Recommend by department but sent back by graduate school....Need advice!

[icestrike]

Hi,

Don't know if anyone has encountered such situation. The department has recommended my admission to the graduate school two weeks ago. However, yesterday I was informed that my application was returned to the department because the graduate division thought my GPA was too low...  ...Moreover, the mail also said that "A memo from the Department was requested and must be finalized to submit to the Graduate Division upon which time the Graduate Division will consider your application for an official decision".

 

So what does that mean? Does that mean my department is arguing for my admission and I still get a chance? If yes, how good can the chance be? The waiting is killing me and I really can't take rejection at such late time....Huge thanks to anyone that may give me some opinion or advice!   

[Quantum Buckyball]

Your GPA was probably too low for graduate school in general (less than 3.0).

In order to get accepted into a program, you have to get accepted to the program, and to the grad school both. The grad school will have the final say because they're in charge with all the budget and funding.....

[ak48]

sounds like a (very close) rejection to me due to low gpa

[TakeruK]

I don't think this is an outright rejection. I think this means that the department wants you there but the Grad School has to make sure you meet University-wide requirements to enroll. So, I think your interpretation is right -- the Grad School is asking the Department to justify why you should be allowed to enroll despite not meeting GPA requirements. 

 

In your shoes, I would contact the Department and let them know the email you got from the Graduate School. Obviously, they would have been contacted too, but you might be able to get more information from them on your chances / what will they do next. You can also say something like "If there are any additional information that might help, please let me know" etc. 

 

I think if your GPA isn't way too low and if the Department really really wanted to you to be there, the rules can probably be bent. I'm not saying you have a good chance at getting in -- it really depends on how much your department will fight for you.

[icestrike]

I don't think this is an outright rejection. I think this means that the department wants you there but the Grad School has to make sure you meet University-wide requirements to enroll. So, I think your interpretation is right -- the Grad School is asking the Department to justify why you should be allowed to enroll despite not meeting GPA requirements. 

 

In your shoes, I would contact the Department and let them know the email you got from the Graduate School. Obviously, they would have been contacted too, but you might be able to get more information from them on your chances / what will they do next. You can also say something like "If there are any additional information that might help, please let me know" etc. 

 

I think if your GPA isn't way too low and if the Department really really wanted to you to be there, the rules can probably be bent. I'm not saying you have a good chance at getting in -- it really depends on how much your department will fight for you.

Really appreciate your reply. Actually, my GPA is slightly above the required minimum (3.0), and I've known several people in my university with similar GPA got admitted already. So I'm confused why the graduate division would pick on me...  Anyway, I'll try to contact the department for more information and wish for good things to happen

[foucaultmania]

Your department should insist on your admission. You should contact the department and express your enthusiasm for being a graduate student in that program.