<p>Hello, I am a freshman at the University of Michigan. I am thinking of pursuing a PhD in Applied Mathematics or Economics. I was curious has to how grades in courses not related to my major will be interpreted by a graduate admissions committee because I believe I will recieve a B in a humanities class like i did the previous semester. Also I am in a honors intro physics class where the professor is old and practically senile so he does not teach but gives highly theorectical tests. Is there anyway I can show that my grade in that class does not reflect my ability when given the correct environment to learn? Do I write letters explaining the situation when I do actually start applying? Also I have been going to graduate admissions websites and they have pages stating a commitment to diversity... how much does being a urm play in admissions to graduate school? Thank you for your time</p>
<p>usaisaok,</p>
<p>How's your major GPA so far? A couple Bs by no means will preclude you from graduate study.</p>
<p>Besides, you have plenty of time to bring your GPA up if it's not currently to your liking.</p>
<p>i have an a minus in my first math class which was calc two honors, i had no previous experience with calc two before taking it last fall. So my major gpa stands at a 3.7</p>
<p>I was accepted into a Applied Math PhD program (Top 25), and they only asked for the GPA for the last 60 hours and my major GPA. I don't think they could care less about B's earned in something outside your major, especially during your freshman year. I wouldn't recommend commenting on any grades less than a B, but any abnormalities should be discussed in an addendum.</p>
<p>The grad adcom doesn't rely solely on your GPA, there is also your Subject GRE, General GRE, Statement of Purpose, research experience, and letters of recommendations. If you feel your GPA is a little low, you have 3 more years to bring it up, and courses you take your junior & senior years are weighted more than your freshman year, I believe. You are worrying about this way too soon, just keep your grades up and do summer research, which usually can alleviate a low GPA.</p>
<p>Being an URM, I don't know if this affects it, I guess it depends on the school and their level of committement to diversity. I know they are looking to increase the number of URM's in the science and technology fields.</p>