hmacneill

[hmacneill]

Hi Zeph and thanks for your questions. I can really only answer your first question, you would be better served to post your medical school question on the med school site. As for your Masters, based on what you have done so far, I think you could apply to graduate programs now. It sounds like you have worked hard to get some research experience and I don’t think taking time off will add that much more experience to your resume to make a difference. You will have a challenge, however, overcoming your GPA. You will need to work hard to show an admissions committee that you able to complete the academic coursework at a high level. Many programs will look directly at your most recent coursework and some may focus more on the program specific GPA (in your case the math and science courses) when determining an applicants academic ability. I think you will need to focus most on highlighting your academic successes and on translating your research experience into academic potential. Good luck with your decisions.
Heather MacNeill

AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885

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Originally posted by zephryin

I am confused. 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. Right now I don’t know if I want to go to medical school or graduate school. I am thinking of trying to get my master’s degree in biochemistry and deciding from there. Now to the question part:

1) Should I apply directly from undergrad to a grad school program, or should I wait awhile?

2) If I do decide that I want to go to medical school after I get my M.S., would I be competitive? Or would my uGPA still bring me down considerably?

thank you for your time and patience.

zeph

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AdmissionsConsultants
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[hmacneill]

Hi Justin and thanks for your post. The answer to your question depends on several things. The type of graduate program you are applying to is the main factor. Many graduate programs highly value an applicants overall experience and maturity. For these you would need to show that your overall academic experience was well rounded and diverse. For any graduate program you will need to show that you are a unique applicant with a background and motivation that the program will value. For some, your ability to complete your coursework in 3 years with excellent grades, would be that unique and desirable quality. The best way to communicate these assets is through your personal statement and letters of recommendation. Through these aspects of your application you are able to differentiate yourself from the rest of the applicant pool and add even more value to your good grades and curriculum.
Best of Luck to you.
Heather MacNeill

AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885

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Originally posted by Jnuss133

I am cuurently going into my second year of undergrad as a biology major. I have been able to test out of nearly all of my core requirements and am seeing that it would be possible to finish my degree in three years by adding just a few summer classes. I would finish with far more science classes than are required as well. My grades and test scores are very high. I was just wondering how a graduate school would view this. I did not know if finishing early while taking a lot of difficult classes would look good, or if staying the extra year, taking a few more classes, and getting more experience would make me more compettetive. Thanks for your help.
-Justin Nussbaum

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[hmacneill]

Thank you for your post. It sounds like you have some of the elements of a competitive application with a strong GPA and curriculum. The tricky part of your situation is your decision of whether to complete your current course of study. Some schools may not look favorable at your decision to discontinue a determined course of study. To some committees, this may indicate a pattern of not finishing an academic program. This might cause them some concern. Certainly, finishing your degree in Medieval/Renaissance Studies will eliminate this as a concern and combined with strong letters of recommendation and essays will help make you a competitive applicant. If you choose to not finish the degree, there are ways to draw attention to all of the positives of your application, mainly through a strong personal statement and strong letters of recommendation. There are ways to highlight how your experience and academics to date make you a unique and competitive applicant for their program. You should, however, be prepared to address any questions regarding why you have chosen to not complete your current degree.
Best of Luck to you.
Heather MacNeill

AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885

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Originally posted by majikali

I am a postbaccalaureate undergraduate working towards a second degree in Medieval/Renaissance Studies at a well known Public University. My first BA was from a private Liberal Arts college in New York. I am hoping to apply to Graduate school this fall (I have not taken the GREs yet) and want to go into a Comparative Literature program. My top choice schools are Columbia, UCLA, Yale, and UC-Berkeley (in that order). I know that these are very difficult schools to get into, and was wondering if you could advise me as to whether I might be a competetive candidate. I am 21 and in my 5 years of college have a cumulative GPA of 3.92; I am unenthusiastic about receiving my second BA, because I hate the University I am at.
With a GPA like mine, between 7-8 relevant classes taken (though I’ve never majored in Comp. Lit) and good recommendations (which I am confident I could obtain), do you think it’s necessary to complete one last year in order to be competitive at a school like Columbia?
Also: if I were to cease my current path of study, would taking a year off from classes hinder my chances?

Thanks for any advice you can give.

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AdmissionsConsultants
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[hmacneill]

Hi and thanks for your post. It sounds like you have worked hard and have a lot of what these schools will be looking for. Your GPA, diverse curriculum and GRE scores will help you in the admissions process. There are aspects of your application that are important during the review process that I can’t assess at this time. Your personal essays and letters of recommendation are key elements to your competitiveness. Your essay or personal statement and letters of recommendation are your opportunities to differentiate yourself from the other applicants and highlight why you are a worthy applicant for their program. It is important to highlight certain experiences and accomplishments that make you unique and draw you out from the rest of the applicant pool. These things, along with your GPA and GRE scores, help make someone a competitive applicant.

Heather MacNeill

Admissions Consultants
703.242.5885

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Originally posted by ms200fly

Hi

I’m a senior at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, majoring in math of OR and computer science and with 40 credits(10 classes) worth of Economics classes. My school doesn’t offer an Economics minor. My GPA is 3.75. I have guided my schedule for the past 3 years to go into financial mathematics with computation. I have taken 1 graduate level class last year in mathematics and will be taking one in computer science this year. Ever since freshman year I’ve done an undergraduate research project, all in various topics that combined math with computer science. I have taken courses in Finance such as Risk Management and Derivative Markets. I have taken the GRE and my scores are 740q / 680v.

The schools I’m looking at are:

Carnegie Mellon University (computational finance)
Columbia University(financial mathematics)
NYU’s Courant Insitute (Financial Mathematics)
University of Toronto (Math of Finance)

I am particularly interested in CMU and NYU. What do you think are my chances at these schools?

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AdmissionsConsultants
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[hmacneill]

Hi Jamie,
I apologize for the delay in getting back to you on your post. It sounds like you have worked hard in your studies and college activities and you should feel good about your high GPA. This will certainly make a good impression on admission committees. The GRE is an area that is often required by graduate programs but may not be the most important factor in an admission decision. There are many ways to help the admissions committee focus on the most positive aspects of your application, if you are worried about a low test score. Two important aspects of an application that can help highlight your positive accomplishments are your essays and letters of recommendation. Through these, you can draw a focus towards your strengths and accomplishments and make the GRE scores less of a factor. These are the best ways to avoid the pitfalls that you mentioned.
Good luck.

Heather MacNeill

AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885

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Originally posted by JamieB

Hello,

I have posted this message on the regular admissions board but would also appreciate the advice of an admissions expert. Thanks.

I am researching potential graduate programs in English and am slightly daunted by some of their requirements as well as the
C.V.’s of their accepted applicants. I have tried to maintain a solid record,but was wondering what I could do to increase my chances of acceptance in a solid program while I still have time.

I am currently a rising Junior in English (with minors in Political Science, Theatre, and potentially Renaissance Studies)at an average campus within a prestigious state system. I am on scholarship and I have a very high GPA and several E.C.s including membership in two honor societies, awards and participation in theatre, and leadership positions in an honor society and the Spanish Club (which I co-chartered) as well as work experience.

However, I have not taken the GRE and do not always test well (especially in math) and am worried that this, coupled with my school’s tendency of only sending students to regional graduates programs, will adversely affect my applications. In essence, what are the best ways to avoid or offset these pitfalls?

Thank you again for your time.

Jamie

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AdmissionsConsultants
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[hmacneill]

Thank you for your questions. I apologize for the delay in responding to your post. Applying to a PhD program is a very distinct and personal decision and process. The best way to choose the best school for you is to review the top schools of your choice and then make sure there are professors studying your specific area of interest and that they will be accepting new students for that specific area. Your GPA and GRE scores will certainly not eliminate you from consideration. Keep in mind that grades and test scores are only part of the admissions process and the majority of the applicants accepted may not fit the specific criteria that you found on these schools. Your grades and test scores do make it important, however, for you to devote extra focus to the “other” areas of your application. Strong letters of recommendation and a convincing personal statement can make you a very competitive applicant for most any program. I believe it is also important for you to continue your work in the field to help you expand your professional contacts and experience. Best of luck to you.

Heather MacNeill

AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885

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Originally posted by materialsguy

Hi, thanks for helping so many people out! I hope maybe you can help me as well. I have been thinking about graduate school for a while but I have only just recently taken my GRE’s. Long story short..

GRE: 650 v, 800 q, awa:?
UC Berkeley B.S. Chemical Engineering, B.S. Materials Science (2004)
GPA: 3.4 overall, 3.4 ChE, 3.7 M.S.
Research Experience: one fruitless year at Lawrence Berkeley National Labs researching solid oxide fuel cells
Work: 6 months so far at BP as a chemical engineer

I want to study for my phd in Materials Science, but I have no idea where I can get in because the average GPA’s I see are sky high. I would like to know what kind of schools I can shoot for (tier 1, tier 2..) and what I can do in the meantime to make myself more attractive to a university.

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AdmissionsConsultants
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[hmacneill]

Hi Mario,
Thank you for your questions. The best way for you to get your question answered is to post it on the Law School message board. An admissions consultant with expertise in Law School Admissions will be happy to help you.

Heather MacNeill

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Originally posted by Tkekoolkid

First and foremost, i would like to thank you guys for this board. The information here is priceless and extremelly useful. I am a senior at Rutgers University and I have a 3.0 and a 155 on my Lsats. I have great internship expirience(office of Public defender), and law related jobs and a Criminal Justice Major (3.6) with a Social Psychology minor. I am also an Ecuadorian immigrant who came to the states with my family at an early age due to the high political corruption in Ecuador. I have also been involved in polical campigns, as being the founder of a voting registration drive. I have done research with an award winning professor and I am currently the vice-president of my fraternity. I am a strong believer of equal protection rights and contitutional law. I would like to become a public defender one day, however I would like you to let me know what chances do I have of making it into law school and which law schools should i focus on?
Thank you for your help.

Mario C.

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AdmissionsConsultants
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[hmacneill]

Dear Sean. Thank you for your questions. It sounds like you have met some of the expectations that schools have for their admissions pool. The tough part is knowing how large and competitive that pool is. To pull yourself out of a large pool of applicants it is essential that your personal statement and letters of recommendation identify your strengths and unique characteristics as well as explaining any perceived weaknesses. If your personal statement was able to identify the qualities that will make you a competitive applicant and a good fit for their program, you will certainly have a chance at being admitted. At this point, you are in the tough position and having to wait and see. Best of luck to you.

Heather MacNeill

AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885

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Originally posted by imohdsal

To whom this may concern:

I am an undergraduate student at a state school in California. I majored in math and I have applied to 5 graduate programs in math for a Master of Science leading up to a Ph.D.

I would like to know what my chances are in being admitted to the graduate math programs from the following schools: Purdue University, UC Davis, UC Irvine, University of Arizona, and Northeastern University.

My college background is as follows: 3.1 GPA, GRE General (Math: 720, Verbal: 550), GRE Math Subject Test (unknown), an excellent letter of recommendation from the math department chair of my school (with 2 good letters of rec), a 6-month independent research experience (1 letter of rec details this research), an A in graduate algebra I, a C in graduate analysis I, an interest in algebra and its applications (coding theory, cryptography), and a specification of a professor of interest for each of the schools above.

Also, a modest college experience is explained. In brief: 1 semester living in a car, worked 30 hours per week (tutoring) while attending school, divorce of parents, no financial aid, and 4 deaths in the family since the year 2000.

Please provide any pertinent information.

Thank you,

Sean.

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AdmissionsConsultants
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[hmacneill]

Hello and sorry for the delay in getting back to you. It is a busy time of year and we strive for a 72 hour turnaround for feedback. I don’t always recommend putting a defense for the GPA in the personal statement, only because it can sometimes detract from the message of the essay. Some schools offer a supplemental essay or provide space to add information that “you would like to explain further” or “was not covered elsewhere in the application”. If the schools you are applying to provide this, I would recommend that you write about your grades there. Another option is to attach an addendum or cover letter explaining that your undergraduate GPA did not meet your personal expectations and highlight the areas that you feel make you a competitive applicant. Your personal statement should be about you and why you are applying to their program. Highlighting experiences and challenges that you have had that have taught you about your chosen field and prepared you for graduate study at this level. If you choose to address your GPA here, make sure you highlight it as a challenge and focus on how you have changed from the experience and why you are now a better applicant because of it. The last thing you want to do with any of these options is make excuses for the grades. Take ownership and try to show a resulting positive.
Good luck.
Heather MacNeill

Admissions Consultants
703-242-5885

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Originally posted by jpmciver

I do not have the most competitve GPA, but it is on the rise. I am a graduating senior, how do I describe that in the personal statement. Describing that i know i havent had the best GPA, but I am pulling it up. I have a lot of work experience and in the classes that matter I have made great grades. I do not how to state this in my personal statement what should i do?

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AdmissionsConsultants
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[hmacneill]

I’m sorry to hear that your experience in college, so far, has not been positive. It is true that grades are a very important part of the application and some schools may immediately dismiss an applicant if only presented with that portion of the applicant’s background. The good news is that there are many aspects to an application. The best way for an admissions committee to learn more about your background and potential is through the letters of recommendation and the personal statement. These are both useful in showing an applicant’s competitiveness in spite of their grades or test scores. Taking more classes will never improve your GPA but it may be a good way to prove your academic competence especially if the classes are taken in subjects relevant to the graduate program you are applying to. (Like the school you spoke to stated, this alone will not help you get admitted.) Lastly, you can also compose an addendum or cover letter, explaining your first experience with college and point out the areas that you have succeeded and improved. These kinds of letters, can sometimes do harm instead of good, so it is important that they are crafted carefully. Most schools will look at all aspects of an application and not base there decision on just one element. This does mean a lot more work for the applicant that does not have competitive grades, but it is not impossible. Best of luck to you.

Heather MacNeill

AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885

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Originally posted by girlwithambition

I graduated from H.S. as an honor student in 1993 with a 1200 SAT score (achieved while I was sick with mono, no less). I went to the University of Texas at Austin and the first year was so hard…I made As on tests and quizzes but ended up getting Bs and Cs in those classes. When I spoke to the professors after my grades came out, they explained that letter grades at my university were given out on a quota system and that they had already given out all the As by the time they got to me, and that in addition to having letter grade quotas, they also graded on a curve.

At the age of 18, I thought this was so ridiculous and unfair that I got depressed and stopped trying, and pulled nothing but Cs and some Ds for the rest of my undergraduate career, except for the second semester of my junior year, when I had a nervous breakdown and got a couple of Fs. I had what can only be described as a horrific childhood, and it caught up with me at the age of 20. I managed to graduate on time, though, in 1997…still convinced that I was stupid.

Since then, I’ve been working in the I.T. industry and living abroad. I speak four languages and have been promoted with top speed in my chosen field. Mentally, I’m fine and I handle a great deal of stress. It took a lot of therapy to get over what happened to me, but I’m fine now. It took a long time for me to realize that I’m not actually stupid, and to discover what really turns me on.

I’ve spoken to some schools since and was advised to not even bother. I was absolutely devastated. I asked if I could take some post-baccalaureate classes to demonstrate my academic abilities and dedication, but I was told that that wouldn’t make a difference, since applicants with good grades and without a history of academic difficulties would be admitted over me.

I feel like I can’t do anything; like I’m stuck forever where I am because nobody will give me a second chance. What can I do? [V]

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AdmissionsConsultants
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[hmacneill]

Hello and thank you for your questions. Grades are certainly an important part of any committee review. When an applicant comes in with a low GPA the admissions committee will often look at the applicant’s recent coursework to see if there is improvement. So, the latter half of your academic history will make things better for you. They will also look to your GRE to make sure your scores are within their competitive range. It is not uncommon to attach an addendum or cover letter to your application materials to explain a discrepancy in your academics. This should be done carefully, however, and putting too much detail can hurt you. You are better off focusing on how you changed from the experience. Keep in mind that grades and test scores are only part of a competitive application. Strong letters of recommendation and a powerful personal statement can make your application. These two aspects to the application will help identify your unique qualities and competitiveness for the program in areas that grades and GRE do not. Applying to PhD programs can be a very personal decision process. Many times, a programs’ match to your study and research interests becomes just as important as the schools’ ranking. I recommend that you identify the schools that are the best match for you and within those pick a few “top schools” along with several safety schools. Best of luck to you.

Heather MacNeill

AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885

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Originally posted by katie44

Hi there,

I’m planning to apply to sociology Ph.D programs, and I was wondering if you could help me figure out the range of schools where it would be realistic for me to apply…

My GRE scores were 720/verbal, 690/quant, and 6/6 for analytical writing. My major problem is that I graduated with a 2.8 GPA.

I had a very serious illness during my first three years of college, which was successfully treated before my final year. My GPA for my last 30 credits was 4.0. Would this make any difference to an admissions committee looking at a transcript spotted with Cs, Ds, and Fs?

If you could, please let me know the range of schools (top 25, top 50, etc.) where I would have a chance of acceptance. I feel a little lost here.

Thanks,
Katie

P.S. Should I address my illness in my application? If so, where/in which part of the application should I do so? Also, how much detail is necessary? (I would rather go into less detail than more.)

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AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885

[hmacneill]

Hello and thank you for your questions. Admissions committees will look at several things when reviewing applications. Many will start by making sure the applicant has a competitive GPA and standardized test score. Certainly, if there is any part of these that cause concern to the committee they will look to other areas of the application for further explanation. Keep in mind that equally important to the committee is the applicant’s letters of recommendation and supporting essays. They will look to these aspects of the application to help personalize the application and identify unique and competitive aspects to the applicant. In your case, they will likely be looking closely at your major GPA and quantitative GRE scores. They will look at your transcripts to make sure that the verbal GRE score is not part of a pattern and your English/Writing grades should ease any concerns. I think your 3.65 GPA can certainly be competitive assuming the other areas of your application are competitive as well. Best of luck to you.

Heather MacNeill

AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885

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Originally posted by grw

I have read that grad schools typically don’t post average gpas, but that the top ones are looking for gpas well over 3.5. I also have seen gre scores for the different schools, but these numbers often are very aggregated, and I don’t know how they weight the different components. What do you think would be the chances of admission to a top biomedical/genetic/computational engineering program (eg Berkeley, MIT etc) of a an Ivy league engineering school biomed major undergrad with a 3.65 gpa, a gre quant score of 800 but only a 530 verbal, and lab work in the area the past three years for both university professors and Sloan Kettering (with excellent recommendations)? Is the gpa too low for top programs? Will the verbal score be a significant problem (grades in humanities courses at the university were nearly all A’s and A-s)? Thanks

grw

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AdmissionsConsultants
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[hmacneill]

Hello and thank you for your questions. You are certainly in a tough spot, trying to convince an admissions committee to look past your GPA. There are several things you can do to help persuade a committee to choose you for their program. I think taking courses is a good way to show some current grades and course work and as long as you do well and take the right kinds of classes. It won’t, of course, change your GPA but could show recent academic success. Taking courses in economics and other international studies related courses will help show your continued commitment and motivation. I agree with your continued language courses, a 2nd language is highly valued. Since you do not currently work in a related field, it might be worth while to pursue some volunteer opportunities to help you build your resume. This will also show your motivation. Finally, the best way get past a low GPA in your application is to be able to communicate to the admissions committee your understanding of the field and prove to them that you are a qualified and unique applicant for their program. This is best done through your personal statement, and can be a very powerful component to your application. Best of luck to you.

Heather MacNeill

AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885

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Originally posted by aspen17

Hi,

I am a “first-timer”-hope I am posting this correctly…

I am trying to get into grad school to study international affairs. My undergrad degree is in Political Science from the Univ of Colorado. Although my performance in high school was stellar, I graduated from college with a GPA of 2.3 due mostly to maturity and socialization issues.

I applied to grad school recently complete with an essay regarding my academic problems as an undergrad and my passion for furthering my education and “doing it right” this time. My GRE scores were 610 quantitative, 640 verbal, and I received a score of 5 (out of 6) on the writing assessment. I have no doubts about my abilities, but apparently was not able to convince admissions of the same. I was denied admission, and am not sure how to proceed from here.

I have also taken 2 quarters of Arabic at the local college, and am continuing those studies. The most recent quarter I chose to take “for credit”, and earned an A (undergrad level class). I will continue probably at least 2-3 more quarters of study in this field (for credit).

I know the more credits I can earn help my chances of getting into grad school, but what can I do beyond this to enhance my admissions packet?

I should add that I had excellent recommendations, but none were from professors or people in this field, as I have been out of school about 5 years and do not work in the field I am attempting to study. (In fact, I am seeking this degree, in part, to help gain employment in the field.)

I do not want to give up, and am willing to do any extra leg-work to get in, but am unsure which activities would most benefit my application packet.

Any advice is welcome! Thanks in advance.

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AdmissionsConsultants
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[hmacneill]

Hi and thanks for posting. This question should be posted on the MBA/ask Admissions Consultants thread. Please repost there and an MBA consultant will help you.

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Originally posted by oldy31

Hi,
I want to pursue a one-year MBA programme in a good business school. Could you pls suggest which schools I should apply? I was planning to apply to:
Schulich – York
Rotman – Toronto
SBS – Oxford
JIMS – Cambridge
RSM – Rotterdam

How are my chances in these schools?

Here is my profile:
Age: 31
Work Ex (Software Development + Consultancy) : 9 years
Nationality: Indian
GPA: 3.7
GMAT: 650 (Miserable!)

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AdmissionsConsultants
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[hmacneill]

Hello and thank you for your questions. Certainly, if you feel you could improve your GRE verbal scores by studying, then any improvement would be great. The math scores will not be as big of a concern for them in this program. In addition to the GRE and your GPA, the admissions committee will look at many other aspects of your application. Your letters of recommendation and a strong personal essay can make a distinct impression on the admissions committee. If these documents show that you are a unique and well qualified applicant they can make up a lot of ground where the GPA and test scores did not. The personal statement is your best way of making yourself standout and make your case. So, while the GRE is worth focusing on, don’t forget about the other aspects of the application. Best of luck to you.

Heather MacNeill

AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885
[

quote]Originally posted by nh116

Hello,
I’m trying to assess my chances for admission to Columbia’s English masters program. I graduated two years ago from Barnard with a 3.39 GPA (3.33 major GPA), was a double major with a 3.53 in my history major, and also held several prestigious magazine internships. I took the GREs without studying for them in late October and received a 660 Verbal (91%), 500 Math (26%) and 5.5 writing (86%).

The application is not due until April, although I believe it is rolling (and, of course, would rather get it in sooner than later). Should I retake the GREs? My math score will definitely not increase (I am a mathmatical dunce), though I do believe I could probably up my verbal, were I to study some more. Do I even have a chance with my GPA? Can a higher GRE score increase it, or is my score sufficient?

Any help would be appreciated!
[/quote]

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