<p>I have a low undergrad GPA of ~3.2 and I'm concerned because some of the classes I struggled in pertained directly to my major (Biotechnology).
However, I also have pulled A's in numerous higher level biology classes and other classes pertaining to my major.
I have undergraduate research experience of ~year and am now working at the lab which I did undergraduate work at. (being that I have just earned my B.S. in Biology/biotech)
If I do well on my GRE's, is my low GPA/transcript still likely to totally kill my grad school chances? Am I most likely going to need to do post-bacc work/ non-matriculated grad courses to get into master programs for molecular biology/molecular genetics type programs? What are some of the best school options which may be slightly more lenient?</p>
<p>First of all, a 3.2 is not that low. It’s lower than you want, but it’s not keep-you-out low - especially not out of master’s programs.</p>
<p>Second of all, there are other factors in play - even if some of the classes you struggled in are in major, do you have a much higher major GPA? Is there a strong upward trend in your last 60 credits? These things mitigate a lower cGPA, especially if most of the classes you struggled in are freshman year.</p>
<p>Your GPA is fine for master’s programs, I would say. And yes, you want to do well on your GRE to bolster your options.</p>
<p>A lot of schools seem to use GPA and GRE as cut-offs - you have to get above a certain level to make it past the initial stage of thousands of applications, but past that it becomes much less important relative to things like research experience and statement of purpose. You should probably be prepared to explain the inconsistency in your grades, though, and might consider addressing it in the SoP depending on the situation.
What it all boils down to is research potential. You have to convince the school that you have the potential to succeed in research at their institution, and there are more ways to do that than just grades.</p>