<p>I apologize in advance for the loaded post.
As the title suggest, I would like to find myself in a research position in Astrophysics as my career choice. Unfortunately, I suck at school.
I've suffered from clinical depression through most of my teenage years, starting in highschool, which I finished with a 3.4 unweighted GPA, 2020 SAT, and a 4 average across 7 AP scores, but worsened when I entered community college. I finished my first year (in classes that were repeats of the APs I took in HS) with a 3.1 GPA (major GPA is lower, 2.8 or so). After that, over the course of the next year, I started professional treatment for depression, dropped out for two terms, got a job working 40 hours a week, took up the violin, and started exercising daily, all to help my mental health. I don't think it worked; I took one class in Astronomy in Spring 2014 and finished with a B, then Linear Algebra and Music Composition (For my humanities credit) in the summer, and finished with a C and a B, respectively.
I am now entering the Fall semester with Vector Calculus and the English 101C Critical Thinking/Comp. While I am concerned about my performance in these two courses, I'm also worried that I won't be able to snag a spot in a required physics course this semester, and have to take two simultaneously next semester, as well differential equations, which is a course load beyond my capabilities. </p>
<p>I am honestly not sure what to do. My insurance fell out last spring, so I am no longer on treatment. I will be applying to transfer to UCs and local state schools in a few months, possibly with missing prerequisites, and definitely with a subpar GPA in the 2.8-3.2 range. However, I am absolutely sure Astrophysics is what I want to do; I was president of the Astrophysics club last year and the experience, which included teaching to a group of 60-100 people, cemented my career choice. I would love and greatly appreciate any and all advice on what I can do to make the most of my academic career, like how to salvage my undergrad performance, which schools to try to transfer to, etc.</p>
<p>Thank you</p>
<p>While I appreciate your commitment and passion for your career choice, academically speaking I don’t think it’s a fit. With a 2.8 - 3.2 and a STEM major, I think all the UCs are out of reach. UCs are a stretch even in a non STEMajor. I’m not even sure about your chances with a CSU with that major.</p>
<p>I think you need to reevaluate your choice of a major and a career.</p>
<p>I don’t want to shoot down anyones dreams…but with a major GPA of 2.8 and a cumulative GPA of 3.2, it’s going to be incredibly difficult to pull your GPA up enough to be competitive for grad school admissions in astrophysics. The astrophysics field is pretty flooded with students right now, which means that schools can be pretty picky. </p>
<p>You’re concerned about taking two physics classes and a math class at the same time. That’s basically a standard course load for an upper level physics undergrad. As you progress, the classes are going to keep getting harder. If you really crack down and try to bring your GPA up, it could still be possible. It’s about much more than that though. To get into a good grad school, you need to have research experience and internships. Admission into these positions is generally very competitive. With a 2.8 GPA in your major, there are a lot of internships that you wouldn’t even be qualified to apply to. Most require a minimum 3.0 within your major, and that’s just to apply. Don’t give up, but I suggest having a backup plan.</p>
<p>Thanks for your honest reply. </p>
<p>I understand what you mean; physics as a field, especially the level I want to reach, demands a lot from the minds from the people in it, and I may not have the capacity to meet those demands. Unfortunately, my heart is set on astrophysics, and I have the idea in my head that, were I to solve my personal problems, I could definitely produce results that mean something. I’m convinced that picking a new major/career now, one that I wanted less, would worsen my motivation and, consequently, my grades.</p>
<p>Realistically though, am I out of options for a physics career?</p>
<p>Your grades just aren’t good enough to continue forward in that field. You have Cs & Bs which sometimes hurt you more than Ds &Fs. You can’t retake courses you’ve passed, so you are forever stuck with those grades. Even if you’re able to ace a bunch if easy electives to bring your cumulative GPA up a bit, your major GPA is way too low. If you’re not mastering the concepts in the beginning coursework, you’ll never make it past the more advanced coursework. </p>
<p>I get what you’re saying about not wanting to lose motivation, but it can’t feel good to be spinning your wheels in an area that you’re passionate about. You’re so adamant about your passion for this major and career, but at this point it sounds more like stubbornness. Sometimes in life we have to stop what we’re doing, reevaluate our situation, and make necessary adjustments. </p>
<p>I met with a counselor today, who recalculated my GPA for me; my best-case scenario, if I somehow get straight A’s in the classes I am taking this and the next semester, I can end with a 3.4 cumulative GPA and a 3.3 major GPA. </p>
<p>You’re right though, Candles. I’m tired of grasping at straws. Is a career in science communication more realistic and doable?</p>
<p>You liked teaching. What about an education degree and teaching certificate with a specialty in physics? Many high schools seem to have trouble finding certified science teachers.</p>
<p>I liked teaching to the general public, moreso than just to students. What was fulfilling was answering questions from such a wide age group, from children to the elderly. Maybe working in a planetarium? </p>
<p>I think you have a great chance at UC Berkeley and UCLA.</p>
<p>The average gpa for UCLA transfers as Physics majors last year was 3.7. Berkeley is likely higher. </p>
<p>Still puts him in the running. I’d say 80% chance of admission if good essays.</p>
<p>80% chance of admissions to Berkeley? I have to strongly disagree. Berkeley’s mathematical and physical science departments only accept roughly 28% of transfer students to begin with. </p>
<p>Average transfer GPA for Berkeley overall last year was 3.77.</p>
<p>It doesn’t exclude him…but it’s not an 80% chance when he’s competing with a ton of 3.9-4.0 students who have excelled in their major, completed internships etc. </p>
<p>Are you in any way qualified to reasonably quantify your claim that he has an 80% chance of acceptance?</p>