<p>I'm currently a senior, double majoring in Neuroscience and psychology. I'm taking a year off before applying to grad schools (PhD in neuroscience) and I'm really worried about my chances because of two pitfalls in my transcript. I attended an Ivy League school for one semester my freshman year but family circumstances leading to stress and anxiety caused me to transfer to a state school closer to home (left with a 2.8 GPA). Secondly, my junior year I got really sick and had to withdraw from an entire semester just a few weeks in.
However, my projected graduation GPA will be a 3.88 and I have 3 years of research experience, a publication, and two fellowships under my belt. </p>
<p>Any ideas if I'm a strong applicant? Thanks!</p>
<p>Your own professors and the PIs of the labs where you worked/are working are the people who are best able to evaluate this. Ask them. They know your particular strengths, and they will be the ones who will be writing your LORs.</p>
<p>Thanks happymomof1. I’ve actually spoken to my LOR writers and they think I am a very strong candidate in terms of my research experience (I will have very strong LORs). My concern is whether my transcript pitfalls will override the other components of my application. Unfortunately my professors haven’t been able to comment on this aspect.</p>
<p>The last two years will have more weight than the first year. You should ask your LOR writers to mention something about your Junior year illness. If your GRE scores are good you should at least get a look. Just make sure to apply to some programs your mentors feel you could get into easily as well as more selective programs.</p>
<p>If you are projected to graduate with a 3.88 (or really, anything over a 3.5) despite the difficulties you had in your first year, that means you did very well in your last 2-3 years and I doubt that your freshman performance will have a significant impact on your admissions. I agree with @xraymancs - get a close advisor to write about this in their letters, explaining that you had some health issues that caused you problems but that you are an excellent student and a promising researcher.</p>
<p>I think you still sound like a strong applicant.</p>