<p>So, I've got 2 semesters of college left, majoring in Anthropology and Environmental Studies.</p>
<p>I think I will graduate with kind of a lame GPA, maybe around 3.0, from a top private college. I was sick on and off for awhile with mono, so that's part of it. My GPA in my primary major is higher, will be maybe 3.3-3.5. Additionally, I doubt I'll want a PhD. I'm thinking more working for a few years, then going back for a masters in Environmental Non-Profit Mgmt or Journalism or some such thing. (all very hypothetical at this point, of course...)</p>
<p>But, I would like to go to a top school, since grad school is expensive and the ranking of the school you go to determines your chances of getting a good job.</p>
<p>So anyway, I'm thinking I'd have maybe overall 3.0 GPA, a couple years work experience plus Peace Corp, high GRE scores (I did very well on the SAT and I heard the GREs are similar), and maybe some research experience/publications. I'm also a good essay writer.</p>
<p>Would that give me a chance?</p>
<p>Anyone know anything about the Yale School of Forestry, for instance (I know they say the average GPA for admitted masters candidates is 3.45)?</p>
<p>Does taking a few classes after you've earned a degree and getting As in them help? Because if I was going to an easier school I know I'd be getting As...</p>
<p>If you manage close to straight-As (i.e., a 3.7+) your last 2 years, you should stand a chance at middle-tier programs, as many view the last 2 yrs as the strongest indicators of future success. Otherwise, work experience may help you but with so many stronger applicants competing for your spot at a "top" program, you wouldn't stand much of a chance with a 3.0 unless you had some phenomenal credentials elsewhere in your application (i.e., years of research, multiple publications and national conference presentations, unbelievably good LORs that were able to "explain away" your low GPA, sky-high GRE scores, etc.)...otherwise, it's unlikely your application would make it past the graduate secretary's desk before a student worker was asked to shred your application packet (just after cashing your application fee)!</p>
<p>Why dont you stay on for an additional year and focus on strengthening your portfolio? You could even enroll part time and work while doing so. I would recommend speaking to your adviser about doing this. </p>
<p>I made the biggest mistake by choosing to graduate on time with a 2.58, and now I am putting myself through another Bachelor's degree just to prove to the ad comms that I am capable of doing the work. I am also working full time if that is any consolation. </p>
<p>My fingers are tightly crossed that my little strategy will yield some sort of positive result- i.e. admission to Georgetown or Northwestern's Communication programs! :)</p>
<p>Almost NO ONE at my school gets 3.7 GPA. I certainly couldn't pull that off. I go to a top liberal arts college, similar to Ivy League. Also did you see how I said that the average GPA for one of the programs i'm looking at is 3.45?</p>
<p>By the way, minor point but I actually think I'll be able to graduate with more like 3.1 GPA at least.</p>
<p>I am NOT staying in college, any longer, however. I've got 2 semester left, and as it is I'm going 1 semester extra.</p>
<p>Also, I said that before I apply I may have publications and I anticipate having high GRE scores (2 things you mention).</p>
<p>I apologize. I missed the criterion you listed for those programs. I [wrongly] assumed top programs in your field would be similar to what I am applying to. I apologize.I believe having publications and a high GRE will help you out a lot. Also, a high subject GRE may show your 3.1 does not indicate gaps in your knowledge of the subject area. From what I have heard a top UG is only marginally helpful in explaining a low GPA (that is, someone with a 3.1 at a top tier UG might be give .1 or .2 grace, but it is unlikely they would be selected over a 3.4-3.5 from a less-known UG, assuming experience and documented opportunities taken are held constant)</p>
<p>I don't know how low is too low in those fields. That is certainly the conventional wisdom, that yours is too low. Is there any point to the double major? I suppose the assistant professor at Carnegie Mellon is many times sorry that he published his paper on Computer Science grad school advice, but he did say that a 3.3 at a great school was looked at as if it was a 3.7 or 3.8 from an okay school. </p>
<p>I think my own dd is depending on this, and she has never cared about her grades much. It is also very hard to get a high gpa in her major at her school, unless you don't do anything else. </p>
<p>I think the best thing for you to do is to cultivate relationships with your professors and see what they think. They will have relations with other profs from grad schools and know who might want to work with you. I think a degree in Forestry at Yale is too obscure at this board yet.</p>
<p>Yale's school of Forestry & Environmental Studies seems to weigh less on GPA. However, a lower GPA does NOT mean that its an easier program to get into. The average work experience was 2-3 years, hence Yale seems to value relevant work experience.</p>
<p>One thing I noticed about energy and environmental programs is that they value relevant work/research.</p>
<p>Another thing I noticed about these programs is that the applicants are usually graduate students, trying to earn their second masters.</p>
<p>Some well known energy programs are: ERG from Berkeley or Tech. and Policy from MIT. I truly think that Yale's School of Forestry & Renewable Energy is just as competitive.</p>