Application Advice

[Buddy]

Hey Guys,

I just had a few questions that hopefully someone can help me answer. Right now I'm entering my senior year going for a B.S. in Environmental Studies with a cumulative GPA of 2.997 (messed up Freshmen year). Without Freshmen year I'm averaging about a 3.2ish, which I guess isn't too bad. My main concern is how in the world am I supposed to apply during my senior year? I know a lot of programs require atleast a 3.0 GPA for the last 60 units, but I won't know my GPA since the applications are due during the beginning or middle of my last semester, so what would I put down for that? And second how is the GPA for the last 60 units determined? I have a lot of courses that are considered Credit/No Credit mostly coming from units for my major related internship. I was hoping to start gaining work experience just incase I got rejected from every school. I really messed up deciding to apply for grad school so late and I haven't even started preparing for the GRE yet. Any advice would be appreciated.

-Buddy

Edited August 15, 2010 by Buddy

[adaptations]

First, I think it would be helpful to know what type of program you are applying to (MA, PhD, etc...). Second, I think you can count your last 60 units of credit at the time you apply (which obviously won't include your final semester). I am not 100% sure on this, but I would include credit/no credit courses in your last 60 credits, and just take the average GPA over the courses where you received a grade. Also, make sure you get to studying for the GRE. Good scores on the test may help off set, to some extent, your poor freshman GPA. In the long-term, if you are looking at PhD programs and don't get into the ones you are hoping for, you may consider doing an MA, really focusing on getting a stellar GPA and that would help you get into a solid PhD program.

Good luck!

[Buddy]

Thanks for the advice, adaptations. I'm actually just going to be applying for Masters Programs. I think you're right though about the last 60 units. I guess I'm just going to study like crazy this next semester, take the GRE, gather my recommendations, and then apply in January. Thanks for the help!

[newms]

You can get into grad school with a below 3 GPA - its harder but not impossible. See this thread by user belowthree Ad comms also love to see that your GPA has been improving over time, so I don't think that the fact that you did badly in your freshman year is going to keep you out.

[lifetimestudent]

Be honest in your applications. If it really was just a freshman-year screw-up, and your grades improved after that, you should really be fine. Just explain it in your applications. I don't know if the SOP is the right place to do it, but you can also include an additional letter where you explain whatever reasons why your grades were the way they were. Adcoms understand that people do lots of different things in college. You probably didn't know 100% sure what you wanted to do when you finished. It's ok. Good luck with your app!

[Buddy]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm basically all set with recommendations, so now it's just the GRE and the Statement. I'm pretty good in math, but man the verbal section in a practice test absolutely dominated me. If anyone who is thinking about applying for grad school is reading this... learn from my mistake and study the vocabulary words way in advance. Because of work and a full school load I'm honestly just going to focus on finishing this semester strong and apply with a poor GRE score that I know I'm going to get and see what happens.