GPA questions, etc.

[timberlake]

I have a couple of questions I'm hoping someone can answer.

 

1.Is the last 60  hours gpa the same as the gpa in the major? Or does the gpa in the major only account for major related classes, and not the unrelated electives taken during those years?

 

2. I took all of my major related classes during my sophomore and junior years. Is it right to assume that admission boards will look at those years instead of my last 2?

 

I hope this makes sense. Thanks!

[Missthang]

Your last 60 and major GPAs are 2 different things. Your last 60 would be roughly your last 2 years (from current classes counting back). For example, I applied last Fall and my last 60 hrs included the classes I just took in Spring 2014 (for grade I just wrote n/a), the classes I was currently taking (Fall 2014; again put n/a) and counted backwards until I hit about 62 or 63. For me I landed in Fall 2012 but it all depends on how many credits you take per semester. This GPA includes ALL classes/credits.

 

Major GPA is strictly your comd/speech (or however they're labeled at your school) classes. When I did my paperwork for applications they only wanted comd classes included, so don't worry about science, math, electives, etc. that go towards your bachelors. Some schools had a form that had me write down each course, # of credits, semester, and grade so they could see the courses I took and my grade for each of them, while others just simply want you to give them the number already calculated.

 

"Most" schools tend to look at your last 60 hrs and major GPAs, plus GRE scores among the other requirements. I don't think much emphasis is put on cumulative GPAs (every course credit you've ever taken in your life). Of course the higher each of these are, the better it makes you stand out as an applicant and can potentially help you score an assistantship or funding depending on the program.

[hopefulspeechie16]

Your last 60 and major GPAs are 2 different things. Your last 60 would be roughly your last 2 years (from current classes counting back). For example, I applied last Fall and my last 60 hrs included the classes I just took in Spring 2014 (for grade I just wrote n/a), the classes I was currently taking (Fall 2014; again put n/a) and counted backwards until I hit about 62 or 63. For me I landed in Fall 2012 but it all depends on how many credits you take per semester. This GPA includes ALL classes/credits.

 

Major GPA is strictly your comd/speech (or however they're labeled at your school) classes. When I did my paperwork for applications they only wanted comd classes included, so don't worry about science, math, electives, etc. that go towards your bachelors. Some schools had a form that had me write down each course, # of credits, semester, and grade so they could see the courses I took and my grade for each of them, while others just simply want you to give them the number already calculated.

 

"Most" schools tend to look at your last 60 hrs and major GPAs, plus GRE scores among the other requirements. I don't think much emphasis is put on cumulative GPAs (every course credit you've ever taken in your life). Of course the higher each of these are, the better it makes you stand out as an applicant and can potentially help you score an assistantship or funding depending on the program.

 

For the classes you put n/a for, did they later ask you for the grades of those courses since those were part of the last 60 credit hours?

[Missthang]

Technically your last semester classes won't factor in to GPA for your applications bc by the time you complete them (I'm going to assume you graduate May 2015, so spring 2015 is your last semester grades), you will already have found out their decisions. Most schools admitting for Fall will send out decisions in April, so they kind of just assume that if you're degree is still in progress, hopefully you're going to pass the courses and graduate with no problems. Once accepted, your dept will request another official transcript that shows your degree is complete and confirmed, so all of your class grades will show up and they know for sure that all of the requirements are completed before you begin the program that Fall.

For me, all of my schools had an app. deadline of Feb. 1, 2014. Most decisions were mailed in mid-April so I knew where I was accepted/waitlisted/rejected and then I finally graduated in May. Once I accepted the offer soon after I received my letter in the mail, my program director sent me paperwork to complete and I paid my seat deposit. Then I was instructed on sending the transcript after graduation and other requirements for our specific department and program.

[timberlake]

Thank you! I graduated 2 (going on 3) years ago, so I'll have to include my last semester.

[Missthang]

No problem, glad I could help!