<p>I'm currently a junior at UT Austin in the College of Communication majoring in CSD (specifically speech pathology). I have a 3.126 gpa overall right now. </p>
<p>Basically, I transferred in as a sophomore and managed to do quite well semester, but completely ruined my second semester which dropped my gpa down to a 3.0. I ended doing poorly this semester as well but I did manage to bring my gpa up to a 3.1 because of getting an A- in a 6 hour language class. I did not realize the importance of junior year until now. </p>
<p>It is extremely important to go to Graduate School for my major and after reading graduate school admission policies online, the minimum gpa required is a 3.0 but most people apply with the 3.5-3.7 range with high GRE scores, great rec letters... I know I have next year (15 credit hours) and summer school (12 credit hours, might petition for 15) and haven't taken the GRE yet. I do also have senior year first semester but I'm not sure if the grades will be seen by the admisisons people because some apps are due in december. I was thinking of applying to schools with apps due in feburary/march because I can send in applications after winter break not only so I can show them my most recent grades by then, but also because I applied into my major late and haven't taken alot of classes related to my major, especially Upper division classes. Basically if I get a 4.0 during next semster + 12 hours in the summer I can pull my GPA up to a 3.43</p>
<p>As for extracurriculars, I have done 60 hours of service this year and am in two clubs. Just in case you were wondering. I honestly though the reputation of UT would look good on my transcripts, but it scares me that is doesnt mean much. </p>
<p>Basically what I'm asking is, do I still have a chance to get into graduate school? I'm not applying to any Ivy leagues, but I do want to stay in the state of Texas. It really scares me that I wont get into grad school because without a Masters I wont be able to get a job.</p>
<p>Extracurriculars are entirely meaningless for graduate school admissions.</p>
<p>Your best option may be to take a year off and apply the fall after your senior year is completed. That way, your entire senior-year transcript will be included in your GPA, and presumably will have a much stronger performance. You need to show a clear improvement trend. Given your past performance, getting a 4.0 is not something you can just assume will happen.</p>
<p>I’ll echo the above. Either way, to answer your question, it is possible for you to get into a graduate program. What caliber of graduate program you get into will depend entirely on you and your credentials. Relevant experience (through work, research, etc), stellar LORs on your behalf, and a well-articulated SOP can help you out tremendously. You also have to take the GRE into account.</p>
<p>I actually got a 3.85 my fresman year second semester (pulled it up from a 3.0) so I believe I do have the potential for getting a 4.0, although in reality I know it will be way harder. I have gotten lazy/arrogant as a sophomore and didn’t realize the importance of the GPA until now. Also, although I have junior status, I have only taken about 2 UD classes since I was finishing up my prereqs the first two years of school. Besides, this year I’m taking Arabic 2 (6 credit hours) and an Easy A upper division course which will lead me with more time to spend time on my other 2 csd classes. </p>
<p>I am considering other programs that have graduate school applications due in July. I was thinking of taking 15 credit hours this spring and 12 hours in the summer and 15 hours in the fall and transferring all my grades after Fall 2012 (there is that option) and applying in Feburary.</p>
<p>I’m not applying IVY league or UT austin again and was thinking of smaller state schools. I know i can get into a grad schol but i have no idea where to apply. the thing im most scared about is getting the research requirment + trying to show grad schools im willling to learn.</p>