<p>^^^ Good post, Kryptonsa36.</p>
<p>Grad programs want to identify applicants who have aptitude and ambition. They want students who will go beyond mere coursework and into the more serious area of scholarly research. For this reason, programs consider the GPA a starting point – they want students who can do the coursework well and pass the generals/prelims – but they look at research experience as more of a predictor. That’s why a 3.4 student with excellent research will trump a 3.8 one with little experience. At a certain point, generally above 3.3 for top programs, GPA fails to matter.</p>