Applying to MA programs with Horrible GPA - Advice?

[sometimesalways]

Hey,

I'm thinking of applying to a couple Biology graduate programs at a few CUNY schools here in NYC. I received a BS in Biochemistry from U of Oregon with a GPA of 2.3. I stayed consistently horrible throughout the course of my studies maintaining my C+ average for 4 years. I really love to learn, and enjoyed learning during my undergrad but did not put effort into my work. After graduation, I worked in biotech for a couple years which helped me straighten out and stop slacking off. Now think I'm ready for a Masters. The programs I am looking at are the MA in Biology at Brooklyn College, MA in Biology at City College, and MA in Biochemistry at City College. I have my former manager and a former supervisor at the biotech company ready to write LORs for me and on practice GREs I'm getting in the 1200 range with minimal preparation.

My question is: With high GRE scores, LORs from my superiors at my previous place of employment, and two years industry experience, can I overcome a GPA as horrible as mine and gain entry to one of these (or any) biology programs?

I'm thinking of also going back to undergrad and getting a second degree in engineering if I'm unable to get my MA.

If you have any advice, please let me know.

Thanks.

[bluellie]

Why not take a couple graduate level courses as a non-degree seeking student and use that as an opportunity to prove to the adcom that you can get good grades?

[tskinner]

Hey,

I'm thinking of applying to a couple Biology graduate programs at a few CUNY schools here in NYC. I received a BS in Biochemistry from U of Oregon with a GPA of 2.3. I stayed consistently horrible throughout the course of my studies maintaining my C+ average for 4 years. I really love to learn, and enjoyed learning during my undergrad but did not put effort into my work. After graduation, I worked in biotech for a couple years which helped me straighten out and stop slacking off. Now think I'm ready for a Masters. The programs I am looking at are the MA in Biology at Brooklyn College, MA in Biology at City College, and MA in Biochemistry at City College. I have my former manager and a former supervisor at the biotech company ready to write LORs for me and on practice GREs I'm getting in the 1200 range with minimal preparation.

My question is: With high GRE scores, LORs from my superiors at my previous place of employment, and two years industry experience, can I overcome a GPA as horrible as mine and gain entry to one of these (or any) biology programs?

I'm thinking of also going back to undergrad and getting a second degree in engineering if I'm unable to get my MA.

If you have any advice, please let me know.

Thanks.

You're probably going to need to get your GRE scores higher than 1200. You quant, for Biology, should at least be in the 700s, but with a GPA like that, you should really be shooting for 780-800. The verbal score really won't be that important, but since your GPA is so low, that probably needs to be in the upper 600s. I like bluellie's advice of taking some more courses, because they're not going to take your word that you "got your act together" at work without some evidence!

Good luck.