hmacneill

[hmacneill]

Hi and thanks for your post. You are correct that these will be challenging programs to get into. Being an international applicant will have its pros and cons. You will need to show the admissions committee that your previous schooling has prepared you to study at their level. However, your experience of international study is a unique characteristic that may give you an edge over some applicants. I think you will want to consider focusing some energy on the GREs again, a higher score can help you a bit. You should also closely evaluate your letters of recommendation. These will be very important in evaluating your abilities and potential. An admissions committee will want to have assurance that you have what it takes to succeed and that you possess the qualities they are looking for. You will want to make sure that your letters are as strong as they can be. A mediocre reference can really hurt you with these schools. It sounds like you have a clear idea of what you want to do and a good fit with each of these programs. That is a good thing and you will need to be able to appropriately communicate this in your essay. So, with enough attention to the above mentioned items, your application to these programs can be competitive.

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Originally posted by oddu

Hi. I’m German and earned the German equivalent of a M.Sc. in Molecular Medicine. Before I took up the study of Molecular Medicine, I did one year of Mechanical engineering, with good grades in higher mathematics and mechanics.
This fall I want to apply for a Program in Systems Biology, which is only offered at Harvard, MIT, and Claremont. So now I’m a little scared/amused at these schools, myself and my options.

Grades: My grades are OK, but not outstanding (average 3.6 or 7). I excel in subjects I’m interested in, and get only average grades in subjects I’m not interested in. because they bore me.

GRE: verbal: 620, quantitative: 750

Research experience: I worked all through my time at university, in five different labs, each a reasonably long time (five months to two years). Actually, working so much probably dropped my grades a little bit.

Recommendation: quite good I expect, although I wouldn’t bet on it. I am very quiet and very independent, so I never did talk a whole lot to my professors. But they’ve been impressed with my work.

Personal statement: I know exactly why I want to get a PhD in systems biology. I can give a very detailed account of what I want to do, where I want to do it, what courses I need to take to be able to do it, or, alternatively, who can teach me how to do it. I could probably draw quite a detailed timeline of my PhD project as I envision it. Also, my interest is multidisciplinary in that many disciplines deal with “complexity”, and biology is just one discipline where it emerges in a very striking way.

Questions: Is that competitive? I am worried about being an international applicant, about my GRE scores, and about my personality – these are “elitarian schools” and I don’t have an elitist or leadership personality. I just want to do what I’m obsessed about, at a place that can give me the necessary background, and strong background.

Thank you.

http://www.xprmntl.org – check it out

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AdmissionsConsultants
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[hmacneill]

Thanks for your post. Certainly the length of time since your undergraduate GPA and the institution you earned it from work in your favor a bit. They will take both of those factors into consideration when reviewing your application. Your Masters GPA will be a great example, to show the committee what you are capable of in recent work. You will still be in a position, though, of having to make yourself as competitive as possible. Your low undergraduate GPA will need to be overshadowed by positives in your background. You will need to apply a great deal of time to your letters of recommendation and essays to highlight your unique qualities and abilities to the admissions committee. If done well, these elements combined with your Masters GPA should put you in a competitive position.
Heather

AdmissionsConsultants
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[hmacneill]

Hi and thanks for your post. I hope I understand your questions correctly: It sounds like your lower GPA is from poor grades in your Biology and Chemistry classes-correct? But that these classes are something you want to highlight to show your readiness for study neuropsychology?
First of all, many programs will evaluate your major GPA with as much value as your cumulative. I think it is worth while to get your application in near the March timeframe, especially if the schools have a rolling admissions policy. They may choose to wait for your spring grades but at least you are there for consideration.
I agree that putting a grade explanation in your essay can be distracting. I do think there are other ways to address it, though. Sometimes the application will have a place to explain “extra information” or you can attach an addendum or cover letter. Keep in mind it is important not to make excuses but to show the committee what you learned from the experience.
Your grades will be only part of your application. Psychology programs will look for more than just your grades and test scores. Your ability to communication and your level of maturity are big factors as well. This makes the other areas of the application vital.
I’m not sure what you meant by “crutch” but I think it would be appropriate to talk about your sciences courses in your application and how they have prepared you for your chosen course of study.
Best of luck with your studies.
Heather

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Originally posted by LadyBioPsy2005

Hello. I’m having a pretty hard time preparing for admission to graduate school. I want to enter a M.S. in Psychology (General) program Fall 2006. I was previously a Biology major with a minor in Chemistry before changing to Psychology. This was a major contributor to my low cumulative GPA. After this summer I will have a 2.53/3.54 (overall/major). The school I’m interested in applying to has a 2.8/3.0 minimum. I do have a few “back-up” schools on my list as well, with slightly lower requirements. The application deadline is May 15, 2006. I hope to make all A’s next semester(sure) to get a 2.8 GPA. If so, I would be able to meet the application deadline. If not, I would have to wait until my grades for spring come in, and I might miss the deadline (or get my application in at the last minute). If I did get my application in at the last minute, would that be looked upon negatively? The school starts reviewing applications March 15th, and continues up until the final deadline. Additionally, I have noticed some postings that suggest that explaining a low GPA on a personal statement could be negative. What is the best way for me to express that my grades from Biology and Chemistry, though not great, can significantly contribute to my future in Psychology? My interest area is in Neuropsychology, specifically developing rehabilitative therapies for stroke victims. I believe my background may help a little, but I don’t want to come off as though I’m using it as a “crutch” or making excuses for myself. Thank you.

Too much to do…too little time to do it.

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AdmissionsConsultants
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[hmacneill]

Hi and thanks for your post. A strong application will always need to include strong letters of recommendation and personal statement. This is even more true when you are coming in with a low GPA. The admissions committee is going to need to know why and how you will succeed academically in their program. Your letters and essays will need to explain your academic history and provide reasons/examples for why you will do well at the graduate level. With a low GPA even these things may not be enough. The committee will probably look to see how well you did in your science classes or ask for a “major GPA”. Since you are almost done with school, at this point you will need to focus a lot on your GRE tests + subject test and supplemental application materials. You may need to expand your list of schools that you plan to attend to in case they won’t consider an application with a 2.0 GPA (some will have an automatic minimum GPA). I do think your applying to your chosen programs is worth a shot but you should keep your goals realistic and think about expanding your options.
Heather MacNeill

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Originally posted by kenypowa

Hi there, i would really appreciate for any advices that you can give me.

I am interested in going to grad school next fall in US. However, my gpa is quite low (CGPA=2.0, last year GPA=2.9). I’m from University of Toronto (one of the top school in Canada) and I am graduating with Honours Bachelor of Science (biology specialist)next spring.

So my question is this, if i score high on the GRE and have a couple good recommendation letters and a strong personal statement, what’s are my chances in getting into a respectable school?
(Syracuse U, U of Rochester or Stony Brook etc..) I also have lab experiences as i volunteered in a lab for the past year.

by the way, i planning to apply to Master of Science programs, preferably in biology or biotechnoly.

thx!

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AdmissionsConsultants
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[hmacneill]

Hi Zeph and thanks for your post. Your grades will probably be your biggest challenge in applying to a biochemistry program. I do not think you should “distance” yourself from your academics. Grades will always be a factor in an admissions decision. I do think that you will need to focus on your current grades and accomplishments to show the committee that you are able to perform their work and that your GPA is not an accurate predictor of you academic ability. Applying to a Masters program can help your cause but can also hurt it. It may be an opportunity for you to show potential PhD programs that you are able to succeed at the graduate level. At the same time, many PhD programs like to receive their applicants without graduate degrees. It might be worth your time to apply to both kinds of programs. Apply to some PhD programs by focusing on your current strengths. There are ways to explain the reasons for your poor grades without making excuses that can be compelling to an admissions committee. Then apply to some Masters programs that are better designed for their students to move on to PhD programs. That way you are preparing yourself for your ultimate goal of a PhD.
I hope this helps.
Heather MacNeill
Admissions Consultants

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Originally posted by zephryin

HI, I previouusly posted on here before so this introduction might be familiar. I am a cell biology major and I will be going into my senior year this fall. I have an overall GPA of 2.54GPA! and an even lower sci/math/phys GPA. My first year’s low grades(when i took a lot of my math/sci courses) were due to the sudden death of my little brother and my stubbornness of staying in school instead of taking time off. Since then my grades have been improving, especially recently in my upper level courses (but obviously it hasn’t been enough). I’ve recently took on a liking biochemistry and I even sought out a volunteer job in a laboratory to see what it would be like to work there. Over the course of my undergraduate career I have had A LOT of research experience(3 years). I just got two projects of my own, before I was just helping others out in the lab.

How should I go about trying to obtain my PhD in biochemistry from a decent/good university?

-should I take some years off to distance my grades from my performace?
-should I apply to a sub-par master’s program and then apply to a good PhD program from there?
-or should I just try my luck at applying to phD programs now?

-zeph

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[hmacneill]

Hi Richa,
I wouldn’t call your experience “common” because it’s not the experience itself but what you gained from it that can be valuable. You will be competing with other students with similar experience but if you are able to effectively show how this experience has made you a better applicant then you can be one step ahead. As for the schools, most of your list is pretty competitive. You may want to consider adding 1-2 “safer” schools that still fit your needs academically.
Heather MacNeill
Admissions Consultants

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Originally posted by rich_acd

Thanks for replying! I was going through the list of what all could show me to be unique and I jotted down: teaching experience, research experience, internships, publications. To your knowledge, how common are these in a student’s application to the schools I mentioned? I am trying to get a feel of whether I should apply to more safety schools or is my current list okay? What do you think? Thanks!

– Richa

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AdmissionsConsultants
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[hmacneill]

Hi Richa and thanks for your post. The detail of answer you are looking for in this post may go beyond the design of this message board. They can, however, be answered in great detail in a 1 hour initial consultation, so keep that in mind.
You certainly have good grades and if your GRE scores come through well you have a start at being competitive at these programs. Much of your application will come down to distinguishing yourself from the other applicants. You will need to be able to show how your experiences and research have prepared you and set you apart from the other applicants who may be coming in with more or different kinds of experience. Keep in mind that you are applying to highly competitive schools so a lot of the applicants will have high GPAs and good GRE scores. It is the applicants that have unique qualities and experiences that they will ultimately select, your job is to highlight those in your application and make sure they stand out. I hope this helps get you started.
Heather MacNeill

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Originally posted by rich_acd

Hi,
I am a Junior majoring in Electrical Engineering, and plan to apply to graduate school with specialization in computer networks and telecommunications. Before I ask my questions, I would like to describe my background as I hope to get the questions answered in particular to myself.

By the time I apply, I expect to maintain my GPA of 3.9/4.0, and practice tests indicate my GRE scores should be high (Q=800, V=700, A=5.5; I hope to bring V and A up). I will be having 2 years of teaching experience, and one and a half years of research experience in wireless networking. I will have 3 summer internships under my belt (one in Embedded Systems, one in Networking, and one yet to be determined).

I am planning to apply to the following schools: MIT, UC-Berkeley, UIUC, Georgia Tech, UT-Austin, Texas A&M-College Station, U of Washington-Seattle, UMass-Amherst.

My questions are:

1. Are my credentials sufficient for the schools stated above (particularly the first 4)?

2. If not, what else do I need to accomplish in order to be competitive in them?

3. I am not 100% certain whether I want to continue onto PhD, and hence it is of utmost importance that the graduate school I apply to have funding for MS only students. Any idea whether those schools do?

4. How much do publications matter?

5. If I have one B- in a Sophomore engineering class, and rest all are A’s, how much would that B- matter? I ask this because I understand that some schools look only at the engineering classes the applicant has taken.

6. Besides talking about accomplishments, what else do graduate schools look for in a Statement of Purpose?

7. Any advice that comes to mind which I have not addressed through my questions is very welcome.

Thanks!

– Richa

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AdmissionsConsultants
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[hmacneill]

It really depends on the school. Some schools will take an average of the two tests. Some will take the higher score and some will only take the most recent. I think most science related programs are going to focus on your math scores and will probably look at your highest score for your potential. Keep in mind the GRE is just part of the application and many programs may not use it at all. 790 is a good score so don’t forget to focus some time on the other aspects of your application where you have the ability to really differentiate yourself from the other applicants. Best of luck to you.
Heather MacNeill

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Originally posted by Hydro46

Hi. I am an upcoming senior chemistry major at Univ. of Miami. 3.45 GPA, undergrad TA for general chemistry labs for 2 years and a recitation TA for a year. My question is, I have taken my GRE’s twice. I have a higher math score on the first test, 790. And a higher verbal score on the second test, 600. Will most graduate admissions take the highest verbal and highest math, or is this generally not the case. Any input would be great!

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AdmissionsConsultants
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[hmacneill]

Hi and thanks for your post. In regards to your first question: I think if you are able to put together a very strong application with your GPA, strong GRE scores (90th percentile), stellar letters of recommendation and essays, you can be competitive from your university. Admissions committees will first look at your grades and GPA but take a lot of information and value from your letters of recommendation (who wrote them as well as content) and the message in your personal statement. By identifying yourself as a unique applicant with competitive characteristics can go far beyond your grades and test scores as well as the school awarding your degree.
For your second question: I think you should determine the degree you ultimately want to receive. I don’t think the Masters degree will necessarily help you with the above goal, although it may help give admissions committee evidence of your ability to complete graduate work. I agree that the Masters could potentially hurt your chances in some cases. Best of luck to you.
Heather MacNeill

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Originally posted by Rob116

Hello,

I am currently in my fourth year of a degree in political science (theory orientation) at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada. The school is one of the 8-10 or so ‘major’ universities in Canada, but is not considered to be one of the top four or five (although this distinction is considered by many to be somewhat overblown). I am currently ranked first in my class, carry a 3.93 CGPA and have received several significant awards. I have excellent letters of recommendation, am president of the Political Science Student Union, and have a focused and well-researched program of study in mind. I plan to apply to a number of Ivy League schools in the US, and am curious about the kind of GRE scores that will be necessary for my application to be considered ‘competitive’ given the relative obscurity of my school in the US (even though SFU is NOT obscure in the Canadian context).

A second question: would I be better off to complete an MA in Political Theory at the University of British Columbia or U of Toronto (where there are a number of political scientists who are well-known in the US) or would possession of an MA ‘turn off’ admissions officers at American PhD programs who conceive of an MA as a ‘terminal degree’ (which is not the way that things work in Canada – most students get their MA before moving on to PhD work).

If you could help me out in any way, it would be greatly appreciated.

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AdmissionsConsultants
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[hmacneill]

Hi and thanks for your post. Many graduate admissions committees will look beyond the applicants overall GPA to answers to concerns about academic ability. Many will look at the major GPA to see how the applicant did in his/her major. Some will look at the last 2 year GPA and some will look for grades in specific classes. Often, most important is the applicant’s ability to identify unique qualities and accomplishments. Most programs will look beyond the GPA for answers about the applicant and what they can add to the program.
Taking more classes to raise your overall GPA is typically not advised. If you feel there are some classes, however, that can help prepare you for graduate study then I would encourage you. An admissions committee will look closely at what you did during your last semester. So if you chose not to take classes, make sure your time is spent well in work, volunteer or travel helping to make you a more competitive applicant. Best of luck to you.
Heather MacNeill

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Originally posted by lvaughan

Hi,

I have a similar question as the prior poster: is there any hope of getting into grad school for political science or sociology with a 2.3 GPA? (For what it’s worth, my major GPA is 3.5 [including 2 grad level classes], as was my GPA for my most recent semester). If it is possible, what kind of range should I be realistically looking at?

Here’s part two of this question, if you don’t mind.

I have enough credits to graduate without taking any more classes. I also have the option to take one final semester. If I did take an extra semester for the purpose of raising my overall GPA, I could only raise it to a 2.6 at most. In your opinion, would this make much of a difference? I would prefer to graduate now, but I would hold off if it would make a significant difference.

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AdmissionsConsultants
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[hmacneill]

Thanks for your post. I agree, I think you do have some challenges in front of you. There are going to be some programs with minimum GPA requirements that may not review your application. You should select a wide range of schools to apply to: some “high desire” schools and some “safety” schools.
There are ways to strengthen your application in an effort to draw some attention away from your low GPA. Keep in mind, however, that while you can draw attention away from the GPA you will still need to convey to the admissions committee your ability to complete the coursework in their program at a high level. They will want to see that you have the maturity and problem solving skills to make it through their coursework. Definitely focusing on your research experience and GREs can help this effort. I do think it is ok to explain deficiencies in your essay or in an addendum to your application. It is very important to do this without making excuses. There is a delicate balance when writing this kind of explanation and should focus more on what your learned from the experience. Best of luck to you.
Heather MacNeill

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Originally posted by alphagamma

I’m looking to apply to graduate school for biomedical programs (my top choice at this point is Boston University). I am wondering about my chances of being admitted. My overall gpa is dismal at a 2.3 (this includes my bioengr major and 3 minors). My major gpa is a 2.9 (not good, but still dismal). I have been doing research (a paper I help produced was a finalist at the bioengineering conference of this year). My GREs will be taken at the end of the summer, but my quantitative scores have been at least 750.

If you don’t mind answering a second part of this question, how can I improve my chances? I know many times people say one should explain any deficiencies, but I do not believe a strong essay can be made when I talk about taking 5 classes a quarter (the idea was to learn to be able to adapt to such a load), doing research at the same time, and dealing with my mother’s cancer (went home often to help around the house and give support).

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[hmacneill]

Thanks for your post. It sounds like you are doing some great stuff to help prepare you for graduate study. I agree that your undergraduate work may be your biggest challenge. Many public policy programs will look closely at the applicant’s coursework and grades in economics. You’ve done well in your class so far, but it may take more than one class. I think your commitment to taking these classes above and beyond your undergraduate studies will show the admissions committee determination and commitment to your goal, however. I do think your work/volunteer experience is exceptional and you should definitely highlight these in your application. Programs do not choose their classes on grades and test scores alone. If you can successfully highlight some features as to why you are a unique and qualified applicant you may be able to draw some focus away from your grades (although they are not bad) and major. To be safe, you may consider taking more economics classes to help boost your academics. I think you should also consider applying to some “safety” schools along with some of your “top 10” choices. This, of course, assumes you want to get started on your graduate studies right away. Best of luck to you.
Heather MacNeill
Admissions Consultants

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Originally posted by Straycat17

Ok, so i just posted this in a new topic but now i think that’s wrong….so I’m gonna try it again here.

Alright, I am 24 and I graduated from a top tier liberal arts school (Skidmore College) with a 3.3 GPA. (Not bad, not great) After graduation I worked for a labor union to fight with janitors who were striking to earn a living wage. Then I took a job running an after school program at my local YMCA, followed by some hardcore time on the Kerry Campaign in Pennsylvania (we won the battle but lost the war). Because I majored in Philosophy, right now I am taking classes at Northeastern in Economics where I have an A average to help boost my credentials. Lastly, this fall, I hope to move to Mexico for a few months where I would be working for a Human Rights commission.
Now, assuming I take the GRE’s and do alright (On practice tests I’ve been scoring over 700 verbal, and just below 700 Math), what are my chances of getting into a top notch Public Policy graduate program? My hopes are high, but I am realistic. I feel my GPA is a weak point but hope the GRE’s and work experience could overshadow that fact. Do I have reason to be hopeful, or should I start accepting the idea that top 10 is probably not in my future?

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[hmacneill]

Dear Hinata,
Thanks for your questions. Applying to competitive PhD programs involve several different factors. Your excellent GPA will certainly help you and a strong GRE will help your chances as well. The PhD programs that you mention will also be looking closely at your research experience and your match to their particular areas of focus and study. It is important to make a connection with a faculty member and their research prior to applying to the program. Because your Bachelors degree is not from a “prestigious” university, you will have to draw the focus of your application to the strengths you can bring to the program. It is important to highlight how your experiences to date make you a competitive applicant and detail features about yourself that make you a unique applicant. There are many elements of the application, including the essays and letter of recommendation, that will allow you to draw yourself out from the rest of the applicant pool and help your chances of being selected.
Heather MacNeill

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Originally posted by hinata

Hi, I’d appreciate any advice you could give me.

I an a fourth year Electrical Engineering student and about to get a B.S. at the end of the summer and will be getting an M.Eng. about a year to a year and a half afterwards at the same school (5 year M.Eng. program at the University of Louisville’s Speed School). Afterwards, I would like to apply to a PhD program in electrical engineering at some competitive schools like Stanford, Berkeley, UCLA, Columbia, etc. I am worried that since I did not go to a very prestigious college for my bachelors or masters that it will be greatly counted against me. My GPA is good, I expect my B.S. GPA to be 3.966 at the end of the summer for my B.S. and something similar for my M.Eng. I have also started doing research, so I will have some graduate research experience. I haven’t taken the GRE yet and I don’t have much extracurriculars.

So honestly, what are my chances of getting into any of these types of schools? Will getting a very high GRE score greatly help offset the fact that my college isn’t top ranked?

Thanks,
Hinata

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AdmissionsConsultants
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[hmacneill]

Thanks for question. The answer to your question is really going to depend on the school you are looking to apply to Some schools will look closely at the school/program where the degree was earned. Many will want to see that the degree was earned from a school with a challenging and/or reputable program. Keep in mind, however, that few schools will use that as the deciding factor. Most schools will want to see a well rounded applicant with good grades/test scores as well as someone with unique qualities to bring to their program. Be sure to focus on your essays and letters of reference, as well as your postbac classes and grades. If you are able to show the determination to do well in a postbac program along with other real life accomplishments and interests, you can present yourself as a competitive applicant.
Heather MacNeill
Admissions Consultants

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Originally posted by physicspostbac

Hello,

I am searching for a postbac program.

I graduated with a BS in Communications in 2002. I am now interested in returning to school for a PhD in Physics. Before I apply for grad school, I need to meet all of the undergraduate requirements in physics.

Any suggestions on a postbac program for physics? I have found many premed programs, but few general postbac programs. Given these circumstances, would you suggest attending a highly-rated university for these undergraduate requirements, or would a local state university suffice?

Thank you!

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AdmissionsConsultants
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[hmacneill]

Hi Mark,
Thanks for your comments and questions. I think your first step is to determine which graduate schools fit your particular interests best. I assume you are interested in pursuing your PhD. When selecting a PhD program, one of the most critical factors is finding a school and faculty member that fits your area of potential research (it does not hurt to make a connection with a faculty member personally). It sounds like you have done great scholastically so you will have no trouble selling yourself in that area (assuming your GRE scores come in well). Your focus, in your application, should be on how your research to date has prepared you for graduate study at their school. You will need to communicate your readiness and maturity for rigorous research and graduate study. I think you can certainly select a handful of your top choices of schools to apply to with confidence. Assuming you can put together a strong, well-rounded application that communicates your fit with the university and program, you will have a good shot at being a competitive applicant.

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Originally posted by MEckert84

Hey, this seems like a great site and I’d like to thank you in advance for any help you can give me.

I am a rising senior at NC State majoring in Chemistry (BS) and Biochemistry (BS) with a minor in Genetics. I have a 4.0 GPA (both cumulative and majors) as well as Phi Beta Kappa, dean’s list, etc.

My problem, however, is that I only started doing research spring of my junior year. The research is in the analytical chemistry department and I have gained extensive experience with MALDI-MS and SPR. Additionally, I have presented a poster at the local ACS section meeting and have received a grant from the NC-ACS to fund my research. There is also a possibility of publishing a paper sometime this fall.

Although I have not taken the GRE yet I usually test well and have consistently gotten 1500+ on practice tests. Given this, what type of chemistry graduate schools would be likely to accept me? My first choice is definitely UNC-CH for analytical chemistry.

Thanks again,

Mark

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