<p>I really don't know what to do at this point. I'm a Junior in college majoring in chemistry and I only have spring semester before I start mailing in applications for graduate school. (I don't think graduate schools see your senior grades, do they?) Here's my problem. I currently have a 2.6 GPA. It's pathetic. I just don't know what to do. I've been struggling since freshman year. I don't know if it's the classes I'm taking, or if I'm just dumb. I've had tough semesters where I had to take calculus, biology and chemistry all at once. There was another where I took organic chemistry, physics, and calc II. I've tried consoling myself by finding websites that say chem majors average a 2.7 by graduation. But grad schools don't care about what kind of workload you had or what websites say; they just want to see results. </p>
<p>It's not like I'm not bright. I think I really have something to offer. I have theories scribbled in notebooks, research ideas that I entertain on my own time for my enjoyment, total syntheses that I practice for fun, major role models I aspire to be like. I know I can offer something to chemistry, but how can I even let myself hope any of this stuff with a GPA that's ruining my life? What do I do to reassure myself? Where can I go?</p>
<p>As for grad school, which schools should I look at? I'm not picky at all. I'd be glad to go to any decent school. What are some schools you think (if any) would accept me if I applied with a 2.7 (assuming I bumped it up) by the end of spring semester?</p>
<p>Grad schools care much more about professor recommendations and research experience than GPA. If you can convince a professor to take you in as his grad student, you’re probably in. Start now to look for research opportunities. </p>
<p>My brother had a lower GPA, but plenty of professors wanted him to do research with them.</p>
<p>What field do you intend to specialize in? I think it’s a good idea in order to look for professors that could be willing to take you as a grad student.</p>
<p>Thanks guys for your answers. How about the possibility that it might be hard to even get research position due to my grades? I could try to find a position, but then I’ll encounter a requirement that says something along the lines of “must have 3.0 GPA minimum” or something. As for specializing, I really want to specialize in methodology development in organic chemical syntheses. Stuff like catalysts, reagent modifications, novel synthetic pathways…you know, just plain ol’ making stuff. </p>
<p>I’ve followed many of your advices already. I applied to a summer position and I’ve asked around my professors in my department for a research position. It’s still too early to hear from any of them yet, but I’m just scared of being rejected at everything I try. There are some really smart kids in my department and those are the types I know I’m competing with. :(</p>