(Revised) What are my chances of getting into graduate school with a mediocre GPA?
Question:
(GRE: 530 verbal, 760 quantitative, 5.0 analytical).
However, I have 1.5yrs of full-time research work and 3 excellent letters of recommendation from people who I know think highly of my research capabilities.
I am also going to graduate on time, within the traditional 4yrs, even though I took a year off (got accepted to a year-long research fellowship) although I'm not sure if that helps any.
Also, none of the 3 references are my professors. Does that hurt my chances? Two are from scientist's who I've worked directly with and the third is my advisor who knows me personally and is very well respected in the science community. All 3 are phDs and published.
Also, I am female and a US citizen (not minority, though). I'll also need funding.
Help?
Answer:
I had a low undergrad GPA (due to partying) but decent GRE scores. I was allowed into grad school on a probation basis meaning I had to keep a 3.0 for at least 2 semesters. Which I did and even beyond (funny what you can accomplish with partying all of the time). Now, if you are in grad school and can't make a 3.0, you don't need to be there.
Generally.. it is a little rough particularly into graduate school.. I had to have a 3.0 average but nowadays(sadly to say) schools are so very hungry for money, they will let most anyone in with any type of grade so you would have to check that out with the particular school you are interested in.
Wow! I would suggest trying to retake the GRE verbal, because that score is a disaster, no matter anything else. Your GPA is not really that bad, depending on how grades were in your major. (A C in an elective in History doesn't much matter compared to grades in bio and chem) Graduating on timedespite a year off looks very good, as does the research you mention. Get yourself at least one more letter, but make sure it is from one of your professors--in your major! The letters you have are good, but grad schools want to hear from people who had you in class, not just employers or advisors.
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