<p>I received some very low grades in the D range in science classes during my undergraduate. My current GPA is right around 3, and it should be around 3.4 by the time I graduate. If I would still like to pursue a career in the sciences, what would you recommend for improving my credentials? I have thought about staying an extra semester in undergraduate just to add more courses to raise the GPA. Additionally, how much would high standardized test scores make up for the three D grades (if at all)?</p>
<p>And your major is?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t stay an extra semester just to raise your overall GPA - your goal is to prove that you can excel in classes in your field, not that you know how basic math works. Instead, you should graduate on time and then perhaps take a few graduate classes as a non-degree student in your field (e.g., physics classes for physics PhD hopeful) while you work full-time. Also, get some more research experience. That always helps.</p>
<p>No, high standardized test scores do not make up for low grades in core courses. The former is a dubious measure of general aptitude, while the latter measures actual performance in your field. Sometimes high GRE scores can temper the impact of a mediocre cumulative GPA but not poor performance in the major (at least in my experience, but it probably varies from program to program).</p>