<p>Graduating with a couple of research projects, major in BioChem, minor in engineering, want to get a PhD in BME or biomolecular E. GPA is lower than what is posted as typical for accepted grad students. Will 3.0 from Mudd hurt chances?</p>
<p>Lower GPA will always hurt chances, always. It won’t ruin your chances. Did you grades improve during the last 2 years? Some graduate schools have policies of only looking at the last 2 years.</p>
<p>Even though a 3.3-3.4 is enough to graduate with honors, and only 6 kids graduated with a 4.0 in the history of the college (since 1955)? The grade deflation is severe.</p>
<p>Regardless of grade inflation, deflation, or whatever, a lesser GPA is always going to hurt. Although, one could argue that a 3.9 is better than a 4.0.</p>
<p>hmm how so?</p>
<p>Yes, it will hurt you. A 3.0 is too low, even accounting for grade deflation. You’ll need significant research accomplishments and stellar letters of recommendation to offset your low GPA.</p>
<p>Well, what is an acceptable GPA? What if grade are higher in major coursework? The core grades (taken freshman/soph year) bring almost everybody’s GPA down.</p>
<p>If the grade is higher in your major coursework, that helps, I suppose.</p>
<p>What is your general GRE like?</p>
<p>780 verbal, 750 quantitative, and 6 on writing.</p>