<p>I have applied to some tier 1 US schools for EE programs for PhD/MS, and I am more or less concerned about my GPA. It is only around 3.26, and the most recent semester I got 3.50. However, I am in a really tough program, called Engineering Science at University of Toronto, which is known for giving harsh grades on courses. How will this take into consideration of the admission decisions? Even though my school uses the 4.0 grading scale, I think it is still more or less a different system than in the US? I think I have strong LORs, SOPs, and I do have research + internship experience in related fields. My GRE is 157V/167Q/5.0AW. I also expressed my fit in all the programs that I applied in my SOPs.</p>
<p>If you apply to the most selective programs, they always have a lot of applicants and they have to make a first cut on who to consider seriously. Your GRE scores are good and that is a plus. I can’t say how these schools will look at your GPA but I think that if you get past the initial triage, your letters of reference will be more important than your GPA. Because of the selectivity, you have to keep in mind that a rejection is not a statement of your qualifications but just a question of numbers.</p>
<p>I hope you have also applied to some schools where you are pretty certain to get in and which are also places you would be happy attending.</p>