<p>One of my professors, a very cynically blunt but nice man, stated that college grades are not that important. He has his MA in Art, and says that grades are the last thing that grad schools look at. While I doubt that is entirely true, is getting into grad school for the sciences primarily based on research experience as an undergrad? Are the grades just something to put you over the top if they're exceptionally good? As college students with possible plans to get our MAs and/or PhDs, should we put more focus on trying to work with a faculty member rather than in primarily schoolwork?</p>
<p>The impression that I'm getting from talking with professors about applying for biology PhD programs this year is that undergraduate research is definitely more important than a perfect GPA, but that you shouldn't exactly slack on the GPA either.</p>
<p>I have a 3.45 cumulative GPA, which I was a little concerned about; the prof I was talking to said that was absolutely fine for top PhD programs, since I'll have over three years of research experience by the time I go to grad school.</p>
<p>Surely exceptional research could overcome the worst GPA. Although few people pursuing their BAs or BSs (much less PhDs or PostDocs or established profs) will do this in their lifetimes, but some factors have to explain people with low GPAs getting into top programs, and this is probably a big one.</p>
<p>I would say that a person with an excellent gpa is about equivalent to a decent student with research experience. Research experience is important because it tells them that you're accustomed to disappointment and trying different things to solve problems. Of course, it helps if you have the knowledge from your classes to help you do that.</p>
<p>Okay, so here's how it works for most admissions to political science programs:</p>
<ol>
<li> GRE (this is usually considered a great indicator of initial success)</li>
<li> GPA</li>
<li> See if there's a gap. If the GRE is high, and the GPA low, then the student might be lazy. If the GPA is high and the GRE low, the student might not have challenged herself with good classes.</li>
<li> Research, experience, etc. The essay is VERY VERY important. Graduate admissions read these things like you wouldn't believe. And believe me, professors aren't dumb. They know when someone is not being genuine. They want to know that you have a reason to be there. "Because I want a PhD and to be super smart and a great professor!" is not a good reason. Why do you want to pursue a degree that professors see as a stepping stone to research?<br></li>
<li> Letters of rec. Most professors understand that it's sometimes hard to get letters because you attended a giant school where noboby knows anyone. Regardless, letters that show that you went the extra mile go super far in helping you past the door. Profs. all know each other, like some weird incestuous family.<br></li>
</ol>
<p>For top poli sci programs, the GPA is basically seen either as a red flag or a green flag. Above a 3.7 or so is a "green flag" and no more thought is put into it. Below a 3.5 is a red flag, and they might think twice. The same goes for hard sciences, but the GPA range is obviously different.</p>
<p>I would have to second that in the sciences (I'm personally familiar with biology) research experience is by far the most important part of your application. Your GRE and GPA will be looked at as qualifying factors, you must meet certain requirements, but what will get one student accepted over another is their research experience, where they did, who they worked with, what they accomplished, what they learned from it, you get the idea. Remember in a phd program you will be in classes for one maybe two years, while you will potentially be working in the lab for a good five or six.</p>