<p>I eventually want to get into behavioral neuroscience. I just graduated with a 3.147 GPA. I took the GRE and got 630 verbal and 630 quant. I have participated in two NSF-funded summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates, and have completed 2 semesters of directed study in behavioral neuroscience. Would I be wasting my time applying to grad school for the fall?</p>
<p>OK, yes, your GPA is low. But I don’t think it’s so low that you’d be automatically out of the running. You have research, which is good. GRE is solid. I assume you can get great rec letters from profs you did the research with. Also, you’ll need to hit a home run with your personal statement. Explain why you want to go to grad school. Explain your research interests. Honestly, you probably may not be competitive enough to get into the most exclusive programs. If I were you, I’d try to identify programs just below the top tier. These places often have enough funding, infrastructure, and active labs to be a good home for students. Despite what some on these boards imply, you don’t have to be at a top 10 school for grad school to be worthwhile.</p>
<p>Also, note that master’s programs may be easier to get into; but they are also less likely to give funding.</p>
<p>Ok, thanks. Should I explain my low GPA in my statement of purpose (mostly due to my earlier classes, I was unprepared for the rigor of a college workload) or just focus on why I want to go to grad school, etc?</p>
<p>Most of the time, they just use the 3.00 GPA as a cutoff. Once you meet the cutoff, your research is more important.</p>
<p>I would not bother addressing the GPA, it’s lower than ideal, that is obvious. If it is especially low in early years, they will see that. If you tell the story, whatever it is, they have likely heard it before and you risk sounding like you are making excuses.</p>
<p>Instead focus on the ways you have prepared for grad school and are a good risk.</p>
<p>Your quant score is also a little low for a neuroscience program. Also, a 3.0 is usually the cut off for master’s programs, but for PhD programs it’s usually a little bit higher.</p>
<p>That said, GPA is only one piece of the pie. If you have an otherwise strong application, I don’t think it would at all be a waste of time to apply. I think you have very good chances of getting into some funded MS programs in neuroscience. Your chances at a PhD may be lower, but that’s a relative term - you have an impressive record other than your GPA, and if your last 60 credits and/or your major GPA are far higher then your cumulative GPA may not matter as much. Neuroscience professors don’t care what you got in freshman art history.</p>
<p>I would not discuss your GPA in your statement. Number one, you don’t want to bring more attention to it. Number two, your reasoning is not compelling. There are many other freshman who enter college at 18 and do well right off the bat; everyone faces the same adjustment of higher-level coursework when they first hit the ground. Think of your statement as an academic cover letter. Focus on your positive qualities and the reasons why you are a perfect fit for this program.</p>
<p>I’m thinking your GRE-Q score is more of a detriment to you than your GPA for neuroscience.</p>