Am I cooked?

[zzz0101]

I'm currently studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Toronto with a GPA around 3.0, and in the middle of doing a 16-month co-op at a decent company. Ideally, I'd like to do graduate studies at UofT, but I know my GPA might make that difficult. I'm not really interested in doing grad school at a lower-ranked Canadian university — so if UofT isn't realistic, should I just focus on getting a job after undergrad and maybe consider grad school after a few years of work? Or universities in the states/Europe? Thanks!!!

[Goegraphy Tutors]

Valid concerns — U of T grad programs can be competitive, especially for research-based degrees. A 3.0 GPA is on the lower end, but it’s not a dealbreaker, especially if you can build a strong co-op track record, get good references, and possibly crush the GRE (if required elsewhere).

If U of T doesn’t work out, taking a few years to gain industry experience can strengthen your profile. Some programs value professional growth just as much as GPA. Also, don’t rule out the U.S. or Europe — some European MSc programs are more flexible with GPA and still well-respected.

Bottom line:

• Apply to U of T if it’s your top choice — no harm.

• Keep building work experience during/after co-op.

• Look internationally if you're open to it — lots of solid options.