<p>What are my chances in getting into grad school in the top 60 for MS? My situation is this: I graduated from the University of Minnesota: Twin Cities in 2006, with BS in CSci, but ended up with an overall GPA of 2.57, struggling mostly in the first few years of undergrad.</p>
<p>After graduating, I've been working in the IT field and have picked up quite a bit of experience, as well as earning several certifications (i.e. Network+, Security+, MCSE, etc.). I'm going to be taking the GRE very soon and am confident that I can ace it with ease and have great references to rely on for LoRs.</p>
<p>However, I'm very worried that no matter how well I do on the GREs or how good my LoRs are, that my low GPA from undergrad is going to destroy my chances from getting into (any) grad school, as it seems like most (or all?) have a 3.0 GPA minimum. </p>
<p>Should I go ahead with applications, or would this be a lost cause, given my low undergrad GPA?</p>
<p>You can get in for terminal MS in the lower end of the top 60 with good work experience. Devote a paragraph or two in your State of Purpose (admissions essay) discussing why your GPA is low and why you’re qualified anyway.</p>
<p>The generic 3.0 minimum GPA requirement is usually (but not always) set by the university’s graduate school, not the individual departments. So there is still the possibility that some CS departments may be more flexible. Prior to applying, email CS admissions at schools that you’re applying to and ask whether the 3.0 requirement is a hard or soft rule. Adhere to whatever they say.</p>
<p>A top 20 PhD program accepted someone with 6.8 years of experience in their related field with 2.6 GPA, ok GRE and LOR for PhD, which the main reason was “the years of experience that person had”</p>
<p>So you definitely have some hope (especially since you’re MSing which has lower GPA req), but ace that GRE (1450+ with 790-800Q for sure/5.5+ writing), and try applying MS to many schools.</p>