<p>undergrad has very low GPA for first 3 years, fails a number of courses. </p>
<p>Then undergrad pulls off 4.0s in grad level courses last year, does exceptional research and gets exceptional recs and GRE scores. Not only that, but he has an intense interest in the subject field at hand.</p>
<p>Can he get in? He has proved (a) ability to do graduate level work and (b) ability to do research. He also has exceptional recs with the faculty (who also say that his ability far exceeds what his first 3 years of GPA would indicate).</p>
<p>Personal statement could be how he was irresponsible in the past and how he finally managed to overcome it + how he got so into his research</p>
<p>Can he get in a number of grad schools?</p>
<p>This situation is possible in exceptional cases. ADD is one (while self-control helps with ADD, this self-control often has to be developed over the period of many years - self-control that may not have developed in grade school. This is unfortunate, but it may be the only choice for the one with ADD), another is getting wasted for the first 3 times and then finally realizing one’s potential.</p>
<p>I think it varies from the field to field. If he has been failing core engineering classes, I think the expectation is for him to retake those classes before apply. The fact one has proven himself at solving a specific problem domain doesn’t imply a general mastery of basic knowledge.</p>
<p>But can’t a general mastery of basic knowledge be demonstrated by other ways? For example, the student can tell the professor about his situation, and then the professor can give him a test to show basic knowledge. The professor includes this in his rec. </p>
<p>Subject GRE tests are also a way to demonstrate basic knowledge.</p>
<p>Also, no ADD diagnosis (but suspected ADD).</p>
<p>Professor X may weigh in here, but in general, I doubt you’ll find many adcoms that will be sympathetic with your situation. While there are exceptions to every rule, GPA and to a lesser extent GRE scores minima are there to filter people out. You have to find a way around the filters.</p>
<p>That said, you have a number of options but all will require time to implement. If you are in your senior year now and didn’t apply last fall, you’re looking at Fall 2008 admissions - you have another full academic year plus summer to do something about your GPA. </p>
<p>So…</p>
<ol>
<li>Build a spreadsheet and figure out how much you can realistically raise your GPA by 12/31/07. If you’re still under 3.0 skip ahead to “alternate plan”.</li>
<li>Take more, relevant, classes that will raise your GPA.</li>
<li>Apply in Fall 2007 and take your chances like everybody else </li>
</ol>
<p>Alternate Plan: </p>
<ol>
<li>Find a suitable program and enroll as a “non-matriculated” student. </li>
<li>Get excellent grades, be friendly, make yourself the ideal student</li>
<li>The following year apply to be admitted as a normal grad student. You might or might not lose some credits, but that is the least of your worries at this point.</li>
</ol>
<p>So… stop posting here, go meet with your advisor, and work out a plan.</p>
<p>In my (humanities) area, three years of poor performance and one year of stellar performance will not cut it for admissions.</p>
<p>Evidence of “general mastery of basic knowledge” is provided by one’s GPA and coursework, not by other means. (Even stellar letters of rec cannot make up for this.)</p>
<p>In my opinion, WilliamC has provided very good advice.</p>