Importance of GPA?

[LadyMactans]

The majority of schools I've been looking at require at least a 3.0 gpa for the program I want to get into (exceptions are at the discretion of the graduate advisory committee). However, I'm not quite there and I don't know if I'll be able to get myself to a 3.0 by the end of this (my last) semester. If I did the calculations right I think I may end up just below the line. That said, I was planning on doing a certificate in biotech at a community college near my house during the spring semester as a way to get any physical/chemical science requirements that I might not have out of the way. I was also hoping this would help me if I don't get quite the gpa I need.

Does anyone know my chances of getting into a decent graduate program without a 3.0 GPA if I have a biotech certificate on top of my B.S. (ideally with good grades, of course) as well as good scores on the GRE? Is there anything else I should be doing to improve my chances before I apply? I know I have people willing to give me good recommendations and I do have lab research experience.

[modernity]

It is definitely possible if you have the research/publications/recommendations/sop/gre (or some combination thereof) to off set a lower GPA, and if you have legitimate reasons for why its low (i.e. you were hospitalized during a semester). There are quite a few schools I have seen (I'm in an entirely different department than you of course) where they will admit people conditionally to the program if you have a lower gpa than they prefer. I've also seen a few (very few but still there) schools with a 2.8 rather than a 3.0 requirement. So its out there, but it certainly will make the process harder for you.

Also, to balance out this statement, I will also say that there are plenty of people with the above qualifications and a decent GPA that aren't accepted. I would say just make sure that the fit for the program is perfect, you've gotten into contact with the professors at the universities you are interested in, and that you do everything you can to use your time between now and then to improve your credentials - I don't know much about biotech, but I assume getting in some more research couldn't hurt you, and neither could the certificate you are planning on getting.

[noojens]

No single aspect of your application is a dealbreaker. That said, if your GPA is weak you'll need to be exceptionally strong in other areas (GRE scores, letters of recommendation, or research experience) to compensate.

Best of luck.

[joro]

No single aspect of your application is a dealbreaker. That said, if your GPA is weak you'll need to be exceptionally strong in other areas (GRE scores, letters of recommendation, or research experience) to compensate.

Best of luck.

When you say research experience, do you need published research for it to count? I was an RA at some point after graduating for about a year, but no research was published.

[noojens]

Of course publications help. They're not strictly necessary, though -- a strong letter of recommendation from your research advisor praising your abilities is a fine substitute.