Curiousity

[kelaina]

So I have a question regarding returning for a MA or Ph.D.

Is it possible several years later to attempt to get into a program if one has a shoddy undergrad GPA?

I don't recall hearing anything about it, but I'm wondering if its possible?

X-posted to a_a

Comments

[freddie]

Define "shoddy".

[flamingjune07]

I think it's pretty commonplace for people in that position, who really want to get back into academia (and think they do have the ability/skills for it, despite the shoddy undergrad GPA) to do an MA first, in order to establish a better track record and get back into the swing of things. This may vary by field, though, I'm just familiar with humanities stuff.

[kelaina]

That was kind of my reasoning as well; basically a friend and I were talking about this, and it was like, "Well, what if you screwed up really bad on your BA, (like, under a 3.0), and five years later realized you were really passionate about X, and needed to return to academia to study X?"

And I was wondering if there was any practical solution. I guess the hard part would be convincing the admissions office to give you a chance?

[gangur]

This is also the case in the social sciences, IME.

[tisiphone]

Depends on what you've done in the meantime and what you're willing to do to make it right?

[brittdreams]

You weren't really foolish enough to post this to a_a, were you? If so, you've answered your own question.

[kelaina]

They were nice about it. I deleted it after the first post recommended I post it here.

[brittdreams]

What I meant is that posting it there shows your inability to read and follow guidelines.

[crazypumpkin]

I graduated with a 3.1 in biomedical sciences (and my 3 C's were all in major classes). I applied with 7 years of full time work experience, both in and out of my field (though the vast majority was applicable to what I want to study). I applied to 8 biomedical/microbiology programs, interviewed at 5 and got into 3. Yes, my lower grades definitely made it harder. But one of the schools I got into is ranked #3 for my field. So go figure.