Undergrad GPA

[Kawa'a]

When I was fifteen I started attending college part-time locally while I finished high school. My GPA for the first 50 or so units I completed is not terrible, but it's not great either (around 3.1). It certainly reflects that I was challenging myself and gaining ground as I went. My grades in my junior and senior years at a university are much better. My GPA for my last 35 units is a 4.0. Those first couple of years bring my overall GPA down, of course (overall 3.45). Do you think my situation would be taken into account? How do I share this? Where in the application is best?

After graduation, I completed about 12 units (lower division Lit. and French lang. mostly) just for some fun, but my GPA remained a 4.0. Does that help me at all? Will they want these transcripts too?

Thank you for any of your insights!

[ladybug3]

I think it depends on the program you are applying to. Mine count the last year or two years (depending on the school) worth of credits, including credits after graduation. Others look at only third and fourth year courses (regardless of what year you took them in) or at the entire gpa. I would e-mail your school (if it does not say on the website) and ask how they calculate gpas.

[ktel]

Most schools have a section that allow you to explain special circumstances. You could share this information there if you wish, although your overall GPA is still very good, and focus will be put on your last few years

[surefire]

I agree with ladybug3 that it depends on the program. Look into how they calculate and check their stats sheet for previous admits, if they have one, to compare.

Where there are some shaky points on a GPA, an upward trend is optimal, so you're in an advantageous position in that respect.

Program applications sometimes have sections specifically for explanations of circumstance; if they do, they will identify it accordingly. If not, your only option might be to squeeze it into the personal statement; in that case, you'll have to have a good think on how much space you want to take up with such explanations.

Regardless, if you decide to address it, remember to frame it in an advantageous way. Avoid explanations that sound like pedantic excuses wherein you blame unfair circumstances. Instead, approach it honestly and highlight what situation arose, how you dealt with it, what you learned and what skills you developed as a result. I've said this elsewhere: with situational stuff, adcomm interest and consideration is divided thus, 10% "what happened" and 90% "how did you deal".

[Tiglath-Pileser III]

I agree that your overall uGPA is pretty good, and a lot will depend upon what kind of program you wish to enter. Talking in very general terms only (and with the proverbial grain of salt that goes with it), you should have little problem getting into a masters degree program and some challenges trying to enter directly into a doctoral program. A lot will depend on other factors such as the quality of your recommendations, how you did on the GRE, and the competitive nature of your particular field.