Getting in with a low GPA

[MaryShelley]

I'm from an Indian university, applying to some top graduate programs in the US. Though I have a decent GRE score, work-ex, some awards and all that, my aggregate is 79.27% as opposed to a topper's aggregate of 88%. There are many factors influencing this: depression, a road accident, a burn-out....but how true is it that programs like Gatech, UMich and UT Austin don't accept you unless you're a topper? Or if you're in the top 5-10%? Should I give up on applying to these places?

[morningdew]

I think you should apply but you should also apply to "safe" schools as well just in case.

At least it seems like except your GPA, your other qualifications are decent. The admission comittee will look at overall qualifications.

This is also a great opportunity to BRIEFLY mention in your statement about your low GPA and talk about other great qualities you have.

Don't give up! I got into a fair/good Master's program with GPA 2.8.

[MaryShelley]

My GPA is 3.2, topper's is 3.56. I've clearly mentioned in the SOP that I have complete hands-on in the tools they use, and I've made it a little more technical. I've also shown that I have some decent extra-curriculars. My work-ex is completely relevant to my intended specialisation, but ironically, I also have a low score in the subject during my undergrad.

Do they take into account reasons like a road accident? Honestly, it happened a week before the exams, and I hurt my eye. I'd suffered internal bleeding back then.

Do you know of people who got in with low scores, but other good things on their profile?

[MaryShelley]

Anyone?

[ssk2]

This is what I've been told by the head of graduate admissions at one university - mention it briefly in your statement of purpose but in a positive tone. You don't want to sound as if you are making excuses. You can also ask one of your letter writers to mention any reasons which may have affected your grades (again in a positive light).

[rockbender]

Some applications have an optional section where you can upload a statement to explain a low GPA or a bad semester or something along those lines. Do the schools you are applying to have something like that?

You can also ask one of your letter writers to mention any reasons which may have affected your grades (again in a positive light).

Personally - I would do the above^ and ask a letter writer to talk about your situation rather than doing it in your SOP. Unfortunately I think it would be difficult for you to mention without it coming off as "making excuses." It will sound much more legitimate coming from a letter writer (an authority figure who knew about and was sympathetic to your situation).