GPA Below 3

[ZachBoyer]

I had a 2.83 GPA (3.24 in my major, not that that matters?). I had no plans to go to grad school as an undergraduate, but am now considering it as a possibility. Should I even bother applying to schools whose GPA requirements explicitly say "3.0+" or only focus on those which make no such mention?

Also: Is there a faster way to check each one's requirements than just going to their official school site? Sorry, little naive about the whole thing, just starting out. Thank you.

This is only for my Masters, btw.

[DC1020]

I wouldn't put much stock in those warnings, especially for smaller programs that don't use a robot that will throw away your application without looking at it.  That said, GPA is one of the most important components of your overall package, so the rest of your application will need to be exemplary.  Your test scores will have to show that you are smart enough to handle the work and your SOP/recommendations will need to demonstrate that you are passionate about your field and likely to care about and succeed in graduate school.

[fuzzylogician]

There have been several discussion about sub-3.0 GPAs on this website. Here is one: 

You didn't specify your field, but if you go into the relevant subforum you might find others. I'm pretty sure that there is at least one other major discussion about low grades but I can't find it right now. You could try using the search function. 

As for finding out about each school's requirements, for the fields I know anything about, you have to go to the individual schools' webpages. There is no faster way to go about it.

[ZachBoyer]

Thank you both.

[ballwera]

I think there is a sub 3.0 thread going in the lobby. I wouldn't take too much stock in the 3.0 or bust thing. Graduate school admissions are more holistic than Med. or Law schools. You just have to make sure that the other parts of your applications shine. Also be prepared to have an honest conversation about your GPA.  

[Bschaefer]

I have a friend in my cohort that had below a 3.0 in undergrad but explained in her SOP that due to natural disaster (e.g. Katrina while in undergrad in MS/LA), how her comeback after taking a force leave, and ample field experience proved that her GPA didn't define her. Now, she's fully funded and currently excavating in Mexico for the semester