<p>Keep in mind you’re competing for a small set of spots versus students that went to schools similar to your own PLUS a good GPA. Keep in mind a 3.0 is a minimum, and generally most successful applicants will have considerably higher (in my PhD program I think I’m one of the lowest with around a 3.6, even though their “minimum” is a 3.0).</p>
<p>Experiences might be different when applying for a MS program since those you generally have to pay your own way.</p>