graduating from USC Civil Eng, with GPA = 2.74. Medical Exception. Engineering Grad Chances?

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>I am graduating from a top Eng school, University of Southern California, with a Major in Civil Eng (Environmental), and Minor in Construction Management with a GPA of 2.74. I transferred from a community college, so when considering both cumulative GPAs = 3.15. </p>

<p>I have had a major medical emergency during my second year in USC. I was diagnosed with spinal tumor and had to get emergency surgery right after my Fall Semester. As a result my GPA suffered and could not recover even after 2.5 years. I maintained a GPA of about 2.7 after my surgery. </p>

<p>I am planning on applying (for spring & Fall 2015) to renewable energy engineering graduate programs to:</p>

<p>USC
Stanford
U of Michigan
UI Urbana Champaign
Imperil College London
and many other top Eng schools in the US.</p>

<p>So my question is, do I stand a chance?
Will they look into my gpa from both USC and community college?
Does my medical excuse compensate for a low GPA? will they even consider it if I mention how I struggled both mentally and physically in my personal statement?</p>

<p>Lets assume I get a great GRE score, would that help?</p>

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<p>In advance, Thank you!</p>

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<p>No one can ‘chance’ for grad school. But you need to look at the minimum requirement on the web pages. A great GRE is just going to be expected as a matter of course. They will look more closely at classes in your major and/or your last 60 units. I don’t think the medical issue is going to be an excuse if you had over 2 years of work after and didn’t improve. I don’t think you understand how difficult top grad schools are to get into. You don’t even say MS or PhD. Some work experience will strengthen your application for MS. Try the grad forum, this one is for high school students. Dont ask for chances, just feedback.</p>

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<p>Not likely. My kid’s best friend graduated from USC with less than 3.0 GPA, she was not even accepted at USC for grad school, MS degree. Usually university is more likely to accept its undergraduate.</p>