Grad School, Even a Chance?

Graduate School
1

<p>Hi all. I'm a molecular cell biology major in the second semester of my junior year. Due to trouble adjusting to school and a poor initial major choice, I'm currently stuck with a 2.77. I am confident that I can raise this to a 3.0 before I graduate but am considering graduate school. At the end of the summer, I'll have a year of research experience in an organic chemistry lab and I've been working there about 20 hours a week. Additionally, I've held a part time job since the summer after my freshman to finance my education (parents only pay for tuition and I come up with the rest) and that sums up to around 10-12 hours a week.</p>

<p>Honestly, I've been stressing out over my grades just about every day and I'm at the point where it feels like there's no hope for me. Professors always tell me to improve my grades and I can honestly say I work extremely hard and try to improve my transcript but As/A-s in my major classes are always out of reach. I'm shooting to get at least one A this semester and around a 3.7-3.8 GPA but even with that, my situation just seems so hopeless despite my consistent improvement within the last year. Aside from my PI in the lab, I have no idea what professors I could go to for letters of recommendation when I got Bs in their classes. My major GPA is crap because of a single C I got when I was still in chemical engineering and unless I get a A and a B+ in my classes this semester, it's going to stay below a 3.0</p>

<p>Gah, I despair over this so much and I'm super stressed from both this and family issues (parents are probably going to divorce). I am at a loss for what to do and I wake up every day discouraged and disappointed with myself. Because most jobs require a 3.0, I'm not even that confident that I could get a job if grad school falls through and the idea of moving back in with my parents terrifies me.</p>

<p>I'm just at a loss for what to do and my motivation is dwindling due to my constant worrying. Any advice would be a godsend and thank you for reading.</p>

2

<p>Well, I can’t be of much help because I’m a low GPA-er also, but I haven’t applied to grad school yet (will be applying this fall)</p>

<p>My GPA is a nice 3.06, and I definitely freak out about getting into grad school (cell bio) on a regular basis. I’m graduated and have about 3 years of research and a 2nd author paper, decent GREs. I have 1 excellent letter, 1 good one, and 1 nice but semi-throw-away. My plan is to just apply to a lot of schools and write an awesome statement of purpose. I’m also taking the subject GRE this spring (I have nothing better to do than study, and I figure if I don’t do well I just won’t send them). Everyone I’ve talked to has told me to apply despite my low GPA, so we’ll see how it goes.</p>

<p>As it is, you can’t really apply for grad school this coming fall… might as well put it off 1+ years so that your transcripts will include senior year grades and more research experience. You still have 3 semesters to drag that GPA up, and the upward trend is at least better than my back-and-forth grades. If you don’t hit 3.0 while in school, you could consider taking some post-bacc classes to boost it. Most schools have a solid minimum of 3.0… and even for my GPA, I think a lot of schools will toss my app without even looking through it. Research and letters are supposed to be the biggest factor, so just keep trying to get experience, and see if you can find a prof while in your senior year who can write you a letter.</p>

<p>Good luck… I feel your pain/stress! :)</p>

3

<p>@parafilm: Thanks for sharing your experiences and giving your advice! I too will work on getting some awesome letters of recommendation from professors and give this thing a shot!</p>