How important is GPA in Ph.D. programs?

Answer 1

Grades matter, to the extent that they represent how your faculty members evaluate your work. You are more likely to earn a sterling letter of recommendation or receive an opportunity to join a research team if you earn As in your classes. But when faculty get the sense that you'll do *anything* to earn an A, you're more likely to earn their pity and annoyance than their respect.

Indeed, you might say that the GPA is the least important part of your doctoral experience.

Certainly a poor GPA (less than a 3.25, I would think) may lessen your chances to secure an academic job upon completing your program by painting a red flag upon your application. But a high or even "perfect" GPA is far less important than the following:

1. Demonstration of a strong research program that will result in publications and/or grants - one that has already shown results, preferably.

2. Ability to immediately meet the needs of your potential employer (eg., experience with classes, expertise with protocols).

3. Strong recommendations by respected professors who speak to your "fit" and collegiality.

I say this with some experience. I have served on university hiring committees, and I completed a doctorate in rhetoric and historiography in 1998. My grad school GPA (M.A. and Ph.D.) was 4.0, and let me tell you: I stressed about each A. Only later did I learn that I focused too much on pleasing my professors and not enough on developing relationships with colleagues.

My job search was successful, but I wish I'd spent a bit more time sipping wine and talking about life with my grad school buddies. The relationships you build there last a lifetime, long after you forget what grades you earned.

So do well, do very well. Don't settle for less when another 15 minutes will improve your work. But don't become obsessed over your GPA. The secret to grad school - particularly at the doctoral level - is granting yourself the confidence to no longer need the affirmation of authorities.

Then, you earn your degree - regardless of your grades.

Answer 2

It depends on the level of the program, of course. Some Ph.D. programs are extremely competitive, while others are easy, even if it's a good program.

Unlike college admissions, where numbers often mean too much, passion counts for a lot more. That means letters, experience, previous work, published papers, etc. Showing a strong interest is the most important.

That said...you have to remember that Ph.D. programs are all about academic work. The best measure of academic prowess is the GPA. It might be hard for a professor to work with a Ph.D. student knowing that their grades are horrible. Perhaps if the grades are good in the desired area of study, that might make a difference.

Answer 3

As long as your GPA remains above 3.0 you are generally fine once you are in a Ph.D program. The only exception to this is if you plan on doing a Post Doc or another phd. Now that said, if you are getting a job in academia (and many other fields). They will want to see your official transcript to see that you really do have a PHD from where you say it is from (lots of people are not honest). Now given this the search committee may look at your GPA and wonder why you only have a 3.0.

Answer 4

The best way to get into a PhD program is to find someone who is willing to be your mentor. That's where the experience, etc. come in. When they decide who to admit, having someone who is willing to be your mentor will go a long way toward getting you in and getting you funding.

Once you're in, you need to remember that the grading scale on the graduate level is different. C is a failing grade, so if you get one you will have to repeat the class to get credit for it and you need a 3.0 to graduate. While you will certainly graduate if you've got a 3.0, you will have a very hard time getting a job with that GPA. This is the other place where being passionate about your work is essential, because grad school is a grind and people who don't really want that degree won't finish, especially in PhD programs.

Answer 5

GPA is important to admission to PhD program, in that many programs have minimum GPAs for admission.

While in a PhD program, one's funding and status within the program are jeopardized if a grade below a B is earned. A grade of B is never good in graduate level work, and anything below a B is equivalent to a failing grade.

Answer 6

It has very little importance, actually.

Professors are far more interested in your work ethic so that you will be able to do things for them while you are in the program.

This is very difficult fact of life for most graduate students to swallow but it is true. You have to know how to play the game. There are all kinds of things you have to learn to ignore: other students who appear to be improperly prepared for grad school in your chosen major; favoritism of the professors for their own grad students in classes, etc. Just keep your eye on the end of the race, so to speak -- and always watch your back.

When you go for an interview with a professor or a committee (or in your letter of application) tell them bluntly what YOU are bringing to the program. Read up on the professors interests too.

Answer 7

Once you are in a PhD program, the GPA doesn't really matter. You get A's all the time 'cos a "B" in a good graduate program really means "F". So if they keep you, they give you all A's. Or else they just drop you from the program.

Answer 8

Well it depends what college you go to. For me here in Ireland I need a 2:1 minimum to get into a Ph.D. Thats about a 3.2-3.5 GPA. Hopefully Ill get it cause i finish my bachelors degree next year!
Ask the Professor in charge of your major subject and he/she will tell you.

Answer 9

My name is Lali Asali and I an a current PhD candidate at UWYO. My GPA is 4 , straight A`s which got me scholarships. Accompanied with research and hard work helps in reaching a successful career goal.
Lali

Answer 10

If in straightforward terms 5-10% of applicants are person-friendly, then a minimum of ninety% of the applicant pool is taking a large possibility in putting themselves forward. Your professor has a ingredient, regardless of the shown certainty that: the probability is extra suitable stacked against you than applicants with direct journey indoors the sector, extra suitable GPAs, and frankly, extra suitable sensible ranked undergraduate instructions. in case you have rather have been given your coronary heart set on it, this is mandatory to take some extra suitable instructions and upload some printed papers on your CV to make your self extra suitable aggressive - or maybe then, have some good backups in concepts. a minimum of, see in case you will locate supportive recommenders, and verify you have have been given a large very own assertion.