Should I lose all hope?

[sa316]

I am currently a junior at a competitive private university majoring in Human Physiology and minoring in Public Health. I basically screwed up my first two years and have a ~2.5 GPA. Yes, I know it's terrible. However, I am bringing it up so I will have an upward trend by the time I graduate. Realistically, when I graduate I'm thinking I'll have a cumulative GPA of 2.8-3.0 with my last two years hopefully being 3.3+.

I have a lot of research experience. I'm currently working at a Biophysics/Physiology lab and I presented my research at a symposium not too long ago. I also have experience doing summer research work in a Pulmonary lab and hoping to get an internship of some sort this summer.

Now, assuming I do well on my GREs (I can be a pretty good test-taker if I study), what are my chances at MA/PhD programs? I'm interested in Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, and Immunology. Should I get an MA first and then apply to PhD? I've been reading a lot about the combined MA/PhD programs so I was interested in that but I'm not sure if my chances have been shot to hell.

[stacey06]

Do well these last few semesters and that "upward trend" will make all the difference. Emphasize research experience and your goals in your personal statement and interviews. Don't give up!! There are people with worse stats (ie me) who are still trying (albeit different field).

Don't worry too much for GRE. If you're decent on standardized tests you'll do fine. Definitely take those two free tests ets gives. My real scores were spot on with the practice ones.

[smith2]

This I need to understand and I come back later...

[GandalfTheGrey]

I would suggest applying to MA programs first, and then use your success in the MA program to get into the PhD program you are interested in. Do you know if you will have strong letters of recommendation? I would also suggest using your personal statement to explain why your grades were so low your first two semesters and what you have learned from that experience/why you will do better during your first semester of grad school. You could also contact individual programs to get more specific admission advice. Work experience is another great way to make up for a lower GPA, so you might also consider taking a year off after college to research full time while applying to grad school. Good luck! I hope everything works out.

[R Deckard]

Get an A+ in (nearly) every single class from here on out and they won't worry about your first two years too much.