<p>Help! my RA is a math genius and he got into stanford math program which only takes like 20 applicants a year! I am at the University of Michigan. He got approximately a 4.0 throughout undergrad. I have a 3.4 first semester freshman year and this semester isnt looking any better, do you think I still have a shot at competitive math programs such as ivies stanford etc? thanks!</p>
<p>OK... I only know two people who went to Stanford. And unfortunately for you they both were top of their respective classes (which means best grades of about 20 000 undergrads). But don't despair. GPA isn't everything. For grad school, you need research potential. So that means research experience and good recommendations, so try to look into that as early as possible. Getting into Ivies without 4.0 I've seen plenty of (though you will have to bring that GPA up still, but that shouldn't be too difficult).</p>
<p>Your first semester freshman year is not the end of your academic career. Just keep working on it and try to get into some decent research programs.</p>
<p>If you done poorly in quantatiative subjects only (not failed, but C-range) throughout undergrad, have excellent letters of recommendations, strengths in writing papers, and want to pursue a career in sociology and policy, is it best to go to a Masters programs so that you can boost your GPA and research potential for the top schools?</p>