What kind of GPA do I need?

<p>(Sorry for the bad grammar) I'm a freshman right now at Texas Tech. I've never been an A student, but recently I've attained ambition to get good grades and to find my potential. I think I'm going to finish anywhere between a 3.2 to a 3.5 GPA. I know my classes are going to get harder, what kind of GPA do I need to get into a decent grad school. I'm also thinking about transferring to a better undergraduate school.</p>

<p>(I know my grammar is bad, I'm taking time in the writing lab and planning on taking a grammar class in the summer.)</p>

<p>What do Graduate schools look at other than your GPA? Do they look at where you attained your bachelors degree?</p>

<p>Thank You for your feedback</p>

<p>What you can do to make up for your low GPA is research.</p>

<p>Irrelevant, but you sound like a humble person. I like that =)</p>

<p>From what my feeble mind can grasp, graduate schools admissions are highly dependent on the field you're entering. As you can expect, MBA and the like are very competitive degrees, requiring high GPAs ("high" is beyond the scope of this post), while humanities, etc. tend to be more lenient. Like Gil mentioned, any research/EC directly relating to your field of study can help boost your prospects of graduate school admissions given a lower-end GPA.</p>

<p>Maybe it's cause my brain's fried and it's late, but your grammar didn't seem as bad as you make it out to be.</p>

<p>What is your major and what type of degree do you plan on getting? That would help us out a lot.</p>

<p>Hey everybody, thanks for the feedback. Spoiledgrl, I'm not sure what I want to major in, Possibly Poli sci, or business management. 2e41, what's a good GPA for a respectable business grad school? </p>

<p>Gil and 2e4L, when you mean research you're talking about using your bachelors degree, right? (lol @ me)</p>

<p>Excuse me for using your post, pds004
I have a same question.
I think I would finish my education at Georgia Tech with 3.2~3.3 GPA.
I had terrible years in the first year and fall semester in the second year.
Currently, I major in management.
I have one internship finished and one more to go.
I haven't taken GMAT,
but my practice scores were pretty good, quan. 750 and verb. 600.
After graduation, I'd probably go to Mongolia for the mission trip for one year.
I know a missionary who is a dean of one of Mongolian university. I'd probably help him.
Also, I am going to have more work experience before applying to graduate schools.</p>

<p>I will apply to either business school or graduate school (International Relations).
And, I have a good relationship with my finance professor.</p>

<p>I forgot to tell you guys that I want to work in the field related to international politics (security and diplomacy). The reason that I want to go to business school is that I want to learn more about management.
Also, can you recommend schools? </p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>The two of you: </p>

<p>Finish your first two years and when you're about half-way through your third year, come back to us with a plan of study and which degrees you'd like to go for. Make the most of your first years, don't stress, and just find courses that you really enjoy. Besides, you may decide that graduate school won't be for you for a while. Also, MBA programs are extremely competitive these days so work experience will count for more. And there is another form only for busienss grad schools.</p>

<p>Actually, I'm a junior this year.
Also, my first choice is not business school.
I want to study international relations the most.
I know that I have a one more year, but from what I have statistically right now, I want to know a chance of me getting into top international relations program.
Like I said above,
3.2~3.3 GPA
Two internships (one done, one signed up for next semester)
GMAT (haven't taken yet, but 750 quant. 600 verbal)
Mission Trip (probably be a TA)
Willingness to have more work experience</p>

<p>Haha choeandrew is totally trying to hijack this post.</p>

<p>I know right? This is my first thread on the forum and It's getting hijacked. Choe, you would of gotten more responses if you had started your own thread. There was a quite a few views on the thread before you asked your questions.</p>

<p>I know someone with barely passable GPA and horrible standardized test scores, yet made it to top graduate school. How? She participated in a lot of research activities and also in the student clubs in the major and just had a really good time. It was totally obvious that she really loved the major and she really loved interacting with her peers. On top of that she is so so so nice. I don't know what the recommendation letters were like, but I'm pretty sure that all of the profs testified her invisible attributes on her behalf. If your heart and your enthusiasm is there, then you will be rewarded :) You just have to try your best.</p>

<p>Thanks for that Swiss, If I have a hard trouble getting good grades I'll know that there's a lot of other things to consider other than a GPA and your test scores.</p>

<p>Although, I did not get my graduate degree in Business, I will say that in most cases, experience is key. </p>

<p>While you are in school, just focus on classes and doing well. Also, I would get involved in some organizations and become an active member. But do not let it interfere with your studies. Also, I would suggest working after college. You can apply to a graduate school if you wish, but if you do not get in, do not count it a loss. Just work for a couple years and then reapply. Oh also if you do not get admitted, make sure you ask the department why...there is nothing wrong with that at all. </p>

<p>But at this stage in the game, I wouldn't get too worked up. Enjoy your undergraduate life...study hard and do the best you can...also, try to get involved in some activities on campus if you can. </p>

<p>Best Wishes! I am sure you are going to do GREAT!</p>

<p>Thank you for ur reply.
It is really helpful~</p>

<p>As far as I know, what you should focus on after undergrad (if your primary interest is business school) is getting a good job. Think about working as a business analyst for a Wall Street firm or something -- something that will give you a lot of responsibility and let you display your aptitude for business and management. Firms like McKinsey & Company and Deloitte & Touche have special 2-3 year business analyst positions designed especially for young'uns straight out of undergrad who are interested in work experience. The jobs there are competitive, but they could be your ticket to into graduate school. Look at M&C, D&T, Bain, Boston Group, Monitor Group, Accenture, and also places like Goldman Sachs, JPMorganChase, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley. (Would've said Lehman Brothers like three months ago...)</p>

<p>Even if you can't get into one of those top firms, look at business in your local large city or even in your hometown or college town. Business schools, from what I hear, admire movers and shakers who are quickly promoted and praised by their supervisors, and who take on big responsibility early on and have concrete projects to show for their work. I was curious one day and started reading the websites of business school admissions offices. They all said that while they do accept exceptional students out of undergrad from time to time, their most competitive applicants are the ones with a couple of years of work experience.</p>

<p>Choe, what makes you think that he replied back to you, and not me? Make your own thread, please. You now have me confused, who knows who they are actually talking to.</p>

<p>"Best Wishes! I am sure you are going to do GREAT"</p>

<p>See what you've done.</p>

<p>Thank you juillet, I was wondering, will military service look really favorable? A lot of what you have said is really helpful, but not all of it makes sense.</p>

<p>business analyst, what kind of major would be best for that?</p>

<p>Also, how hard is it to get into those top firms you listed?</p>

<p>BTW, you are very knowledgeable.</p>