<p>Hey everyone, I'm hoping you can help me out with an issue I've been worrying about for quite some time. I just graduated from college and am taking a year off before applying to grad school for Fall 2013. My issue is that my cumulative GPA is only 3.3 because I had a relapse of my eating disorder during my first two years of school. However, my junior and senior year GPAs are 3.8, I have a good writing sample, 3 excellent recommendations from prestigious professors, research experience, relevant leadership experience, and membership in my field's honor society. I haven't taken the GRE yet, but am currently studying hard for it and hope to do well. I will soon be applying to graduate schools (both master's and doctorate programs) and am worried that my 3.3 cumulative GPA will keep me from being accepted. I have worked very hard during the past two years to show that I will do well in graduate school, but I don't know if it's going to be enough. I would really appreciate some insight here. Thank you!</p>
<p>Well it depends on each school’s individual acceptance rates and the typical applicant pool. However, there are always exceptions to the typically accepted student pool, and your case definitely seems like one of those cases. You’re a case where you’re a very good student, however some big personal issues kept you from performing to your highest capability at first. Some schools may deny you because of it, some schools may make an exception. In a situation like yours (I’m also in that boat, only as an undergrad applicant), it’s really difficult to predict your chances of getting into schools because of your situation and whether or not the schools will look far enough into you as a person/student to see your real potential.</p>
<p>What is your intended field? </p>
<p>You’ll get into a Master’s program. A 3.3 shouldn’t keep you out of a doctorate program either (especially with all of your other qualifications).</p>
<p>Hey,</p>
<p>I had a 2.5gpa my first semester of college and a 4.0 on my last semester and never mentioned anything about my grades in my applications. Now I’m a graduate student at Harvard. My point: strong applicants will stand out regardless of history. It’s about where you are going…not where u came from. You will be fine. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you so much to everyone who answered! I’ve been worried sick over this for so long and even little assurances help me a great deal. jayeyesee, my intended field is Feminist and Gender Theories. I have a B.S. in Sociology with a concentration in Social Inequalities and a minor in Women’s Studies. I hope to be a professor someday.</p>