Doomed by GPA?

[hippopotassium]

Howdy everyone

Comments

[karrie_o]

I think a high GRE score will offset your low GPA. Furthermore, you still have at least a year left of your undergrad work, so you can improve your GPA by the time you graduate. Try to get your GPA up to 3.5. Take extra electives in classes that you enjoy and that are easy for you. Easy "A's" can also be determined by making a quick visit over to ratemyprofessors.com. With strong letters, strong writing samples, high GRE scores and a very good SOP, you can possibly get into a PhD program with a 3.5ish GPA.
~Karrie

[hippopotassium]

Thanks for your reply! I'll definitely be trying to pull my GPA up...but if I suddenly end up taking easier classes, won't they notice I'm up to something?

[karrie_o]

Not necessarily. Is it possible to "minor" in something easy? When they see that you're taking a bunch of easy classes, then see on your transcript you earned a minor in it, they will know the reason. If there is no option to "minor" in something, then you're right it might look suspicious. HOWEVER, you can take easy classes that appear difficult. Just do this by researching. Like I said, ratemyprofessors.com is a great resource.
~Karrie

[aviation_]

Getting a 3.0 up to 3.5 in two semesters (Spring and Fall, the ones that will show up on applications in a year) is not really possible. After having a 3.0 on 80 credit hours, two semesters worth of courses with a 4.0 in all of them will only raise your GPA to a 3.29. Three semesters of a 4.0 could raise it to a 3.38. It is therefore not possible to raise a 3.0 to a 3.5 by the time the OP graduates unless they delay their graduation, which I don't suggest.
Anyway, my point is this - Don't worry about hitting some number, just do your best to get good grades in your remaining classes, continue to focus on research experience, and prepare well for the GRE.
I would suggest that you apply to both PhD and Masters programs. Cast your net wide.

Good luck.

[karrie_o]

You make a great point, aviation. You're right.
~Karrie

[aviation_]

I do think that the OP could try for a higher GPA for her last 60 hours, though, which is what some schools look at the most. Improve your GPA the best you can, but don't stress over what you can't change.