<p>I am a recent graduate of Rice University, with a BA in Ecology. I am applying for PhD programs in marine biology/oceanography, especially looking at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. However, most programs I am looking at (including that one) have a minimum 3.00 GPA, and mine is 2.85 due to complications during one of my years of college that caused me to fail Organic Chemistry the first time I took it. My in-major GPA is above 3.0 (about 3.3, haven't calculated it in a while), I have plenty of research experience and a published paper, and my projected GRE scores are 164 V/164 Q after taking the first timed practice test.</p>
<p>Does my substandard GPA prevent me from getting into a funded program? Will the admissions committee even look at me, even if I do have contact with a possible advisor beforehand? I have been out of college for a few months now, and I have not been able to find employment or an internship within my field, which I had hoped to use to bolster my chances... I figure applying now is better than working at minimum wage for another year and hoping I get a nearby position in my field.</p>
<p>Some schools have minimum GPAs, some don’t. Double check for each program before spending time on an application that is going to be discarded because of their rules.</p>
<p>If they are willing to consider your application with your GPA, you are going to have to really stand out in other ways. Lots of research experience should help, and your GRE is quite good, but I think in your case having really great LOR and SOP are important to make up for the GPA.</p>
<p>My question, though - why do you want to go to graduate school? Is it just because you can’t find work in your field? Going for a PhD just because of lack of employment is generally seen in a… less than positive light, because of the commitment and expectations of a PhD program. It is much more likely to be funded than a master’s degree, but especially with your GPA, it would also be much harder to get into. If you don’t have a clear research focus, either, your life will be more difficult on this front.</p>
<p>I always planned on going to graduate school, but I thought that I should find work in my field first to get more experience to make up for my GPA. I want to go to graduate school to do research, not because I can’t find work… I also want to be a professor, and a PhD is necessary for that.</p>
<p>Thanks for your advice. Getting amazing LORs might be difficult for me, but there are a some people I might be able to get good ones from.</p>
<p>If you have a 3.3 in your major, you don’t only have a 2.85 because you failed organic chemistry once; you have a 2.85 because of that plus overall low to mediocre grades in some other courses. Generally speaking the way to make up for a low cumulative GPA is to have a high (3.5+) major GPA.</p>
<p>Will your GPA alone prevent you from getting into some programs? Perhaps, but program admissions are done holistically so there are some programs that may be willing to admit you especially since you have excellent experience and a published paper. Make sure that your application package is otherwise outstanding, and especially that you have strong letters of recommendation from professors who can attest to your ability to complete college-level work. Programs that have stated minimums may not consider your application.</p>
<p>When you apply, also apply to some MS programs in your field. With a low GPA you may need to do an MS first before you can proceed to a PhD.</p>
<p>Yeah, I’ve been considering doing a masters program with a thesis to strengthen both my application package for a PhD program, and my research ability and experience specifically within my field (the program at Rice covered basic ecology and evolution, but barely any biological oceanography)… although most of my family members seem to think that would be a waste of time, for some reason. </p>
<p>Thank you for the advice. I guess that I should start contacting professors for letters of recommendation ASAP.</p>
<p>If you have a possible supervisor, then you may need his help. His department may be able to write the grad school so you don’t get screened out before you even go through to the department. This is assuming you have someone onboard that wants you to work with him. Having the higher gpa in your major will likely be an important factor, so point that out in your SOP.</p>
<p>Search gradcafe for threads of success stories of sub 3.0 accepted students, there’s one for 2012. Read what they did to gain admit. There are even some snippets of helpful rejection letters.</p>
<p>What, is your family experts in the field or grad admissions or something? Have them write your LORs!</p>