I am a junior at a tier 1 school, however my gpa is really low for me to apply to grad schools. I am strongly considering dropping out this semester and transfering to a tier 3 school where I know for certain I have a better chance to get my grades up(easier classes). I would ultimately graduate from there. So, I am asking is it worth it to trade DOWN undergrad schools so I can get my GPA up and go to a better grad school? Thanks!
2006-09-07 09:10:17 · 5 answers · asked by DN1503 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
Had poor Freshmen GPA due to lack of focus, strong Sophomore GPA when I focused. But, I need basicially straight A's to get into the grad. school I want.
2006-09-07 09:19:47 · update #1
Believe it or not, schools rarely take your previous institution into consideration unless it has a particular strength in the courses that you have taken. In otherwords, A 2.0 at Harvard is pretty much a 2.0 anywhere to most employers and institutions.
What matters most is your GPA.
2006-09-07 09:24:50 · answer #1 · answered by omarr215 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, your GPA is likely not too low to apply for grad schools. However, you said it best in your last sentence -- they are too low to get into the school of your dreams.
Any competitive grad school (and I am in one) looks at strength of program versus GPA. An A+ at Podunk U is not worth a B+ at Columbia. Further, admission committees look for growth -- weak grades as a freshman bolstered by strong grades as you focused, and even better ones in your major means a great deal. While you may not have the grades to get into the #1-5 schools in your field, you do still have the potential to get into a phenomenal tier 1 grad school. I would not trade down. Instead, stay and work hard -- they really do care from where you graduated. If you can hack a research school, you can hack the rigor of a research program.
2006-09-07 18:42:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I cannot improve upon the superb answer offered by "inspired by me," but I can add that while your cumulative GPA should meet minimum entrance requirements, it is your GPA in your specific field of study that will matter most to graduate admissions committees.
Bottom line: stay where you are. Work harder. If you cannot ultimately get into your dream grad school, then go to the next best one to which you CAN gain admission.
2006-09-07 21:39:15 · answer #3 · answered by X 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, not only do the schools you apply to for graduate work look at your GPA, they also look at your school. And, if you're having trouble with your undergrad work, doesn't that make you nervous about how you'll do with a graduate program?
2006-09-07 16:13:34 · answer #4 · answered by kimilou2001 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it might be,
but every one knows the schools...
besides, your transcripts from the good school will not be erased...
why dont you instead work hard and get good grades?
and why would you want to go to grad school if you are not into studying?
2006-09-07 16:12:24 · answer #5 · answered by locuaz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋