Accepted/Attending JHU with <3.0 GPA

[itzbobbeh]

(tl;dr at the bottom)

So here is my success story. I got accepted into my dream school, The Johns Hopkins University for their MHS program.

Some background info: my undergrad GPA is 2.85 and my science GPA is roughly 2.6-2.7, which is appalling. So appalling that I've had 3 professors/supervisors tell me that I wouldn't get anywhere with my GPA.

So what else was on my application? My GRE scores are V/Q/A 154/155/4.5, my letters of recommendation were good but not stellar (one academic professor, one research PI, and my supervisor when I was a lab tech after college), I had a lot of work experience for a recently-graduated student and worked for almost a year after graduating college as a lab research tech. My research experience was probably the best part of my application: 4 independent research projects (with presentable results), 1.5 years of research in undergrad, and almost a year of research as a lab tech. I also spent a great deal of time writing my SoP and making sure I communicated the right stuff to the Hopkins admissions committee.

So here is what I did differently from most other applicants: I visited their campus and met with their program director as well as a prospective faculty member that I was interested in doing research in. I met with both of them and I gave them my story. I had a VERY clear idea of what I want to do, and it was evident on my SoP. I explained my prior research projects, I told them what I want to do, and I gave them a very detailed description of HOW I plan to achieve those goals. I projected myself very confidently, I didn't submit to my terrible GPA, instead I told them that I was confident that my GPA will improve in grad school. I didn't give them any excuses. I knew that if I wasn't confident in my experience then they wouldn't take me (as an applicant) seriously.

Then after all that happened I just carried on with my life. I wasn't too hopeful because it was Hopkins and with my terrible GPA I didn't really think there was a chance of me getting in, but I was pleasantly surprised when I got the acceptance email.

So for all of you who are demoralized and worried about getting into grad school with average GRE scores and sub-3.0 GPAs like me, here is my message: stay confident, and get a ton of research experience.

tl;dr- I got into The Johns Hopkins University with only a 2.85 GPA and unimpressive GRE scores. My secret weapon was my research experiences.

[GradSchoolTruther]

Just don't flunk out of grad school.