<p>My GPA is 2.9 from a top engineering undergrad program. My major is Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Product Design and Development and now I'm looking at applying to graduate schools in fall of 2009. I am focusing on the west coast, primarily in California, and most graduate schools that I've contacted have a requirement of 3.0 minimum gpa. I had a medical condition (which is better now) and I also have LD which contributed to the low GPA. Two of my professors will provide great letters of recommendation (they are from MIT and Stanford, respectively) and I have great research, a patent pending, and top internship experience. I would like to go into a program in product design or media studies. I am realizing that the only route is to work in product design for a couple of years and prove myself before applying but I would really prefer to apply next fall and go to grad school while I have the momentum. I have not taken the GRE yet but I have done very well on the ETS practice tests. Do I have any chance at a top program with a low GPA?</p>
<p>What school did u go to? How did u find top internship with a low GPA?</p>
<p>There are a few schools which have really hard rules on gpa or gre, but they are in the minority. The biggest thing for you is to start contacting your prospective schools and finding out what you need to do - I think many will be receptive in your case.</p>
<p>I have found internships primarily through personal acquaintances. For the physics lab I contacted a PhD engineering student I knew and she was able to arrange an interview and I was offered the internship.</p>
<p>I’m sorry to say this, but from my personal experience, GPA is really one of the **key **factors in grad school application.</p>
<p>My advice for you is do not have too high of expectation, make sure to have schools in different tiers. GPA is a great way to measure a student’s academic skills.</p>
<p>I see. Undergraduate school’s reputation can be a factor i.e. Stanford, MIT, Caltech. Which school did u attend?</p>
<p>Not to refer you to another forum, but if you go to [Grad</a> School Admissions Results, Discussions, Tips, Forums, Help • thegradcafe.com](<a href=“http://www.thegradcafe.com%5DGrad”>http://www.thegradcafe.com) and look for the member named belowthree, he can probably help you more than I can.</p>
<p>Regardless, there are people who get into some good programs despite a low gpa - the trick is finding out which programs will give you a shot.</p>
<p>Which engineering undergraduate school did you go to? :)</p>
<p>San Jose State accepts a GPA of 2.9 for M.S. materials IIRC. :D</p>
<p>chaospaladin just reminds me----are you looking at MS or PhD? they are totally different stories</p>
<p>for MS you can get in top program with low GPA easy , if you some shining points
but for PhD… below 3.0 is usually an instant filtering</p>
<p>I would be going for a Masters (MS), definitely not interested in a PhD. I want to get find a graduate school program with hands-on experience in product design and development (hopefully in California).</p>
<p>you are paying to get your MS, you are basically buying the degree, whereas for PhD—schools pays you, so it’s good news for you</p>
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<p>Anyone who chooses the PhD track in engineering because you get your schooling paid for is missing the forest for the trees.</p>
<p>@ gthopeful, what do you mean? I said PhD pays for your school therefore it’s much more difficult to get into a PhD program versus a master’s program. I didn’t say anything about the forest for the trees</p>
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<p>That’s not what I read. I think you’ll agree with me that you made an ambiguous statement; “Good news for you” appears to be attached to “PhD—school pays you”, implying that you’re suggesting the benefits of a PhD without anyone saying they wanted to do one.</p>
<p>lol that’s misunderstanding, the “good news for you” means the OP is NOT going for PhD, hence it’s easier for her to get in master’s degree</p>
<p>cmon, PhD’s stipend is like what… 25k/yr? I can make more by working in McD’s, you should read my complete post before making such harsh judgements</p>
<p>I received a very generous undergraduate scholarship so I do have funds for grad school and, as I said; I have the momentum and would like to keep going without a break so an MS makes sense. The pinnacle of design programs is the one at Stanford but that requires work experience before applying. I dont believe with the low GPA Stanford would work so thats why Im looking for other options that people have experienced in product design programs in California and would like to share their input.</p>