<p>So I'm currently a sophomore at Cornell. I am/was a premed. Still like the idea of going to med school, but I just don't think a 3.4+ GPA is going to happen, and I like research a lot, so the idea of going to grad school for my PhD is becoming more and more appealing by the week. Also, I have an incredibly strong research background already, and it's going to continue to improve even more over the next couple years. I've done ~13 months total research at UT Southwestern in Dallas, authored on a poster presentation presented at 2 very large international conventions, as well as a paper going into a very well respected journal here shortly. I was a middle author on both of them (like 4th author out of around 9 approximately on both). I am also about to start work here full time on a research fellowship I got from the NSF, which will lead to an honors thesis by the time I graduate, and likely a couple papers as well. I will likely have a meh GPA, probably around a 3.0 +/- .1 by the time I graduate as I'm just not the type of student who makes A's here. So bottom line is I have great EC's and will have an incredible research background with phenomenal rec's, but a mediocre GPA. I'm also quite good at interviewing if that counts for anything.</p>
<p>My question is, just how much will my research background affect my chances at getting into a good grad school biology program with my less than stellar GPA? I know that grad schools are much more forgiving of GPA's than med schools are, and use your rec letters and research experience as much stronger indicators, but I'm trying to formulate my plan of attack for the next few semesters as to what I need to do to get into grad school, and would like some advice.</p>
<p>I'm really looking to go to either McGill or UT Southwestern if that makes any differences. </p>
<p>Thanks for the tips in advance, all my research in the past few years have been on med school admissions, and the winds are changin it seems.</p>
<p>Keep your GPA above a 3.0. Repeat that in your head, just because it could really make a big difference. Your research is very nice, and it will certainly help you a great deal. I can’t speak about those two schools specifically, but >3.0 GPA, good GREs, great recommendations, and your research certainly will make you competitive for good biology programs. I know several people who had GPAs around yours and spent 2-3 years a techs to help their applications. They are now at very good schools, so I think you will be able to accomplish what you want despite your GPA. You might have to spend a little more time, but it is attainable. </p>
<p>I realize this does not directly answer your question, but I just wanted to get across that even if it doesn’t work now, you can fix it by working for a few years. Just remember that a 2.9 is generally viewed quite differently than a 3.0, even if it is .1 off.</p>
<p>–I just noticed that you are only a Sophomore. Your research is even more impressive now. Keep that up! Also, there is no reason you can’t maintain a GPA over 3.0. You have a ton of classes to take still.</p>
<p>You need good grades in fields related to your field of study. Average grades in math/science that doom your medical school chances will also doom your chances in a science grad field. Look at where your most interest and best grades are. That is the field you should aim for grad work in. Medical schools look at your overall gpa while grad school departments look at the gpa in their field. You will be doing intense work in one area at the grad school level. You need the proof of the prerequisite knowledge base to be able to succeed at the graduate level. Mostly A’s in your upper level courses in your major would prepare you to do the work in that area in grad school. If you usually get B’s in your major you are not grad level material in that field. Concentrate on getting the best grades in your major at the expense of the best grades in other fields for grad school admissions.</p>
<p>I once debated between medical school and grad school. The choice became what I wanted to be doing. I did the senior honors thesis research bit and decided on medical school instead of chemistry or other science grad school. Decades later a college friend who went the PhD route stated she sometimes wished she had done the medical school route instead just as I was wondering if I should have done the converse. The point- the two are different paths but both require equal amounts of ability (in different ways) and work.</p>
<p>Do not consider graduate school to be a default for not being competitive for medical school. You need equally strong credentials although in different areas for both doctorates.</p>
<p>The research you have done may be impressive for undergraduates- but is it of graduate school interest? In other words- was your research among grad students and publishable in that arena? Think back at what was impressive for HS and how it rates at the college level- eg AP courses versus real college courses taken from a highly rated college while in HS. You are at Cornell where presumably the entry level courses are tougher than AP courses. Likewise research opportunities for undergrads may be aimed at that level or students may be involved in grad level research as undergrads.</p>
<p>Research your options in biology related fields. You may discover an interest in another medical field as well. Try to take interest/aptitude tests/surveys through your school’s counseling center. Those will show you fields appropriate to your academic and interest levels. Sometimes students are unaware of the possibilites- college is the place to discover them. Do not get hung up on the need for being Dr. X in any field- choose the most satisfying career.</p>
<p>Addenda. As post #2 points out- you are only a college sophomore. Your gpa may reflect a lot of necessary courses not in your major. Math, chemistry and physics grades may doom your medical school chances due to higher grades in them for your competition but you have a lot of upper level biology courses to shine in. It is easier to get better grades in subjects you like and the majority of your final years will be in those in your major. Get involved in your major- get to know professors and use them as mentors. Through them you will discover which biological field to aim for and which schools to consider.</p>