I graduated from UCSB with a 2.8 and a BS in Cell and Developmental Biology. Since then, I worked for 2 years as a technician in a stem cell lab and for 4 years in a cancer lab as a research associate. I want to apply to graduate school but I am wondering about what I can do to offset my low GPA.
My GRE scores were verbal: 161, quant: 159, writing: 4.5
I am wondering (aside from taking courses because of costs) what I can do to improve my application?
Thanks in advance
The best thing you could do is to take a couple of graduate courses part-time to demonstrate that you are able to handle the material. Presumably you have gotten some research experience over your time of work and you can get solid letters of reference. The Biology GRE is not always required so check the programs you are applying to and if you don’t need it, then don’t take it.
Given your GPA, you might have to start in a MS program even if you intend to eventually try for a PhD. Make sure you apply to some program which are likely to accept you, you don’t want to apply only to highly selective programs which will not consider you because of your GPA.