<p>As the final semester of my Junior year just ended and grades are beginning to come in, my paranoia regarding grad school continues.</p>
<p>My question this time is the following:</p>
<p>It seems that after all grades come in, my overall GPA will drop from a 3.5 to a 3.47-3.49 (which is irritating). I know that the difference between the two (3.5 and a 3.47) is not large, but I am paranoid that many grad schools will simply "discard" my application since it is not a 3.5. Is this a valid concern?</p>
<p>Furthermore, I was thinking that since many of the applications for grad schools are due either January 1st or 15th, I would be able to include my grades from Fall 2009 in my application. Since I am confident that my GPA will rise from a 3.49 overall to a 3.6 with the inclusion of the Fall 2009 semester's grades, I was thinking about perhaps sending in everything BUT the official transcripts and waiting until grades are posted (usually around Christmas) and then sending the transcripts in. </p>
<p>Basically, should I send in my transcripts with an overall GPA of 3.49 (which will be calculated based on 3 years) or wait until the last minute (a week before the full application is due) and send in a transcript that will most likely have an overall GPA of a 3.6 (which will be calculated based on 3.5 years)?</p>
<p>Should I take the risk of waiting until last minute just so that the schools I am applying to will judge my application on a GPA of 3.6 instead of 3.49? Is there really that much of a difference between a 3.6 and a 3.49 (meaning, would a school that rejects me with a 3.49 really take me with a 3.6?)? </p>
<p>I'd appreciate any response (excuse the paranoia).</p>
<p>Depending on your other qualifications, it could not matter. I would venture that that if you sent in your application earlier, and included an addendum stating what you expect your final grades to be and why, then that would be better. Timing may outweigh the .1.</p>
<p>I understand the paranoia but agree with TP: timing beats the .1.
Remember, a lot of colleges will not be at their most efficient at sending out transcripts over the holidays anyway.</p>
<p>You could send them an official transcript early, and then supplement your application with an unofficial transcript after grades come in. You ought to be able to give them the unofficial one as a pdf through the application website, so you don’t have to worry about the mail system, too.</p>
<p>Do not wait until the last minute. Things go wrong, stuff gets lost in the mail, and generally you have to request your transcripts some time in advance of the deadline. What you should do, if you want to wait for your fall 2009 grades, is one of two things:</p>
<p>1) Send your transcript and check the box that says “send after fall 2009 grades” or something akin to that. This way, your transcripts are ordered, but they are sent as soon as possible.</p>
<p>2) Send yout transcripts immediately, and then send updated transcripts when you get them.</p>
<p>Also, your GPA may not matter THAT much. What you got the grades in is more important than the overall number that represents them. If you have a 3.49 (which, honestly, .01 of a point? Don’t harp on this, you’re stressing out over nothing) but you still have a 3.6 in your major, no one is going to care that you got a B in gym or painting or whatever.</p>
<p>I agree–the .01 is not a big deal. Its kinda like my friend who was upset because she thought she gained .6 of a pound at weight watchers one time.
It’s not really enough for anyone to notice.
And it’s much more important to get all your application materials in on time and complete, Either let them know you’ll be sending the transcripts late (if that is an option) or send them now and send an updated version.
But hopefully you’ve been or you will be communicating with some of the professors in some of the programs in the schools you’re applying to…so you could send them a quick email heads-up.</p>