<p>Ok, so here's my profile:
overall gpa: 2.8
junior year gpa: 1.9.....I had a death in the family and a major health issue (my advisor put an addendum in my transcript)
senior year gpa: 3.1
my major: ME + MSE from uc berkeley
extra curriculars(chronologically): worked at Nissan North America at 15, did cancer research(high school), transportation research(college), did two so-so jobs to support my grandmother during the death, had a position with a Physics PI at lawrence national lab for a year, now I've discontinued with him to start another position with a mat.sci PI at lawrence lab. </p>
<p>I'm taking an extra semester, so I will graduate in Dec of 2010 (which means I will start applying in 7 months or whatever). For now I want to do a Masters in either Biomedical Engineering or Mech. engineering. I have not taken the GRE yet.</p>
<p>my questions:
1. I am damn scared of applying, due to my Junior year 'mess-up'/circumstances. do colleges really look at the addendums in transcripts? because if my Upper division gpa was 3.0 with my extracurriculars my chances would be different.</p>
<ol>
<li>what are my safety schools?</li>
<li>what are my so-so schools?</li>
<li>what are my dream schools?</li>
<li>any tips for the future?
^I havent talked to many grad students about admissions</li>
</ol>
<p>many thanks for the help.</p>