Really need some reassurance

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>Hello, all.</p>

<p>I am currently a senior and a minority (black/hispanic) at top five LAC. During my first year (sciences), I had great marks (3.5). However, sophomore year, I had a plethora of things happen, including:</p>

<ul>
<li>parents divorcing</li>
<li>breaking my wrist on my writing hand two wks before finals (1st semester)</li>
<li>injuring my shoulder and knee on a skating accident (second semester)</li>
</ul>

<p>I also took primarily science courses this year as well. My grades for my sophomore year were Two Ws (incl. a lab), an NC, a C-, and an A.</p>

<p>Despite this, I've held high positions in organizations on campus and have received grants to do research over the past two summers. Within my major (Sociology), I also have a 4.0. Given that my GPA within my major is a 4.0, despite my low GPA (3.3), to what extent will this hinder me when I apply to grad schools? I want to pursue a career in education and be a professor. I know its quite competitive. I'm also at my current school on a full-ride (low income), if that would count for anything.</p>

<p>Also, here's something-- before I came to college, I took college courses at an accredited college. My school gave me credit towards them, but did not count the letter grades because of their policy. However, in applying to grad schools, can I factor these in, given that these were actual college courses from a university? Those courses would def. boost my GPA up.</p>

<p>Thanks for your help.</p>

2

<p>I’m guessing that, like when applying to uni, grad schools let you explain any low marks. Those sound like pretty valid reasons for ending up with those grades, which aren’t too terrible given what ya had happen to you.</p>

3

<p>For classes that you received credit in (as transfer credits from another university) you are required to submit the transcript from that university showing your actual grades to grad schools. So those grades will naturally factor in in admissions through an averaging system - the grad school you apply to will do this for you. </p>

<p>You just can’t artificially boost your GPA up by calculating the grades within your main university GPA- if they don’t calculate grades from transfer classes into your GPA, then you have to leave it as is (and in another part of your application, mark that you attended another university with a so-and-so gpa). </p>

<p>3.3 Cumulative is not that low…for maybe a top 10 grad school, it is definitely on the lower end, but they always allow you to explain grades. And if you have had an upward trend after your one lousy year (sophomore year) that will definitely be to your benefit. Good luck</p>