Low GPA question...

[CLEP101]

I am contemplating switching from EC to TESC based on the better evaluation, FEMA and fewer number of UL credits needed. My problem is that either way my GPA is lame (2.41 at EC, 2.0 at TESC). I feel I should just get the degree and if I decide on grad school later, I will mostly rely on my good lucks (ok, just being silly). Rely on resume, GRE, references, good essays, etc. I am not looking for a fancy program, however I want to continue to test out and do not want to take courses. I am honestly not interested and not motivated. I feel my BS is just cleaning up the wreckage of the past. Grad school will be a new beginning and I am a much different person now than I was when my GPA was garnered 25 years ago. If I take the BS, does that "lock" in my GPA for eternity (I think the answer is yes to that but I'm not sure).

Just wondered what the good folks here thought. Is there THAT much difference between a 2.0 and a 2.41? It's just as embarassing explaining either one to an admissions dept.

Also, any recommendations for inexpensive grad programs with lax admission standards (LOL).

Thanks and best to all.

TUI University Graduate Program

Admission Requirements
Students seeking admission to any Master’s Program at TUI University must provide a baccalaureate degree transcript from an accredited college or university in a related field, with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or better.

I got this from the school's 2008-2009 catalog.

If I were you, I'd stick with EC and bring your 2.41 GPA up to a 2.5 at least.

[Griffin]

Really, there is no way to hide bad grades unless you just walk away.

...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.

That's very true, but coursework (not at TESC/EC) transcripts could arguably be counted as less important than your degree GPA.

Also, in my case, I'm using the grade forgiveness policies at my current and previous schools. They all allow overwriting of D/F/W/V/I grades. So if I CLEP out of something, send the CLEP transcripts to TESC, send the TESC/CLEP transcripts to the schools, I have an effective overwriting situation. I've already checked with my current school and the transfer office thought it was a good plan (I had a bad semester and a mediocre semester). Supposedly they only accept general CLEP exams, so that is the only reason that TESC transcripts would come into it (got conflicting messages).

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.

Age is a huge one. I know a scientist who has never been able to get into a doctoral program, despite excellent grades and working as a professor. She's young, blonde, small, a woman and a mother. That stuff factors in more than most schools would like to admit. It's worth it to apply to more schools, as there are some people with a 4.0 psych undergrad who only got one doctoral acceptance out of twelve applications. For psych, 12 seems to be the magic number.

Frankly, if they don't want you for their grad program, it's their loss. You will make an excellent student for the right program!

[Griffin]

[double post]

[blueberry]

Age is a huge one. I know a scientist who has never been able to get into a doctoral program, despite excellent grades and working as a professor. She's young, blonde, small, a woman and a mother. That stuff factors in more than most schools would like to admit. It's worth it to apply to more schools, as there are some people with a 4.0 psych undergrad who only got one doctoral acceptance out of twelve applications. For psych, 12 seems to be the magic number.

Frankly, if they don't want you for their grad program, it's their loss. You will make an excellent student for the right program!

Thank you for your encouraging words. I know now that I should have applied to more than four. Frankly, I really thought I would get in. But I now also know that there were between 20-30 slots in each school, and about 250 applications. So as good a chance as I thought I had, I guess it wasn't good enough. I'm coming to terms with it slowly.

[cookderosa]

[QUOTE=blueberry]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. >>

Just curious- how many graded credits do you have, and were you applying for a PhD program or a master's program?

[Ruddigore]

I know now that I should have applied to more than four. Frankly, I really thought I would get in. But I now also know that there were between 20-30 slots in each school, and about 250 applications. So as good a chance as I thought I had, I guess it wasn't good enough. I'm coming to terms with it slowly.

You'll get in eventually! I have confidence in you. I mean, applying for a masters at age 19?!!? That isn't the norm at all. Maybe the schools you applied to are just a little disbelieving of your accomplishment!

Hope it all works out for you,
R.

[Griffin]

Thank you for your encouraging words. I know now that I should have applied to more than four. Frankly, I really thought I would get in. But I now also know that there were between 20-30 slots in each school, and about 250 applications. So as good a chance as I thought I had, I guess it wasn't good enough. I'm coming to terms with it slowly.

Hey, it happens. Find several programs that you like and apply to them all. Apps are way too expensive, but it's a necessary evil sometimes.

[NAP]

Hi Blueberry!

I have no doubt that this is very disappointing. I have read on the board that there are other ways to get into your program of choice. Have you considered starting at a different school and transferring later to your school of choice? (I know this happens to and works for traditional students, too.) Or starting at your school of choice as a non-degree seeking student (just start taking classes and reapply later)? I think there are some other options, too. I don't think you need to wait until next year.

Do not let this setback get in your way.

You should be SO proud of your current accomplishments!

[jaryu]

Thank you for your encouraging words. I know now that I should have applied to more than four. Frankly, I really thought I would get in. But I now also know that there were between 20-30 slots in each school, and about 250 applications. So as good a chance as I thought I had, I guess it wasn't good enough. I'm coming to terms with it slowly.

I guess from the spot/applicant ratio and the "health" direction, you're likely trying to go to med school right? Those are also generally some of the very few including law that almost always start only in the fall semester. So you only have 1 chance a year into them. If this is the path you are trying which science classes have you done, what were your MCAT and sGPA scores like?

[blueberry]

[QUOTE=blueberry]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. >>

Just curious- how many graded credits do you have, and were you applying for a PhD program or a master's program?

I will have 4 semesters of graded credits, so that's 16 classes. 4 credits each. I was applying for a masters...