Searching for options and could use some advice

Graduate School
1

<p>I'm a senior at a pretty well known university. I've struggled with a lot of person problems over the past 4 years and my GPA has reflected that. I'm very motivated and want nothing more than to get a PhD. I love research and it's what I want to dedicate my life to. </p>

<p>Currently, I should finish this semester with >3.4 and I'm taking two graduate level courses. It's a marked improvement over the past years. I think I will have a 2.5 cumulative at the end of the semester. I would like to know what I need to do in order to achieve my my dream. I was planning on applying to the NIH IRTA post bacc program. I was going to be very proactive and email tons of PIs and hope that I could land a spot. I was hoping that added research experience and maybe a publication would help me when it came time to apply to PhD programs.</p>

<p>There is another option, I could apply to a mid level masters program near me and since the admission requirements aren't as high- I might get in. It's preferable to me because it's near my family and this is a turbulent time so it'd be better if I were close by. It's deadline is after most programs because it isn't as competitive. </p>

<p>If I were to get into both programs, which would be the best for me? Which would facilitate getting into a good PhD program? Are there other options that I don't know about? I would prefer to get into that masters program because of the location but I'll do whatever is best for my future.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance for all the advice and help!</p>

2

<p>I would go for the thesis-based masters, obtain a 4.00 in your graduate study while doing researching and serving as a GA. You should be okay then to apply to the Ph.D. program. Did you take the GRE? What is your major GPA?</p>

3

<p>I am not familiar with the NIH program, but a 2.5 GPA is a major stumbling block. You definitely need to start with a masters, and “mid-level” schools still probably will not take you - you may have to just take what you can. You might want to try your current school’s grad program - they may be more understanding of your situation, and you may get some professors to go to bat for you.</p>

<p>If you do not get into a masters program, I would look for a professional position and take some grad-level classes as a non-degree student. After a year or so of good grades you may get accepted to degree-status.</p>

4

<p>Some of those NIH post-baccalaureate programs are almost as competitive as getting into doctoral programs. I don’t know what field you were in, but in my field (psychology) the NIH post-bacc program would be a lot better than a mid-level master’s program.</p>