How screwed am I?

[warbrain]

So I'm a freshman at a top-10 undergraduate school, and this semester, I'm taking Real Analysis, Physics E&M, Organic Chemistry, and two humanities classes, but so far, I'm getting like B's in all my classes. If I want to go to grad school in like theoretical computer science, how much does this hurt? Do I still have a chance to get into a PhD program? Like, my overall GPA would be really low, but none of my classes really have anything to do with Computer Science, unless Real Analysis counts. And also, all my grades first semester were pass/fail, so they won't affect my GPA at all. Also, I'm doing an REU over the summer, and I'm a grader for a couple of math classes now if those mean anything.

And sorry if this seems ridiculous, but I don't know anything about applying to grad school. I just looked at Berkeley's website, and they said that they recommend a 3.7, which is kind of worrying me, since I'm so far from that.

[Russophile]

I would say just be patient with yourself and do your personal best. College students often change their mind about their goals. If you are unhappy with your GPA, you could consider cutting back from 5 classes to 4, though it could harm your chances of graduating on time, depending on the number of credits you are taking. Additionally, graduate schools often weigh the last two years of college more heavily than your first year. People don't always meet their full potential as freshmen, and most programs understand that. You have three more years to raise your GPA, and studying hard for finals could raise this semester from a 3.0 semester to something much higher. Good luck!

[DariaIRL]

Russophile covered a lot of the valuable points. My addition would be that in addition to them looking at your most recent 2yrs' GPA, there is also a major GPA vs cumulative GPA. My major GPA was pretty strong, while my cumulative GPA was average. But you mentioned that you're a freshman, so there is plenty of time to figure that out and to build up your GPA/decide what you want to study.

[Squawker]

Just focus on doing your best. A B average for one year is not going to ruin your chances of success. Take a look around this site at the many threads titled "Applying to grad school with a 3.0" or "Chances with sub-3.0 GPA?" and you will realize how well-positioned you are by comparison. You never know, your plans may change completely between now and your final year. Don't ruin your entire college career by worrying about living up to the suggested number on one [VERY competitive and prestigious] university's admissions page. Just having read admissions pages, you're putting yourself at a great advantage for when you actually do apply, because most undergraduates, even many of those in the middle of the application process, have no idea what getting into grad school can entail. Familiarizing yourself with the general expectations and requirements is a good idea, but if you focus too much on making yourself the ideal grad school candidate it can be easy to lose sight of the important intellectual developments you should be making as an undergrad.

If it's any consolation, I got about a B average in my first year of college. I don't know what my exact GPA was for that year, but I still managed to work my way up to a 3.8 by the beginning of my fourth year. I too expected my lower grades from first year (when I had no idea what I was doing, bombed my exams, etc.) to have a terrible effect on my GPA, but that turned out not to be the case when I finally did the calculations. Of course, I'm a humanities student, so your results may vary. But my point is that a string of B's may dampen the awesomeness of your GPA, but it won't make you uncompetitive when you apply to graduate programs in a few years. In any case, if academia is where you truly belong then your grades should naturally improve as you get into your later years and get to study more specific and stimulating topics than those covered in intro-level courses. Having a rough first year won't ruin you, and if anything it is an opportunity to figure out where your difficulties lie and how to become a better student.

[warbrain]

Would it help if I transferred to a easier school? I feel like I could easily get a 4.0 at my state school, and have a lot of time left over compared to here.

[Postbib Yeshuist]

Going straight from a BA to a PhD is a relatively rare occurrence. You would be better-served to focus on Masters work first, then on to PhD. Unless you're already shaking up your field, PhD is most likely out of your reach at this point. On the other hand, if you've been published and your work is generating some conversation, you've got a chance.

As for an easier school, you could definitely do that... if you want to shoot yourself in the foot. Think of it from an adcom's perspective:

"He was making a C at Harvard but transferred to Western Carolina University and made A's. Looks like he quit a hard situation to go where it was easy. No thanks."

Just focus on your studies and push for that A. Put your social life on hold and make the grades you think you need. ...or just do what most of us did, which is enjoy college, make decent grades, then get into a masters program and prove to the world you can do good work. THEN PhD

Edited April 20, 2010 by Postbib Yeshuist

[grad_wannabe]

Your GPA will improve in your last two years, when you're taking classes primarily in your own major/field of interest. Don't worry.

[lily_]

If you were on academic probation, you might have reason for the title "how screwed am I?"

Consider yourself lucky. Many of us as college freshman had more of an attitude of "cool, no parents!" rather than, "OMG WILL I GET INTO A PHD PROGRAM???" So you're ahead of the curve. If you have trouble getting A's in your classes, maybe take a lighter load the next semester, at my alma mater you could take four courses a semester and still be considered a full-time student, that way you have the time to truly devote to earning high marks. Use this time to figure out what you want to do. Go to office hours for your professors of courses that you really like an enjoy. Take classes in a foreign language (trust me you never know when you will need this skill) and maybe even do a study abroad. DON'T freak out about earning a PhD right in the beginning of your college career, focus on the here and now, know that's something you want to aim for, and work hard and do your best. And don't drink too much! The partying lifestyle at colleges will only make your GPA go down and your weight go up! Ha.

[Katzenmusik]

To quote the Big Lebowski, nothing is F-ed here. It will be okay. Next semester, take only four classes (which I'm assuming is the norm?)--five classes plus a load of work/activities outside of class is a bit demanding, and you will likely do better if you focus on quality, not quantity. Do NOT transfer to an easier school, as the quality and rigor of your undergrad institution will be taken into account by graduate adcoms.

And don't worry--you are not failing, you're just getting B's! It's the junior and senior years that count the most, as well as your courses in-major. Think calm thoughts and do the best you can!

Edited April 22, 2010 by Katzenmusik

[mudlark]

Would it help if I transferred to a easier school? I feel like I could easily get a 4.0 at my state school, and have a lot of time left over compared to here.

The fact that you'd rather have a high GPA than a rigorous program suggests that you're not interested in grad school for the right reasons.

[statsguy]

Going straight from a BA to a PhD is a relatively rare occurrence. You would be better-served to focus on Masters work first, then on to PhD. Unless you're already shaking up your field, PhD is most likely out of your reach at this point. On the other hand, if you've been published and your work is generating some conversation, you've got a chance.

As for an easier school, you could definitely do that... if you want to shoot yourself in the foot. Think of it from an adcom's perspective:

"He was making a C at Harvard but transferred to Western Carolina University and made A's. Looks like he quit a hard situation to go where it was easy. No thanks."

Just focus on your studies and push for that A. Put your social life on hold and make the grades you think you need. ...or just do what most of us did, which is enjoy college, make decent grades, then get into a masters program and prove to the world you can do good work. THEN PhD

This is completely untrue when it comes to fields such as Computer Science, Mathematics/Statistics, Physics, Biology etc... Most students are accepted directly into the PhD program in their field. A master's degree can be picked up along the way, if desired. Some schools give it out automatically when the student passes their preliminary oral exam.

Also, to the OP, Real Analysis freshman year? At a top university? That is very impressive. Out of curiosity, why are you taking Organic Chemistry if you want to get a PhD in CS? Seems like you'd be better off using the time to get started on research or take additional CS classes. Or enjoying life, partying, boozing, smoking weed, or (insert fun activity here). Two of my roommates took Organic Chemistry in undegrad and it was a total time suck.

Focus on acing your CS classes. Get started on research ASAP. A close fried of mine is getting his PhD in CS at my school and said that, by far, research will help you the most when it comes to admissions. LORs are a close second. Grades and GRE Subject Test is third (this was similar for my field and is for most sciences.)

Don't worry about non CS courses. You just have to pass those. Grad school apps will want a subject only GPA (for CS classes), and an overall GPA, which they could care less about unless it is extremely low.

Best of luck to you.

Edited April 22, 2010 by statsguy