Hello everyone,
I am an undergrad with a terrible GPA at UC Berkeley. I am majoring in Political Science with a focus on International Relations and a specialization in the Middle East.
I transferred to the university with honors/very high GPA (3.8) from a smaller college and have had some serious personal issues get in the way of my academics at Berkeley itself since then.
I have taken a year off at Cal because of those issues but used this gap year to build my credentials in my field (worked in refugee camps, etc).
I have a big gap in my studies, and currently have an 2.845.
I am going into my final year now and really want to pursue going to my dream grad schools despite this setback. Is there any hope for me in terms of getting admitted or do should I seriously consider post-grad? I’ve heard that these schools have a very ‘holistic’ approach when it comes to admitting students but I am not sure…
Please help. Thanks!
Even if the rest of your application is strong, chances are slim at best for any graduate program with a GPA below 3.0. Is there any way you can bring your GPA up to a 3.0 or above? That would probably be the thing to do before applying.
Not sure who told you that Trinity or Oxford are holistic?! Oxford is specific that a 3.7/4.0 is the minimum, and the only supplemental info they accept (besides your references and statement of purpose) are things like relevant publications in peer-reviewed journals). Trinity is much more flexible (and very welcoming to Americans and their $$), but expect a 3.5+ GPA. A GPA under 3.0 is simply not a runner for a state university, much less higher-end options.
But, masters programs are something in which experience can make up for a week undergrad. Graduate, get meaningful / relevant work, take some grad school classes (to show that you can handle work at that level) and apply in 2-3 years.