Low GPA and getting into grad school

<p>I'm a senior now, my major is biochemistry. My GPA is 3.1 and I was wondering if I have a chance of getting into grad school for next fall. </p>

<p>I want to apply for applied math. I've taken several math classes: Calc 1-3, diff eq, linear algebra, number theory, and modern geometry. I've loved them and gotten A's in all of them except for one class where I got a B+. </p>

<p>The reason I have a low GPA is because I haven't done well in my major classes. I'm not interested in biochem and I'm not good at it...obviously. I clearly picked the wrong major. </p>

<p>I did an internship last summer for a pharmaceutical company but that's all the work experience that I have. </p>

<p>I haven't taken the GRE yet but plan on taking it soon. </p>

<p>Be honest, what are my chances?</p>

<p>You can get into grad school with a 3.1 provided that the rest of your application shows off your strengths. The problem with alot of people on CC is that they think that if they don't have a 3.99 GPA and can't get into whatever designer grad program it is they have their sights on, their life is over. Masters degrees are great assets but they are not absolutely crucial to professional success, especially when applying for entry level work, and masters from the most elite schools are often--dare I even say it?--a gigantic rip off.</p>

<p>Thanks for replying </p>

<p>I know you don't have to have a 4.0 to get into grad school (but it wouldn't hurt either). My concern was that because my GPA is on the low side, my chances of getting in would be next to none. </p>

<p>I read that the average GPA is around a 3.5, even though the minimum is a 3.0 so i was doubtful of my chances. I don't want to waste hundreds of dollars on application fees if i didn't have a chance.</p>

<p>3.1 isn't terrible in the sciences. It's not great, but it just means that the rest of your app needs to be good. It's not so low that you will be dismissed out of hand.</p>

<p>A 3.1 GPA isn't fatal. Your GRE scores can help a lot. </p>

<p>And a minimum 3.0 GPA often means that's the minimum in the field to which you are applying. Grad school applications often have two boxes for GPA -- overall and major. I would note on there somewhere what your math GPA is even though it's not your major, because that's relevant information.</p>