<p>I am looking at hopefully applying to top graduate schools in a few years, and I want to get a feel for how bad this is...</p>
<p>First Semester at Cornell U.</p>
<p>Honor's physics: B+
Multivariable Calc: C-
Computer Science 100: A-
Writing: A
Concepts of Modern Physics: SX</p>
<p>GPA: 3.12</p>
<p>How bad will that one C- hurt me in my chances for grad school? I want to go into physics or applied physics for grad school.</p>
<p>Stop worrying!
It's far too soon to worry!</p>
<p>For whatever it is worth, my first year GPA at Harvard was only a 3.0 (it was my worst semester): A- in multivariable calculus, B+ in physics (intro mechanics),
B- in computer science, and a C+ in some foreign cultures class...</p>
<p>I still got in every grad program in physics (caltech, berkeley, harvard, mit, columbia, chicago).</p>
<p>I also had one good friend who got a D in an upper level required physics class his junior year... his overall record was excellent, had research experience, and great letters of rec... he still ended up at Caltech for his PhD.</p>
<p>One bad grade, or one bad semester, especially early in is NOT a killer.
All you can do is the best you can do... focus on getting research experience and getting to know one or two professors well so that they can write you excellent letters of rec.</p>
<p>I concur. It's way too early to panic, and GPA isn't everything. I would advise you to seek research opportunities and talk to your professors as soon as you can (or as soon as find a stronger interest in a particular subject) though. You have to make yourself known if you want good recommendations and research experience. Whatever you do, if you want to go to the best grad schools, you can't just be the hard-working but quiet student.</p>
<p>Hi Jerew,</p>
<p>I wouldn't worry about it too much. I'm a Cornell alum, and I majored in biology. My first semester was a total disaster (all B's and C's in intro bio / calculus / writing courses, and a C- in intro chem!), and I was totally devastated during that first winter break. I thought my career plans had gone down the drain in a single semester!</p>
<p>However, the rest of my time there, I got A's and a few B's and ended up graduating with honors. i'm currently applying for molecular biology PhD programs and have been getting a lot of favorable responses so far.</p>
<p>What I can tell you, from my experience is: definitely don't panic because most people have some blemishes on their record (and Cornell is known to be challenging in science/engineering). in fact, I've heard that it actually looks bad to graduate close to 4.0 because it's an indication that the person spent their entire college years living in the library. Just be prepared to work hard next year, and take it one semester at a time. Also, pay careful attention to your course selection because it can be extremely easy to get overwhelmed by choosing the wrong set of courses together in a semester. once you get used to the work load, Cornell's an awesome experience.</p>
<p>and like other people mentioned, make sure to get good research preparation, letters of recommendation, and prepare well for the GRE. as long as your final GPA is in the 3.3 - 3.8 range, you should be competitive for the majority of PhD programs.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Wow, thanks for the replies. I guess I am still worried about it, but I will def. work very hard this semester to improve. I am in Honor's Electricity and Magnetism and am in Nanoscience, Differential Equations and some other courses. I am hoping that taking tough/honor's courses right off the bat at Cornell will help improve my chances at good grad schools.</p>
<p>in fact, I've heard that it actually looks bad to graduate close to 4.0 because it's an indication that the person spent their entire college years living in the library.</p>
<p>I'm fairly sure that would not look bad.</p>
<p>jerew, can you clear your PMs? I wanted to send a message to you.</p>
<p>I like to divide schools into two piles as far as C's go:
1. those who stress having good GPA and test scores
2. those who stress your "functionality" - experience in the field outside of classroom and success in such setting
Cornell, for example, goes into that 1st category. Caltech is an example of the 2nd category.</p>
<p>Many schools will want you if you have good recommendation letters preferably from someone who knew you well and someone they know (someone somewhat famous). If you keep on getting C's but demonstrate that you can be successful in work outside of class then some really good schools will disregard your C's and accept you. Some schools have more of a propensity to do this than others. Ivies tend to stress scores more ...</p>
<p>and that's my take on it</p>
<p>I’m from Cornell too and I honestly think that you should be fine!</p>
<p>This thread is literally 8 years old.</p>