<p>I'm a junior at Portland State in the communications program. I've got a 3.1 gpa with 2 f's to retake. I had a little hiccup when I first attended PSU back in '07 right out of high-school. College wasn't for me at the time. But I've figured it out, and apparently college is right for me right now. I originally had 3 f's, now I just have two to retake. Assuming I continue this upward trend for the next year and a half and graduate with a GPA of around 3.3 what is the best possible grad school (based on superficial things such as reputation) I could gain admission to. Journalism or Communications as I am a freelance journalist for a small local paper, as well as a writer for the school paper. I also work a .8FTE job doing supply and office work for a large state teaching university. I would also prefer to not study in Oregon.</p>
<p>I suppose you could attribute my less than stellar gpa to my always having to have a full-time job in order to keep a roof over the head of my wife and I. Would mentioning that I am married help or hinder me?</p>
<p>Assume I will get a slightly above average score on the GRE.</p>
<p>3.3 is really low for grad school, they typically want 3.5 (even the not-super-selective ones).
You could try and devote one more semester (holding graduation off by not taking a requirement until the last semester), if you can afford it, and use the extra semestre to beef up your GPA.
Are you interested in a Master’s or PHD program?
In addition, at 3.3, you’re unlikely to get funded, so, what’s your budget?</p>
<p>Grad schools are getting very competitive. Your GPA is too low. And a “slightly above average” GRE score isn’t going to be appealing.</p>
<p>What do you want with a grad degree? What is your career goal? </p>
<p>How much are you going to borrow for grad school? </p>
<p>You may not be able to work full time while in grad school. Are you going to relocate for grad school? What about your wife? Does she work or go to school? can she easily relocate? </p>
<p>If you insist on grad school, then you’re going to have to look at rather low level schools.</p>
<p>When my son was applying to grad schools a few years ago, even his so-called safeties were only accepting about 10-15% of applicants…and these weren’t at big name schools. The big name/better named schools were only accepting 5% or 7% of applicants.</p>