<p>I'm halfway through my bachelor degree here in Sweden, and have started to think about doing a major in the US. For the universities I'm looking at I will probably need a GPA of 3.5. My current GPA is lower than that, and I'll need to do really well the last year to achieve that 3.5.</p>
<p>From what I've read, deadlines for fall applications are sometime between december-february, almost 10 months before it all starts i.e. Will they look at my application before I've submitted my final grades? And what about GMAT and GRE results, can I add a later (possibly higher) result to my application after I've sent in my initial application?</p>
<p>Check the websites of the places that you are interested in for information about due dates for grad school applications. That way you will know which exams you need to take, and when you will need to take them. You will send your current transcript when you apply. After you finish your academic year, you will send your final transcript. If you have very bad grades your last term, your offer of admission might be rescinded, so don’t get lazy that last term!</p>
<p>Undergrad in Sweden is only 3 years
We do our finals in mid-january (first term, third year), and get our grades late february</p>
<p>This means, if due date is in december or january (which is common, from what I’ve read), my application will be missing one third of my final grades. As I said, my plan is to improve my grades during the last year to reach a GPA of 3.5. If I apply in january e.g, my GPA will be ~3.1-3.2. If they make their judgement based on that I will most likely be rejected.</p>
<p>I’ve read earlier that grad schools will look more at grades from the last 2 years. If what you say is true, that they will judge my application before they’ve got my final transcript then I won’t even get to show them my last year improvement before they have discarded my application (?) :(</p>
<p>Clearly, in your case it would be wiser to get your GPA up as high as can be, and only afterwards apply to grad school. Waiting a year between undergraduate and grad school won’t matter, especially if you decide to do something interesting in the field of your studies during that year. </p>
<p>Aw, okay. I already waited 2 years between secondary school and undergrad, which is common thing to do here. But that also makes me not want to wait another year. Should look for other alternatives then</p>