3.65 MA in Eng. GPA=death sentence for a PhD?

[dmariebelle]

I'm afraid to even ask this, but I have a 3.65 from my MA coursework. I've been teaching for four years, and have some good stuff on my CV. I'm (finally) ready to apply to PhD programs in Rhet/Comp, but I'm afraid that my GPA will be my downfall. Any thoughts? I saw UMASS Amherst recommended a 3.75 to apply. So I guess I shouldn't even bother?

Ugh!

[ComeBackZinc]

It's neither everything nor nothing. GPA is certainly an important criterion, particularly a graduate GPA. This board, however, has housed a lot of people who have overcome GPA problems to get into great programs. So it's a problem that can often be mitigated. But it does matter, and you should consider it when you're applying. Sorry if that's a mushy answer.

[KenAnderson]

My GPA was 3.89 and I received a rejection from UMass, but I was accepted to Louisiana's PhD Rhetoric and Composition program...I would suggest you enroll as a postbac-grad in a good school and take 2 or three English grad courses and get all A's and that will fix the GPA....if your other material is great ( letters, SOP, sample paper..GRE verbal above 90 percentile and writing section at least a 5.0) ...you will get into a program somewhere..... however, UMASS is very tough to get into..they only take about 4 to 5 Rhet/Comp people....make sure you apply to a good number of programs...at  least 6 to 10...

 

Good luck!

[bluecheese]

I'd just try to make sure that the other portions of your application are strong to help balance it out... it definitely isn't that big of a deal given that your scores are 4 years old; schools will take that into account. 

[Sursie]

You might also consider asking DGS's or program assistants at the schools you're interested in. I wouldn't want to waste time, energy and money applying to a program if their hands are tied by the Graduate School to a firm GPA minimum. On the other hand, some might claim a minimum GPA requirement that's not as strict as their website implies. All programs' restrictions and requirements from the Grad School are different, so I'd ask someone in the department directly before deciding whether or not to apply.