<p>Hi, here are my stats:</p>
<p>UCLA double major Business Economics + Astrophysics.
GPA 3.5 overall.
GPA 3.5-3.6 in Astrophysics.
GPA 3.0 in Economics.
Balances to a 3.5 b/c I took way more physics classes than econ and got really good GE grades that didn't count for either major :p
I got a couple C's in Economics but no C's in Physics.<br>
Published paper in Astrophysical Journal (first author) and presented a poster at American Astrophysical Association meeting. Gave a talk at UCLA journal club. Will be in the "et al." part of a couple papers.
Did astrophysics research for a year and a half.
Will get perfect or near perfect GRE score unless I die from studying first.
Interned for two years at a quantitative investment management firm.
Misc. stuff such as club leadership, less relevant internships/jobs, creative stuff, what have you</p>
<p>My situation is kind of complicated to please suspend your impatience:</p>
<p>I'm applying to Masters in Engineering (Mechanical and/or Robotics), Masters in Financial Engineering, PhD/Masters in Physics programs at all the Ivy League or equivalent schools.</p>
<p>The reason for so many is because I ultimately want to be a quant trader, but you can go to a variety of grad schools to achieve this. </p>
<p>The easiest way to get a quant trading job is to get a Masters in Financial Engineering. HOWEVER, I'm afraid my low Econ GPA will screw my chances. </p>
<p>My relatively low Astrophysics GPA is still kind of screwing my chances even at a Physics PhD. D: Anyone get into a great physics program with a 3.5-3.6?</p>
<p>However, my counselor told me I have an excellent chance of getting into a top school for mechanical engineering. </p>
<p>I'm down with any of these great programs! Unlike most people my age applying to grad school I haven't narrowed down exactly what I prefer to study as long as I get to be a quant trader in the end. I love physics and I love robots, so I'd be happy getting into a great school for either physics OR mechanical engineering/robotics. If I got into an MFE I'd be so happy because then I'd have an easier time finding a job after. But like I said I don't know if I'm going to get into an MFE b/c of low econ GPA.</p>
<p>ALSO: I have the opportunity to raise my Econ GPA to maybe a 3.5-ish if I take summer school classes, but that might cause me to study less for the GRE and not do as well. Do you think this will make any difference in the eyes of MFE admissions? I know it won't in the eyes of physics/engineering admissions.</p>
<p>ALSO: I did the Bus Econ degree in two years because I wanted to graduate two years early. Then I changed my mind and decided to do another degree. I did the Astrophysics degree in two years and a quarter (so I'll finish this December after spending a total of 4.25 years at UCLA). So, I've been rushing and cramming in 4+ classes every quarter pretty much my whole time at UCLA. I'll explain this in my applications. Do you think this will improve my chances?</p>
<p>ALSO: When I was a freshman I did poorly (i.e. D, F) in a couple classes but retook them and got and A and a B. I've gotten 6 grades below a B- in my academic life. In my junior/senior years I've gotten nothing but A's and B's except the first quarter of my junior year I got one C.</p>
<p>ALSO: Are there any schools that are relatively easy to get into given my GPA, but are excellent schools? I've dreamed since high school of getting an Ivy League quality of education but I don't think it's gonna happen b/c of this stupid 3.5 T___T What should I do for my fallback options? </p>
<p>Thanks for reading this load of bunk.
Please give me advice or help evaluate my chances. I'll love you forever if you do! <3</p>