Will I get into graduate school?

Question

Okay, so I asked a question earlier about wanting to go to graduate school in CA, FL, or TX and blindly assumed that admissions for graduate school mirrored closely that of undergraduate admissions. Ok, now that I know I'm wrong, I am worried that I may NEVER get into grad school. I suppose it would be helpful to know exactly what I wanted to study in grad school, but even when I make that final decision, I feel as though I have already compromised too many options. I have not done particularly well during my undergraduate years...not terrible, just very average. I lost much of my focus and drive to do well in school for a number of reasons...partly because I haven't had a goal that I was passionate about pursuing. Although I have attended a prestigious northeastern liberal arts institution, I feel like my very averagetranscript simply won't get me in to any graduate programs. Will the GRE save me if I do well on it? I've heard not. Did I waste my undergraduate education?

Thanks for your answers. I guess one reason that I'm concerned about graduate school admissions is that I have taken such a wide variety of courses during my undergraduate years and not really focused on anything I'd like to pursue afterwards. I am a History major, but I know now that I do NOT want to pursue history. The thing is, I have no professors that I would feel comfortable asking for recommendations and don't have enough courses in any particular field to show academic promise/interest in a particular field. So where do I go from here? Do I go back to school and take some classes or get a job in my field of interest?

Answer 1

Graduate admissions hinges on:

Undergraduate GPA in the particular field of study (not cumulative GPA)
Letters of recommendation from professors in that particular field
GRE scores
Writing sample
Personal statement

Each of the above elements must reflect aptitude, preparation, and above all, passion for and dedication to a particular and specialized field of study.

This is why you must decide precisely what you want to study, and know WHY you want to study that particular thing before you can even measure your chances for admissions.

In short, a student cannot simply decide "to go to graduate school." A student must practically have no choice but to study "19th century new religious movements in America" or "feeding patterns during monarch butterfly migration to and through Texas," or "problems in the interpretation of recent archaeological excavations in Pompeii," or whatever the heck fascinates, motivates, and drives you.

The best advice I can give you is to find your passion. Only then will you be able to really think about graduate school.

Your undergraduate education was surely not a waste. Surely by now you've been exposed to a multiplicity of disciplines of study, and a number of scholarly methodologies. Surely you learned how to learn. Now, learn what you love. Then read mountains of books relating to that area. If you get sick of it quickly, then grad school is not for you. If you can't get enough.... then you know what to do.

Best wishes to you.

Answer 2

The other responses covered a lot of what I would otherwise have said about getting into grad school, but I'll add one other thing. You mentioned having lost your drive to do well in academics. Even if you figure out what you want to study in grad school, it may be in your best interest to take some time off to work/travel/etc. Since you will likely be spending at least 2 years (and maybe several more) doing nothing but studying one topic, if you go into a program already in an academic funk, you may be setting yourself up for a bad experience unless you absolutely love what you are doing. Taking a year or two off may help you get your focus back, and maybe help you figure out what you want to study should you still decide to pursue graduate studies.

Good luck!

Answer 3

First, no, you did not waste your undergrad years, because you didn't get stellar grades. If you did other things of interest and with some value then it would be harsh to say that you wasted those years.

Second, GRE scores do matter quite a bit. If you do really well on them then that should be helpful.

Third, if you went to a top lib arts college then your grades will be seen in that context.

Fourth, you can make up for some of this by getting a job that would be relevant for the type of graduate education that is of interest to you. Are you thinking PhD? Then I recommend finding a research position where you can prove yourself and then get recommendations from your superiors there. If you are interested in a professional degree then spend a couple of years working in that industry (some business or law firm, etc.). Then get recommendations from those folks.

It's too early to give up on all this! You do have options. Good luck!

Answer 4

i think of quite some faculties will look at your artwork experience certainly, as that's what maximum of PhD artwork is approximately. be certain you're making the attempt to talk for my area to the admissions boards on the universities to which you will save on with -- that often facilitates to place someone with a checklist. you may even touch specific professors with whom you may choose to do learn, and practice them how inspired you're. I had a 2.9 GPA as an undergrad and characteristic so far been prevalent into 3 graduate courses (ok, so I had some profession variations ;-). That being pronounced, the GPA replaced into from a ideal college, and that i'm a savant whilst it comprises standardized assessments, so i replaced into in the 99th percentile for the GREs.

Answer 5

if you just really want to go to grad school and put off getting a job, you certainly can do that. you might want to look into master's programs, which have later deadlines and lower GPA requirements. MA programs also are usually at night, so you could work during the day and possibly find a job that will pay a portion of your tuition. i have def been in your situation academically and there is a way around it. you just have to do your research and find the right schools that have decent names. of course, if you are really desperate, just go to any MA program, like coastal carolina, central florida, frostburg state, montclaire state, etc. i can name a ton of retard schools that would accept anyone that applies. dont worry, there are plenty of schools out there desperate for students like you. what you need to worry about is getting your ambition back otherwise you are just going to flunk out after your first semester. best of luck to you.

Answer 6

i had SO bad undergrad scores but I did well on GRE and had good recommendations cause I have done well in research, so I got an admission WITH complete fund. which means tuitions and stipend