<p>I am currently in my 3rd year undergrad as a chemical engineer. My whole life i've wanted to make it to a top graduate school in engineering. Both my overall and major GPA are 3.8, and i will have 3 years of research experience by graduation. I have also already taken the GREs and have gotten 165/158 Q/V and a 4.5 on writing. How much will a C in my separations processes class hurt my chances at graduate school? I'm completely terrified, this was totally unexpected and came out of nowhere, and there is ZERO chance i will ever allow myself to get another C, but does this single C take me out of the running for a top program?</p>
<p>I had a similar problem and freaked out. Everyone was pretty encouraging.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/graduate-school/1426070-grad-school-acceptance-rescinded.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/graduate-school/1426070-grad-school-acceptance-rescinded.html</a></p>
<p>A single C won’t matter a bit. Really, admissions decisions aren’t made based on .05 differences in a GPA.</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>Add to it my question. I have a good GPA overall but in one subject I had a D(lowest passing grade). And though that subject was not my major in the undergrad degree but ironically it is my intended major in one or two univ applications. I thought that if some schools like aero say that they accept applications from other engineering backgrounds like Electrical,electronics then why would they have a problem with a single bad grade.</p>
<p>rng222: I wouldn’t worry. ONE C is not a big deal. To have a 3.8gpa as an engineering major is very impressive. I don’t think it will hurt your application, especially because when I applied, all of my applications gave me a space to explain any grades. However, I do hope you are not only applying to the top schools. If you get in, great, go there. However, sometimes things don’t work out as planned, for example, in my program, I’m the only one fresh from undergrad. (Apparently they are looking for “life experience.”) So apply to some of the non-top schools too, just in case. (I would tell you to do that even if you had a 4.0–it’s always good to see what else is out there and also look at the schools and programs holistically. After you get your acceptances, look at the projects you would get to work on, the people you’d be working with, and the funding package you are offered before deciding for sure).</p>
<p>sab342: At my school a D is not considered passing, so I think your biggest issue would be if this is the case at one of the schools you apply to, they likely won’t consider you if the D is in your intended major field. I’d retake the class if possible unless you have research experience or something tangible that clearly demonstrates you have mastered the subject, and even then…just be on the safe side. A bad grade in the field you intend to enter can be a bad sign, but not necessarily. Just do your best on your apps and see what happens.</p>