Will a high "later" GPA REALLY offset a low overall one?

Graduate School
1

<p>So my overall GPA (entire undergrad) is in the low 3 range because of a few bad semesters, but my "later" GPA (last two years) is in the high 3 range because I recovered from the bad semesters and did much better (not to mention having a good GPA in early semesters). Basically a chart of my GPA throughout undergrad would be a parabola (that makes it easier to understand). Obviously there is a cause for this and I have conveyed it in my essay (as well as pointed out the higher final two-year GPA since it would not be indicated on my transcript), but I wonder if it will even matter? And therefore I ask:</p>

<p>1.) Will the person reading my essay see my overall GPA first and then just skim the essay and possibly miss the part where I explain why it is low and how at the end it became high again?</p>

<p>2.) Even if they do read it carefully, how much will they be convinced that it's as good as somebody who had a high GPA all the way through?</p>

<p>Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Meet the departmental cutoff and professors/adcomms are likely to read your application. At this point, they will scrutinize transcripts more heavily to see how people did in relevant coursework, if they were padding their senior classes with easy 'A’s, etc.</p>

<p>I think it matters. My first year I had a 2.7 but over a 3.9 the latter 3 and still got into a top program in my field of study, even though my GPA was well below the average of admitted students years past.</p>

3

<p>Yes it will, for example, Berkeley is ranked #1 for sociology and they only calculate the last 2 years ( or major related courses) </p>

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<p>[Department</a> of Sociology, University of California, Berkeley](<a href=“Home | UC Berkeley Sociology Department”>Home | UC Berkeley Sociology Department)</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the responses, guys. I appreciate it very much. And congratulations, Oyama, on your acceptance.</p>

<p>I’ll admit that I believe it’s possible, but it could still be an uphill battle. The problem is that it’s easy for somebody to find problems with my transcript if they are really on the hunt for them. I’m just concerned that somebody would not be willing to give me the benefit of the doubt depending on their personality. I’m still more optimistic than I was before, but not completely. Thanks again!</p>

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<p>statement of purpose on the state of the east coast tekken scene, imo</p>

6

<p>counterhit121: LOL are what are you trying to say about the SoP? I’m confused.</p>

<p>And while I do currently live on the East Coast, the “ec” does NOT stand for it. In fact I don’t even play Tekken anymore, it’s just an old name I use.</p>

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<p>nothing, just playful ■■■■■■■■ from a fellow tekken player. to where and for what are you applying?</p>

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<p>Again, I can only offer anecdata, but this was the case for me. Overall GPA of 3.08, but a 3.81 in my last semester and I have been accepted everywhere I applied, including four top-40 public universities.</p>

9

<p>Thanks for the response, polarscribe. I appreciat it!</p>

<p>counterhit121, I haven’t finalized my plans yet since I’m still wondering if it’s worth all of the costs.</p>