<p>I started my first year a college off with a bang (and not in a good way). Since then I have retaken the classes that I did awful in and made A's in each one (Except Biology :/). </p>
<p>With none of the classes that I did bad in my first year being part of my major classes, will this effect my chances of getting into grad school? I know top 10-20 are way out of the question, but none of those are good for my area anyway. </p>
<p>My GPA is now a 3.23, but by the time I graduate, it will be up to a 3.5-3.6. Am I doomed? Should I give up and get a job and try again later?</p>
<p>It isn’t hopeless - I got kicked out of my undergrad program for low GPA, but was able to turn things around and am now at a top-5 program in my field. That having been said, you’re in a tough spot - concentrate on improving your position, and see where you are in a couple of years. Even if you are unsuccessful in getting into grad school, your efforts will pay off in much improved job prospects.</p>
<p>EDIT: I think you are farther along than I thought - upperclassman? If you can have a strong ending, you may be able to convince them that the first couple of years were anamolous. Anyway, the best you can do is keeping making a go of it. When it is time, apply to both jobs and grad programs, and you’ll be able then to make the decision.</p>
<p>Thank you for your reply. Honestly, I am not planning on applying to top programs. I am a junior. I am going to apply to the University of Alabama. They have a professor there that I would love to work with. They are not even ranked in the top 100 history programs.</p>
<p>In the last two semesters, I have gotten all As (4.0). I am currently taking a class and am looking at making an A also. </p>
<p>If I continue on this path, will that show an impressive change from my start? Will that help my chances of getting in?</p>
<p>If you continue along your current path you should do fine. Remember that grad programs are admitting people, not applications, and they care about who those people are. If you have a good story for a weak application, you can still make it work - what are your weak spots, and why are they there? Had a bad first year - say that honestly, and make sure that you yourself understand how that affected you and what you did to correct it, then make sure you spend a line or two in application essays making that point. The thing you have to look out for is the recurrence issue - they will often forgive past mistakes, provided they have reason to think they won’t recur.</p>
<p>What is the top-5 program in your field? and what field?</p>
<p>Top five in my field (History) are Princeton, UC-Berkley, Stanford, Yale, Harvard.</p>
<p>I am absolutely not going to shy away from my mistakes. I take FULL responsibility in my failure and triumphs. I find more people respect that than someone who will try to find an excuse to for their actions. I am not that type of person. </p>
<p>Also, can you guys help me out with how to learn about research projects at my school? Who to ask? What to ask? How to ask? Haha!</p>
<p>Thank you guys so much. Any advice you can give me PERIOD is a HUGE help!!</p>