What are my chances of getting into graduate schools with a mediocre GPA?

Question

I am a biochemistry major looking to get into a phD program in molecular or developmental biology. I have a 3.30 GPA from a 2nd tier school and my GRE scores are also mediocre.

However, I have 1.5yrs of full-time research work and 3 excellent letters of recommendation from people who I know think highly of my research capabilities.

I am also going to graduate on time, within the traditional 4yrs, even though I took a year off (got accepted to a year-long research fellowship) although I'm not sure if that helps any.

Also, none of the 3 references are my professors. Does that hurt my chances? Two are from scientist's who I've worked directly with and the third is my advisor who knowns me personally and is very well respected in the science community. All 3 are phDs and published.

Also, I am female and a US citizen (not minority, though). I'll also need funding.

Help?

Answer 1

You have several things going for you that other students do not (ie, research fellowship). Apply and see what happens. Also, talk with the professors in the department and ask them some questions. Show your interest in pursuing this degree. Best wishes.

Answer 2

I don't know how hard it is to get into grad school in your particular field, but in many fields, you would face some trouble. The mediocre GPA can be explained, but when combined with mediocre GRE scores, there is cause for concern. To be honest, I would read your qualifications as meaning that you are good at following directions when someone else is taking the lead, but probably not very creative. Your references have seen you in that capacity, whereas a professor would have seen you design, not just carry out, experiments.

What is interesting to me is that the one thing which might help you is the one thing you say you aren't sure would help - the research fellowship! Is one of your references the person with whom you worked on that? (S)he should be, unless you didn't perform terribly well on that.