How will grad schools view my GPA

[sabdo]

Hey everyone,

This is my first time posting in this forum however, I figured this would be a good place to get some answers.

Anyways, my situation is that I went to 2 different schools for my undergrad. So I was at UC Santa Barbara my freshman year but wasn't focused on school so I left after my first year. So I got my act together, went to a CC, and transferred to UC San Diego. There I graduated with a BS in chemical engineering with a GPA of 3.76. Now the problem is that the great folks at the UC came up with the brilliant idea of counting my UCSB GPA into an overall UC GPA when you look at my official transcript. So although my UCSD GPA is 3.76, my GPA at UCSB when I left was like a 2.6, bring my overall UC GPA down to a 3.428.

Ok so fast forward to now. I am applying to MS programs in chemical engineering and bio/biomed engineering. The question is: What aspect of my GPA are the admission people going to focus? Even though my UCSB academic performance was pretty decadent, it was only my first year when I was just taking the basic math and chemistry courses whereas at UCSD is where I obtained my degree and took all my upper div and chemical engineering courses. I'm planning on applying to the top 10 schools in both majors (as well as a few others) and I'm worried how much my freshman year blunder is going to debilitate me. If any of you guys have any input/advice on this issue I would greatly appreciate it.

[newms]

Hey sabdo, welcome!

Admissions committees will usually overlook a situation where your first year had a low GPA as long as you significantly improve your GPA during your undergraduate career (as you did). I think as long as your overall GPA is high enough to get pass any initial screen that a school may have (and I would think that it is) then you should be ok. Just make sure that the other aspects of your application, especially your statement of purpose and your letters of recommendation, are strong so that your application will be competitive at top 10 programs.

Edited July 2, 2011 by newms

[sabdo]

Hey sabdo, welcome!

Admissions committees will usually overlook a situation where your first year had a low GPA as long as you significantly improve your GPA during your undergraduate career (as you did). I think as long as your overall GPA is high enough to get pass any initial screen that a school may have (and I would think that it is) then you should be ok. Just make sure that the other aspects of your application, especially your statement of purpose and your letters of recommendation, are strong so that your application will be competitive at top 10 programs.

Do you think I should make a reference to the discrepancy in my academic record somewhere in the academic record. You know something along the lines of personal growth, or something to that effect?

Edited July 2, 2011 by sabdo

[HassE]

Do you think I should make a reference to the discrepancy in my academic record somewhere in the academic record. You know something along the lines of personal growth, or something to that effect?

Straight up Sabdo. Theres nothing to worry about. Even after that one rough semester, you still have a very high GPA in engineering. Graduate committee will see you have nearly a 3.5, and if they even inspect your transcript, they'll see that you have a 3.8 your last two years. They only care about the last 2 years anyways. You have nothing to worry about UC San Diego is what maybe the top-5 school in Cali for engineering as well?