Low GPA question...

[blueberry]

>>

We should start a new thread asking who got denied admission to grad programs- i have yet to read a post since I came on about anyone not getting into a grad program.

Um, hi. I applied to 4 grad schools, and so far heard flat out no's from 3. Dunno why I'm sharing, cuz I DON'T wanna talk about it...

[Griffin]

I am in a similar situation, where moving to TESC will bring up my grade.

One thing that will help me is retaking courses that I did very poorly on. If you can test out of courses that you've previously taken for a grade, that could help because TESC doesn't count Pass/Fail exams towards your GPA. So, while you might have gotten a C/D/F on a class, you can effectively remove it from your bachelor's record as a duplicate. Most schools have some form of "Grade Forgiveness," and it's worth it to investigate the policies at both TESC and EC.

You can also complete a post-bacc program, a grad certificate or get into a more open master's program. Even just a couple of Graduate credits would make you a more competitive candidate. The key is that with grad classes that you get very good grades. As and Bs ONLY if you want it to increase your chances of getting in. At TESC, you can take up to 9 credits of Grad work as part of the undergrad degree.

Also, if your last 60 credits were all exams, taking a very tiny class (artistic, small math, or yoga etc) and getting an A in it will help a bit. But it's a little sneaky. "What's my GPA for the last 60 credits? 4.0 -- because I only had one GPA-eligible class!" You can also point out that some/most of your classes are not GPA-eligible as you've challenged the courses via exams.

I get not being motivated to take on additional coursework, but that IS something that you have to consider.

[cookderosa]

Um, hi. I applied to 4 grad schools, and so far heard flat out no's from 3. Dunno why I'm sharing, cuz I DON'T wanna talk about it...

>>


Thanks for speaking out. I hadn't heard anyone willing to share their bad news. If you are willing to say any more, would you mind saying which schools and a little bit about your application? For example- your GPA, where your bachelor was from, etc.? If not, that's totally understandable. Also, where did you apply and to which program?

[cookderosa]

[QUOTE=Griffin]I am in a similar situation, where moving to TESC will bring up my grade.

One thing that will help me is retaking courses that I did very poorly on. If you can test out of courses that you've previously taken for a grade, that could help because TESC doesn't count Pass/Fail exams towards your GPA. So, while you might have gotten a C/D/F on a class, you can effectively remove it from your bachelor's record as a duplicate. Most schools have some form of "Grade Forgiveness," and it's worth it to investigate the policies at both TESC and EC.
.....
Also, if your last 60 credits were all exams, taking a very tiny class (artistic, small math, or yoga etc) and getting an A in it will help a bit. But it's a little sneaky. "What's my GPA for the last 60 credits? 4.0 -- because I only had one GPA-eligible class!"


One thing worth pointing out, is that if TESC has ANY GRADES from your previous institution on a transcript- 100% of the time your grad school will require original transcripts from that school, meaning your buried grades will be there. Really, there is no way to hide bad grades unless you just walk away.

If you had 12 credits from college 1: 1ea A and the rest D's
If you want to bring in that A and replace the D's, you have to do it at college 1. When college 1 overwrites the grade, it is generally wiped away clean. BUT, if you go onto college 2 and transfer in your transcript- thinking you can keep the A and CLEP to cover the D's, your grad school will request an original transcript for that A grade- thus exposing all of your old D's. In this example, if you transfer NOTHING then they are not part of a degree, and won't be requested on your application.

This is important to think about if you are using a lot of pass/fail exams because they don't swing your GPA.

[perrik]

One thing worth pointing out, is that if TESC has ANY GRADES from your previous institution on a transcript- 100% of the time your grad school will require original transcripts from that school, meaning your buried grades will be there. Really, there is no way to hide bad grades unless you just walk away.

If you had 12 credits from college 1: 1ea A and the rest D's
If you want to bring in that A and replace the D's, you have to do it at college 1. When college 1 overwrites the grade, it is generally wiped away clean. BUT, if you go onto college 2 and transfer in your transcript- thinking you can keep the A and CLEP to cover the D's, your grad school will request an original transcript for that A grade- thus exposing all of your old D's. In this example, if you transfer NOTHING then they are not part of a degree, and won't be requested on your application.

This is important to think about if you are using a lot of pass/fail exams because they don't swing your GPA.

And I really wish I had known that before! I might have started fresh at one of the Big 3 without using any prior credit. Oh well. At least I got that D at an Ivy League school.

Any grad school that says they'll accept a 3.0 for the last 60 credits seems likely to be forgiving of ancient rotten grades. They remember what freshman year was like!

FYI, Capella only requires a 2.30 GPA for a lot of its masters programs, and WGU doesn't have any GPA requirement. Oddly enough, I think Capella does not require transcripts from every post-high-school institution - just the degree-granting one plus any attended post-bachelors. As degree completion programs become more popular among adults, it would be handy if more grad programs would switch to that requirement. As it is, I'll have to submit SEVEN transcripts for each grad program. Yikes!

[Ruddigore]

Any grad school that says they'll accept a 3.0 for the last 60 credits seems likely to be forgiving of ancient rotten grades. They remember what freshman year was like!

Isn't that when you get good grades because the courses were easy? (Or you CLEP-ed out of them. )

[blueberry]

>>


Thanks for speaking out. I hadn't heard anyone willing to share their bad news. If you are willing to say any more, would you mind saying which schools and a little bit about your application? For example- your GPA, where your bachelor was from, etc.? If not, that's totally understandable. Also, where did you apply and to which program?

well, I'll just share as much as I feel comfortable right now...

So my GPA is a beautiful 3.825. I am registered in a B&M, but most of my credits were non-conventional ones (e.g. prior learning, cleps, etc..). So my GPA is comprised of only about 3 semesters of classes. My bachelor is almost complete, will be after summer semester. I'm only 19 years old, so maybe that was a factor in their decision making. I dunno. I wrote one heck of an essay with my application, if I may say so myself. It had everything in it-- my passion for my chosen feild, my experience in it, my drive to succeed, you name it, it was there. And it was all true. Someone mentioned that it's possible that my letters of rec weren't strong enough. I needed three, and I know for sure that at least two of them were. The third one, well, it's possible that it wasn't strong enough.

I don't feel comfortable sharing the schools I applied to or what I applied for. Sorry. But what I will share is that I applied to state schools and private universities. I knew going into it that it was a competitive field, and that there was a chance I wouldn't get in. But I guess I really didn't expect it, thats all...
Sorry for rambling.

[skyfall123]

Someone mentioned that it's possible that my letters of rec weren't strong enough. I needed three, and I know for sure that at least two of them were. The third one, well, it's possible that it wasn't strong enough.

Consider volunteering for a local non-profit organization over the summer, that in some way is related to your career goals. It will help round out your credentials, and if you do well, it could lead to a solid recommendation.

[blueberry]

Consider volunteering for a local non-profit organization over the summer, that in some way is related to your career goals. It will help round out your credentials, and if you do well, it could lead to a solid recommendation.

I already DO volunteer. PLENTY!!! The feild I want to go into is an allied health type of thing, and I volunteer for an organization that helps families with sick children. I got a lot of hands on experience working with sick kids, or kids with sick parents. I love doing what I do. It is a big part of who I am. The graduate schools just don't get it, I guess. Sigh.
For now, my plan is to get a paying job within the field, and re-apply next year. I guess the only thing I'm losing is time.

[skyfall123]

I already DO volunteer. PLENTY!!!

Bless your heart!!!

For now, my plan is to get a paying job within the field, and re-apply next year. I guess the only thing I'm losing is time.

You lose time, but you gain experience and a competitive advantage over the other candidates.