This semester has been rough. I’m a conservation biology/ecology major, and my GPA might come out to be a 3.2 this semester which feels horrible compared to my usual 3.8-4.0. Not only did I take the hardest classes I possibly could (some classes appeared easy when I registered), I also had to put both my parents in skilled nursing care due to health issues. I was very stressed and sometimes didn’t have the willpower to study. Could this affect my ability to get into a master’s program??
Sorry you had those issues. Nobody can pretend to predict the future, but you should be able to find a place in grad school application to discuss the family emergency you dealt with this semester.
Not necessarily, if you aim right. What matters most will be how you did in the courses most relevant to the next program. And, having some defined interests for masters research. It’s not as open ended as undergrad. In many programs, you’re supposed to apply with an academic and research path in mind.
And since they choose you based on matching their interests, be sure you’re a good candidate for those programs, to work with those profs’ research focuses.
You don’t often get to explain stresses affected your readiness- especially when they’re likely ongoing. Your parents’ issues may continue to take some of your time and attention. So make the most of how you did pull through, what you do offer their programs.