Grad School -- Do I have a chance?

webbks
Sun, 06 Aug 2017 21:55:18 +0000

So. I’m starting to research graduate schools to start applications. Right now, I have about 15 schools on my list. 3 of them are masters programs, and 12 are Ph.D. programs, but the 12 are at top schools for my field, which is history.

I had a miserable freshman year; I got a D the first semester and failed a class the second semester. I ended up with a 2.9 GPA, or something like that. Since then, my GPA hasn’t been less than a 3.5 per semester. I haven’t taken the GRE yet. I have had three internships in my field, and volunteer experience in my field as well. I’m able to read, write, and speak three relevant languages. I’m in the honors society for my major and have presented, or plan to present, at the conference all four years. I was published in an undergraduate review. I’m also graduating with departmental honors because of my honors thesis.

I have something written in a personal statement about my grades: It would be disingenuous of me not to address the problems in my background, in relation to poor grades that I received freshman year. I faced a learning curve my freshman year while adjusting to a new environment, but have since excelled in my courses. Since then, I have committed myself to my studies and have made them my top priority, Because of the changes I have made, my GPA has been at least a 3.5.

Do I have a chance at getting into a good grad program? How many programs should I apply to?