Recovering from a Low Undergrad GPA

I currently have a low GPA from undergrad. (3.02) The program i would like to apply to requires a 3.0 but with their recalculations from their central application, I have a 2.81. Has anyone even recovered from a low undergrad GPA (specifically in the sciences but any help would be accepted) and if so, how (post bac classes, masters, retaking undergrad course, etc.)?

Hello, tealBumblebee. Taking sufficient credits and doing well might be an option to get the 3.0 the program requires.

I wish you well.

Hey there, could you please break down what you mean a little more. I didn't fully understand. And thank you. ((Glok))

Some schools you can:

1. take more credits/courses with getting better grades in them to increase your GPA; and/or
2. retake the course(s) you took previously and get a better grade(s) to improve your GPA, (the old grade and the new grade will either get averaged together or replaced with the previous one depending on the policy), (however some schools do not allow you retake courses at all);

it depends on the school's policy and which method is allowed (one or both). Check with your registrar's office. However, it is very possible to improve your GPA. Wishing you well as you move forward, good luck!

Not all grad schools pay attention to your undergrad GPA, let you try grad school. I had a "good enough" GPA but my grad school was happy that I just had an undergrad degree. I would find an accredited grad school like that and take a basic course or two then apply where you want and "switch". Or, I would ask the program if they would take me on probation, point out that the lower grades were in "science" sorts of subject (I assume you do not want to apply to a science program :-) and that my program-related grades were much higher?

Lmbo, the program is actually science related, and the lower grades are actually in the sciences but otherwise, that was pretty encouraging. I have actually emailed one school to ask for a recalculation (because technically I do meet the 3.0 criteria; just not when you combine repeat courses and average out the grades (aka an f and an a make a c in the course). I like the probation idea and have used it before for a scholarship (and it was approved); wish I had thought of that sooner; thanks!

Hi tealBumblebee! I had almost the identical undergrad GPA as you, took my grad school pre-reqs at Community College with a 4.0 and got into the health-related grad school program of my dreams! So hang in there and don't give up!

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I have asked so many questions regarding this and i do have many possible answers.

All grad school cares about is this "can this student handle our program". Your GPA is just some stupid number that tells said grad school your work ethic and nothing more. Having a higher GPA is indeed the easiest way into grad school but its not the only there are other ways to get in.

1) Pay for non-degree graduate level courses at said grad school and show the professors their you indeed can handle their program by getting good grades. After you get good grades in several of their classes available talk to the guy in charge and apply.

2) Get a job where future positions require a graduate degree. Work hard in there and get into graduate school through work training programs.

3) Do some independant research and go to student conferences and present your research. You typically want to do research in something this graduate school currently does research in.

4) Get impressive letters of reccomendation.

5) get high scores on your "gmat?" Pretty sure thats the buisness one but you know what i mean.

All of these 5 things are legitamate ways to bolster your graduate school resume. You don't necessarily need a 3.0 even though they say you do.

OH yea, your GPA for grad school is major related only courses. THey don't care about anything else.

Yes do all of the above and your grade will rise back up to 3.0 or higher.
And if you don't mind getting accepted into programs that require only 2.8 or 2.9 GPA then you don't need to worry about getting up to 3.0 at all!