Graduate school admissions 101 - Page 20

aldo003b · 10-06-2009, 01:51 PM

All the biomedsci phd programs in NYC provide subsidized housing, not just Rockefeller. They wouldn't have any students if they didn't

Pauli86 · 10-13-2009, 11:11 PM

My name is Paulina, I come from Ecuador, South America. i will apply to graduate bioengineering school in Europe. I am worried about my gpa, is 3.25, electrical engineering. The issue was i used to have a good gpa, around 3.4, but I had a terrible semester, i was really sick, but my parents insisted I should stay, but I couldn't handle it..so i got 2.5 on that semester. After that i recovered, and I have like a 3.8 in my 2 final years. I have done research job in Switzerland and my tesis project in France, around 6 months. Most of the graduates of my school, go to American top schools, because most of them are genious, but I am not, just a normal girl.
Besides that i speak english, french and german.
i have 3 publications, i am part of the ieee student association in my country and I have good gre scores, around 1400.
my question is, does my gpa, is going to be a big issue..over my application?

Sagistic · 10-14-2009, 01:12 AM

TO Pauli86

From what I understand (at least the books I have read on admissions in US Graduate schools), if you have proof of your illness (such as a medical documentation), you could possibly attach it on your application with a note attached explaining your circumstances (ex. asking if they could leave out that particular semester, and averaging your GPA without it).

However, even if you do not have such documentation, and the rest of your academic quarters were stable (~3.4), then I'm sure they will give you the benefit of the doubt of that particular quarter (especially if they look at your transcript at a semester to semester basis). I wouldn't worry too much about it.

FishOutOfWater · 10-24-2009, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Do I have a shot at a master's in social work?

I am a graduate with a B.S. in Psychology from a middle-level University. Throughout my undergraduate career, I dealt with great bouts of depression which I finally treated toward the end of college. Therefore, my GPA is now a 2.85. In my major, it is a 3.2, and my last two semesters were 3.3 and 3.4.

That being said, I am currently volunteering with two different organizations in the social work field, and studying for my GRE (although most schools I am interested in don't require it). I also volunteered at a social-work related organization in college, and was exposed to international social work when I studied abroad in college.

Is my GPA going to blacklist me from school? Should I give up before I try?

Someone please help me! I am so anxious about this that I almost don't want to apply.

Thanks.

You definitely still have a chance at admissions to an MSW program. Although some of the top programs do require 3.0s, I believe that for many of them that is for your most recent two years of college. It sounds like from your upward trend in grades that you had a 3.0 your final two years of college and would therefore meet that requirement. There are other programs that may not be as well-known (but still good quality) that will allow people with a 2.7 or 2.8 to apply and possibly enter on probationary status for the first semester until you prove you can handle the work. I would definitely discuss your GPA in your personal statement and emphasize how you conquered personal problems and therefore show an upward trend.

GPA is one small part of the application for MSW programs, and with the rest of your background and experience I'm certain there is a program out there that would love to have you as a student.

MSWHopeful · 11-04-2009, 03:33 PM

Hi! I'm new on here, but I wanted to throw out a question or two. I'm a returned peace corps volunteer hoping to get into a great MSW program. Thing is, my undergrad is not in Social Work...but it IS in communication studies. My GPA and GRE scores aren't great, but they aren't horrible either. I have some great references, but I was hoping that someone could message me or reply as to what my chances might be for getting into a good program. Right now my heart is kind of set on University of Maryland if nothing else because of it's Shriver's Peace Program. Does anyone have any experience with this or any good insight?? I appreciate it!

tenisghs · 11-04-2009, 06:46 PM

MSWHopeful, you do not need a BSW to enter MSW programs. I do not have a BSW, and I am a current MSW student at the University of Michigan. Social Work schools generally like applicants to have volunteer service and community involvement.

eatyourbrains · 11-05-2009, 02:39 PM

I am applying for programs to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience and I'm wondering:

What sort of research they are looking for / expecting? Science labs only, or just something that involves thinking/doing things other than bookwork?
How important is it that you have a lot of research experience that fits these guidelines?

I am coming from an engineering field (computer-related), and I have done Junior/Senior projects in that field and worked for several years, but my experience doesn't really seem like "research" to me. It is certainly not "science lab" type research.

I have excellent grades, pretty good GRE scores (over 1400), and I'm sure my letters of rec will be very positive. Will this lack of related experience still make me a long-shot candidate?

Lastly, somewhat unrelated. Do Letters of Rec need to be from PhDs? The people who have the best insight about me, who I was planning on using for recs, all have only a BS or MS degree. Is this ok?

FishOutOfWater · 11-07-2009, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Hi! I'm new on here, but I wanted to throw out a question or two. I'm a returned peace corps volunteer hoping to get into a great MSW program. Thing is, my undergrad is not in Social Work...but it IS in communication studies. My GPA and GRE scores aren't great, but they aren't horrible either. I have some great references, but I was hoping that someone could message me or reply as to what my chances might be for getting into a good program. Right now my heart is kind of set on University of Maryland if nothing else because of it's Shriver's Peace Program. Does anyone have any experience with this or any good insight?? I appreciate it!

I got into a great MSW program, and I had a BA not in the social sciences, a respectable but not amazing GPA, and fairly average GRE scores. With your Peace Corps experience, I think you have a great background to get into a top MSW program. With MSW programs, the GPA and test scores aren't as important, provided they are decent. What is important is your experience in the field, your letters of rec, your essays, and the passion and commitment you show towards social work in your application packet. Good luck! It sounds like you have a great shot to me.