Cumulative GPA vs Major GPA

[ajohns]

Hi everyone, 

 

I am a senior in college majoring in chemical engineering. Right now my plan is to work in industry for a couple of years and then maybe go to grad school.

 

My major GPA is pretty decent at 3.6, but my cumulative GPA is quite low at 2.6.

 

I took the GRE and got 166 on the verbal part and 168 on the math part. My school has a very highly ranked chemical engineering department. I like my adviser and three professors and I think that they like me too, so my recommendation letters should be pretty good. 

 

Do you think I have a shot at any of the top 20 grad schools in chemical engineering? Since I want to go to grad school to study chemical engineering does the major GPA have more weight than the cumulative GPA?

 

Thanks

 

P.S. I'm a white female, although I'm not sure if that makes any difference in grad school admissions. 

Edited March 31, 2015 by ajohns

[velua]

It does make a difference, at least in some fields. Not sure about Chemistry though. Isn't there a Chemistry GRE subject test? Top 20 seems like a reach, though I don't know your field. In my field, most successful applicants probably have 3.5+ GPAs even at top 50 schools. The major GPA will obviously have more weight, but that doesn't mean all of the weight.

[ilovelab]

It depends on the program. What you NEED to do is email every program when you apply and ask if the 2.6 GPA can be overlooked by your 3.6 major GPA. Most grad schools have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Some schools will have exceptions. You may have to do a masters first before you can go for a PhD. The programs should give you a direct answer, if they don't bother answering, don't apply. You will waste your money and time.

[eeee1923]

I would consider applying to masters programs first since a lot of top 20 ChE programs tend to look at the numbers a lot (just the nature of the game). But I agree with ilovelab. Good luck.

[bsharpe269]

Are you interested in MS or PhD? If PhD then what if your research experience?