Will I get admitted with low GPA?

[applyyy]

Hi,

I'm a senior in University of Minnesota, Twin Cities now and will graduate in May 2017. I'm applying to graduate programs in statistics but have a low GPA of 3.33 because of poor grade in this fall semester. I do have many related experiences though. Anyway, I really have no idea how my profile looks like and whether it is strong enough for me to get admitted. Any comment or suggestion would be appreciated. Thanks a lot!

(Note: I spend two and a half years in a university in China and transferred to UMN, some of the basic calculus courses are also transferred as credits.)

School 2: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (Jan 2015-May 2017)

Major: Double major: Statistics; Mathematics

GPA: 3.33/4.0  (major GPA around 3.2)

School 1: (An State University of Finance and Economics in China) (Sep 2012-Jan 2015)

Major: Statistics in Finance

GPA: 2.8

Type of Student: International Asian student

GRE: Quantitive:168(95%)  Verbal:151(51%)   Writing: 3.0(17%)

Courses:

Math courses: Basic Calculus 1,2,3 (A), Differential Equation(B-), Applied Linear Algebra(B-), Reasoning for Series and foundations(Writing intensive)(B), Probability Theory 1(B), Cryptology(A), Stochastic Process(C+)

Statistics courses: Computing C++(B)(transferred), Linear Algebra(A), Computing using R(B+), Probability Theory 2(expected A or A-?--no grade currently), Applied Statistics(C-, Worst grade ever in this semester. I'm doubted about this grade because I did average grades in two midterms and I think not too bad in final. I reached out to my instructor a week ago but get no reply until now.)

(Question: I have a GPA of 3.5 before this semesters poor grades. Currently there is a course that is still being graded, and I'm expecting an A or A-. And I also hold doubt to my grade in another course and would like to see my exam paper after winter break. But problem is some of the programs are ending in Jan. 1 before new semester begins. So should I still submit the latest transcript with these uncertain grade? Or submit an earlier version of 3.5 GPA without the grades in this semster?)

Main Experiences:

- Published a paper in China on a national magazine

- A dissertation on Bayesian Nonparametric Model in machine learning with a professor in math department

Competitions: MUDAC(Midwest Undergraduate Data Analysis Competition); MinneMUDAC(Similar as MUDAC)

Intern: Data Collector in China National Research Center of Social Condition and Public Opinion

Recommendation Letters: 

-One famous old professor in statistics department, going to do a research with him next semester.

-One associate professor for my linear regression course with grade A

-One associate professor who was our advisor for MUDAC competition and one of the judges for MinneMUDAC

-One professor in math department that supervised me on my dissertation

-One from instructor of my cryptology class, which I got an A

Interested Programs:

-Texas A&M statistics MS

- University of Chicago Stat MS

- Florida University Stat MS

-Purdue University Stat MS

- Ohio State University Stat MS

-University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Stat MS

-University of Illinois Urban Champaign, Stat MS

-University of Minnesota, TC, Stat MS

-University of Columbia, Stat MS

Preferred School:

Texas A&M; U of Michigan; U of Minnesota; Florida University; Purdue  etc.

 

These are MS programs I'm thinking of. I'm also thinking of continuing to phd study after master, so I personally prefer those universities that have chance for their master students to get admitted directly into phd program, such as Florida University. According to my profile, will I have large chances to get admitted to these programs I listed? I'm also happy to hear some other suggestions on suitable programs for me! Thanks a lot!!

[Black Beauty]

1 hour ago, applyyy said:

So should I still submit the latest transcript with these uncertain grade? Or submit an earlier version of 3.5 GPA without the grades in this semster?)

When is the final due date for submission of Fall semester grades? What is the earliest due date for your applications? 

If you have access to all grades before your first application is due, you should submit your latest transcript.

[applyyy]

5 hours ago, Black Beauty said:

When is the final due date for submission of Fall semester grades? What is the earliest due date for your applications? 

If you have access to all grades before your first application is due, you should submit your latest transcript.

The earliest deadline is Dec 31, and some are due on Jan 1. I'm thinking of submitting my previous transcript if that grade is still unavailable then. But I'll email people in the department to see their reply. Thanks for your answer though.

[light10491]

How is 3.33 low?

[applyyy]

12 hours ago, light10491 said:

How is 3.33 low?

I saw on the school website that successful students mostly have a 3.6 or higher. And students I know in my department have GPA around 3.8... That's why I'm worried..

[bposadas]

I followed a similar path where I didn't have a high GPA as an undergrad (2.8), did a master's first and am now in a PhD program.

From my experience, I can tell you your odds of getting into a master's program in the US with a low GPA will be higher than going straight into a PhD program. The vast majority of master programs are not funded, so you will be footing the bill. Thus, if you can prove you are capable in other places in your applications (which looks like you have), then any school will be happy to take your money.