Pathetic: Horrible Undergraduate GPA. Chances or ideas?

[postmanreader]

So I'm trying to receive advice from all possible sources, consider my options, and then take the best long-term path.

I didn't do well in undergrad (extreme depression, lack of ambition, no clear goals; all excuses, sure). My overall GPA was 2.51; last 60 credits was 2.82; and my major GPA (English literature) was 3.2.

It wasn't until a year after graduating that I even began to think about graduate school (from the help and push of a friend who wanted me to do better for myself), and I realized that I have a great deal of interest in media studies/communications (specifically media ecology and the internet and society).

I did all right on the GRE (verbal: 650; math: 670; writing: 4.5), but nothing great, which would be all right if my GPA was 3.5, for instance.

I'm going to apply this year, but I'm almost certain that I have no chance of getting accepted into a decent masters program. Ohio State University and Purdue are my two top choices (in terms of schools that wouldn't straight up laugh at my application, like NYU), but OSU's graduate school won't admit anyone with a GPA lower than 3.0. Other schools of interest are Oregon, Indiana, University of Washington, and University of Minnesota.

At the same time, I've started thinking about selecting "safe" programs, schools like University of Denver, Southern Methodist University, San Francisco State University, and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (which probably isn't a "safe" school for me, if any of them are).

So I'm wondering if people can offer any advice for a person in my situation. I've taken the last couple of years to really work on my mental health and get my life in much better order. And despite all the rigor and stress of a masters program (and eventually a PhD program), I very much want to pursue this educational endeavor. It's been suggested that I apply to a desired school (like Purdue) as a non-degree seeking post-baccalaureate student, but that is difficult because I'd need a full-time job to support myself and to take out additional loans; but that could be the only way. I've considered these safe schools either in order to get a masters from them, or to do a year there (and do extremely well) and apply for a transfer to a desired school (even if it puts me behind on receiving a masters).

Any and all (even harsh) input is appreciated. I'm just looking for guidance. Thank you.

[Sparky]

...Depression is such a monster.

What have you done since undergrad that is CV-able? Have you worked in Internet media, the tech industry, etc.? Taught ESL? Volunteered to teach computer classes at a local senior center? Most people I know who've overcome a lousy undergrad GPA are those who apply with a very solid chunk of real-world experience in something related to their target field.

"Transferring" grad programs is not like transferring undergrad. Most grad schools don't accept much--if any--credit from previous schools. Basically, you'd be starting over. You'd also have to explain to New School, in your application, why you want to "transfer." Furthermore, if it's only a two-year MA, how are you going to build up the necessary relationships with professors you'd need for LORs? Either you'd be applying right away, or else it wouldn't be a transfer, you'd have graduated. (Note: I'm assuming a traditional 2-year full-time schedule here. If you're only a part-time student, YMMV).

If your eventual goal is a PhD, make sure you find out the PhD placement rates of the MA programs to which you apply (and don't bank on "transferring"). Everyone has their story of the long-shot from U of Northwest Podunk who got into the PhD at Harvard; we all know this story because it is the exception.

I guess my advice is: in this crappy economy, go get a job, work for a few years, then see if grad school still feels right.

I'm assuming your LORs (letters of recommendation) will reflect, or have to talk around, your stated undergraduate years' lack of ambition and propensity for excuses. That is not going to be helpful. If you do follow the above advice to take a couple of years, maybe try dipping a toe back in with one or two classes, at either the undergrad or grad level. Do a phenomenal job, get yourself used to school work, and get an LOR out of the deal that says, "Even though ze, as a non-degree seeking student, was required to register as an undergraduate, postmanreader worked harder than any of the graduate students in hir XYZ class." I suspect something like that combined with a few years of relevant experience could make up for the low GPA.

Good luck!

Edited August 24, 2011 by Sparky

[morningdew]

I guess I can give you an advice because I was in the same situation like yours. Depression? Yes. Therapy? Yes. Low undergrad GPA? Yes (2.8, major was 3.2). Interested in media communication? Yes. Working on Master's right now? Yes.

I got a low undergrad GPA because I was chemistry major trying to become a doctor and then I switched over to communication because that's where my passion was at. After graduating, I wanted to take a year off before going back to school. So I tried to look for job, but believe me, getting a decent job at this time was impossible. I didn't want to work at retails so I decided to apply for Master's right away. The thing is... Yes, you are not going to get into a decent school right away. But if you end up getting into okay school, and do an amazing job, you can get into way better PhD school. That's what I am doing right now. The school I am attending right now is not a bad school but is not high ranking school either, but I am so fortunate to have second chance to improve my academics to get into a dream PhD school.

Every case is different but I do believe that some schools look beyond your GPA. I worked really hard on my SOP, writing sample, and picked professors that I liked for letters of recommendations. I got in the program with admission condition (that I have to get B or higher on first 3 classes), but that was no problem. So I say, apply to many safe schools and like maybe one dream school that you really want but don't expect anything. I think your GRE is good. Just really work on strengthen other areas of your application. You still have a chance!

p.s. Don't bother putting your depression as an excuse on applications because schools don't care. They care about what you can contribute to the school.