Checkered Transcript - Chances at Grad School?

Graduate School
1

<p>I'm currently an undergraduate in my 3rd year of a 5 year Psychobiology program looking to get into Neuroscience programs (or particularly MIT's media lab). I unfortunately have a transcript riddled with W's, no grades, and an incomplete. </p>

<p>The reason for this is due to several medical leaves. My poor health at the time led to turbulent freshman/sophomore years -- after successful treatment and high hopes I would register for courses, be able to attend school regularly for a few months, only to have my health take a turn for the worse, and I'd have to take another medical leave.</p>

<p>I'm finally better and have been so for almost a year now. Since returning I've completed 3 semesters of course work in 2 semesters time, with a cumulative GPA of 3.86. I'm completing my first year of research and have just published a paper as a main contributor. I have secured another research opportunity in a different lab as my current PI is going on sabbatical in May.</p>

<p>I hope to finish my last two years with good grades and solid research experience, but I don't know if that will suffice. I'm wholly aware that neuroscience programs and MIT's Media Lab are highly competitive. </p>

<p>Does my checkered transcript ruin my chances of acceptance to these programs? I'm not too familiar with graduate applications and I don't know if I would have a chance to explain the W's (in the case that a program offers interviews by invitation only), or if explanation would even make a difference.</p>

<p>Any input would be greatly appreciated...</p>

2

<p>I don’t think it ruins it… I mean you should certainly explain what is going on, otherwise you could have a problem, but if you have a legit reason for withdrawing I don’t think they will immediately count you out</p>

3

<p>It is not easy, but you should be able to overcome it, the important thing is showing through the way you finish and your research work, that you have determined the problem and fixed it or learned to avoid triggers or whatever it is you need to do so that you don’t crash into a wall and W from the term repeatedly. Anyone can understand that it may take a few times to understand what is wrong and why it happens.</p>