Went for a visit of the program but thought I might've left a bad impression

[NewDex]

Hi everyone,

 

So just this week I took the initiative to go visit the facilities, the coordinator, and the director of a masters program at the University of Pennsylvania I am applying to. I had a lot to say about myself and my interest in the program (it would mean the world to me to go there), but I made the mistake (I guess) of mentioning my low GPA (3.2) and GRE scores to the director of the program in hopes to hear that they wouldn't be that big of a problem for my application. He, who at first had been very enthusiastic about me for my after-college experiences as a visiting student at ETH-Zurich and UW-Madison, seemed to lose a bit of his interest after hearing of my not-so-bright performance in college. He started to dwell on it, despite all my efforts to justify points he was raising and move the conversation to something else. Long story short: he told me he couldn't say anything before he got to see my application and encouraged me to retake the GRE and then apply (both to the program he was in charge of and to another program I could fit in at UPenn as well), however I feel we spent way too long talking about my flaws versus talking about my qualities, and the feeling that I left a bad impression with him has killed me!

 

I feel like I might still get a chance there if I significantly improve my GRE scores and justify my bad GPA mentioning how my grades have improved after graduating from college on my SOP. I graduated at the University of São Paulo with one of the highest GPAs in the history of my course (7.9 out of 10.0). That translates into 3.2 in the 0.0-4.0 scale, however in Brazil class grades are not curved as they are in the US. I feel insecure about writing too much about this on my SOP though, because of how our conversation developed. So, should I go ahead and try to talk about my not-so-ideal GPA on the SOP yet again? If so, which tone would be appropriate? You guys think I might still hold a chance there or should I just move on to a less competitive program?

 

Thanks for all the advice and I'm sorry for the long post! Been confused trying to put things together here and thought I could use the advice of people more experience on this than me... 

[NewDex]

Hey you all,

 

Does anyone have a piece of advice to give here?

 

Thanks a lot! 

[beccamayworth]

Can you talk to one of the professors writing your rec letters and ask them to tactfully explain your GPA in the letter? It will sound much better coming from them than from you.

[NewDex]

One of my recommenders still has to write his letter. I'll talk to him about it!

[beccamayworth]

Good luck!!

 

Also - yes, I think you still have a chance! But are you only applying to one program?

[NewDex]

No, I am also applying to the University of Chicago, to the State University of New York - Albany (SUNY), to Johns Hopkins, to the University of North Carolina - Greensboro (UNCG). I tried to find lower tier schools that offered programs in nanoscience/nanotechnology, but was not able to. Could you tell me if all the schools I mentioned are equally competitive and/or if you know of less competitive ones? 

[beccamayworth]

I'm in a completely different field, so my advice wouldn't be any good! Maybe try asking in a specific forum for this area? 

 

But it sounds like you're applying to a good amount of schools! Best of luck!

[tuckbro]

Hopkins is highly competitive in all fields, so your GPA will be an issue.  I think it would be helpful for you to go the results tab and find your program and schools of interest and see what kind of stats have been accepted/rejected in the past.

 

Good luck!

[gliaful]

You might be okay. I mean, you mentioned your low scores -- were you expecting a cheerful response? They don't know you well enough yet to let it slide, but I bet in the context of your whole application, it may be more admissable. On the plus side, they'll be able to put a face to a name since you've visited. I think there is more good than bad in this situation, but I can definitely see where you're coming from. It's so hard to feel like you've left a bad impression.

[NewDex]

Thanks for all the hints, y'all! The freshness of nanoscience/nanotechnology as a graduate school field of study makes it hard to find stats about it anywhere. I'm already back to preparing to taking the GRE once again and doing as I can to put up the best applications I can. Wish me luck!