Eventually getting into a decent/good economics PhD program with a very low GPA

Graduate School
1

Hi, I am a undergrad senior who eventually wants to enroll in a decent or good PhD program, but I have an abyssal cumulative gpa of ~2.5 (~3.1 for my major). I obviously am aware that I will not be able to get into any PhD program (or even a Masters program) with these grades, so I would like to ask for advice as to what I should do now. I am going to work for a company after I graduate related to my field (I also have some generic work experience) and I currently have good GRE scores and letters of recommendations (will get more later when I can). I am going to take some classes (how many do people usually take in this sort of situation before being accepted? What sort of classes should I take? etc) and I assume that I should then attempt to apply to a Masters programs somewhere, do well in that, and then apply to a PhD program.

Is there any advice, tips, etc that might be beneficial for me to be aware of? (If there is any more information I should mention so that I get better advice, please let me know.)

2

Well, working is good, as it puts some time between you and your low GPA.

Take classes in your field, preferably at the graduate level, as a non-degree student. You need to show that you can succeed in graduate-level courses. At the very least, the courses should be upper-level rigorous undergraduate courses (300+) but really, they should be graduate courses. How many you will have to take will vary. For a master’s program, 2-3 should be sufficient, I think, but it really depends.

3

Second the recommendation above–take graduate courses and ace them. Get to know the profs teaching the courses you take–they can provide additional recommendations. Talk to them about your plans and see if they have any advice.