Most grad school applications are due in December. Let’s hearken back to some high school terminology and discuss reach schools, shall we? I kind of kicked booty in high school (Varsha even more so! Hi, Varsh!), the state of California kind of liked me, and I kind of knew that I’d get into college. I didn’t really know my “range,” didn’t have any expectations of where I would get in, and therefore didn’t set any “reach schools.” Well, I certainly have not kicked booty in college and now have the sense that all schools are reach schools for me.
Of all the criteria that grad schools are said to be looking for (statement of purpose, GPA, letters of recommendation, GRE scores), I’m most worried about my grade-point average. My spirits lifted temporarily when I was told that schools would look more at my research experience (hurray for Peggy!) and letters (again, hurray for Peggy!), and I was particularly excited at the response I got when I started emailing professors at different schools, asking about the programs. Well, this morning, I spoke with a professor at MIT, and he was very nice and helpful, but when I mentioned my GPA (and the actual, low, LOW number), he said, “Er, well, I strongly encourage you to apply to multiple programs if you’d really like to study at MIT.” He had been encouraging me to apply to multiple programs anyway, so that’s not completely discouraging, but I’m once again feeling as though I won’t get into grad school.
I’m left feeling like all schools are reach schools. We’re about to see just how long my arm is.
Jen in MI said,
October 22, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Okay… two things about that. There may be some intermediary step where you can pull that GPA up again. For example, I got my first MA at a very non-reach school, but it was still good for what I wanted to do as an intermediary step. Then I got a fab GPA there, and when I wanted to apply to doctoral programs I got in to my “reach” schools with no problem.
Secondly, I do think, at the grad level, that good experience in your field counts, and other good points (high GRE, GMAT, etc.) recs., etc. really help.
If all else fails, do some research for a year or two in an appropriate lab and take a class or two and rock it.
Going directly to grad school from undergrad can be overrated anyway, IMHO.
Good luck!
thisblogisyourblog said,
October 22, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Thanks, Jen! The professor in charge of my lab has encouraged me to look at Masters’ programs, too. I’m definitely keeping my options open
Lilacspecs said,
October 22, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Hello! I’d love to give you advice for grad schools but I haven’t had problems with any of the ones I got into. My GPA was a 3.2 I think from undergrad. And thanks for dropping in. I love this template by the way!
thisblogisyourblog said,
October 24, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Everyone is so nice. The end.
Jenna Consolo said,
October 30, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Don’t lose faith! Press forward!