just got another rejection from Michigan Technological Institute purely for the reason of my low GPA - I was a risk they were not willing to take. When I asked what I could do to make my application stronger, this is what they said: "In order to improve your application, I suggest you can do a few of things. First, contact your professors from UCLA and talk to them about your interests and aspirations to pursue a graduate degree. Ask them if they could write letters of recommendation, which could address your potential and possibly reasons for some of the lower grades. Second, discuss your grades in your statement of purpose. We would be interested to know if there were any extenuating circumstances. Third, you might consider taking some advanced math course(s) as an unmatriculated student. A couple of high grades in differential equations, linear algebra, or even a physics class such as classical mechanics would help you brush up on these subjects as well as show the committee you can succeed in these courses. Lastly, you should try to visit Michigan Tech. A positive interview can make a big impression on faculty." Visiting the campus from California is expensive and difficult. So is taking time off work and taking classes. I guess grad school would put me into debt anyway, so what's a little more? Helpful advice, but somewhat disheartening.

I have a 2.8 GPA and graduated from UCLA in 2005.I applied to two schools and am still waiting to hear back from two graduate schools. I have two rejections already, one came in today and stated that they did not accept me because of my low GPA. This is so difficult to take since there is nothing I can do about it now. I'm already figuring out plan B and need some advice. 1) I'm applying to a school in England that is still taking applications. In my SOP for the US I did not address my GPA since I didn't have extenuating circumstances. I think it was just a factor of being young, having bad study skills, and being a bad test taker. I am sorry to say I worked my butt off for those bad grades. Should I say something in my new SOP about it? 2) If I apply again next year, where can I take graduate level courses to bring up my GPA?

I have applied to four schools and have not heard anything back from any of them. They are not elite schools, but rather ones where I was excited about the program. But like a lot of people I feel like every day that I hear nothing, the more I lose hope. So now I'm trying to deal with the question: What do I do if I am rejected from all the schools? I graduated from undergrad in 2005 and my GPA was not great. I think it was a mixture of being young, and not having great study skills. I wasn't a slacker, I worked hard for my crappy GPA. My GRE score was okay. In short, I don't test well. I had good letters of rec, and I worked hard on my essay. I do not have any undergraduate research because it was not a focus of the Geology undergrad program at UCLA. I have had some relevant work experience in my time off school, and have had some teaching experience as well. Since I can't change my GPA or my lack of undergrad research, what can I do to make my application stronger next year? Give up teaching and try to go back to the corporate world? Try to take some courses, or a volunteer position in my field? Do I take a different approach with my essay? Would any of it matter, or is it just hard times for grad programs? Any advice would be helpful, this waiting game is rough.