Would a letter of recommendation from the President of the University I currently attend help? Also, I had to withdraw twice once for health reasons and once because of my grade in a math class. Will they take this into account when I apply? Could that hurt my chances?
2006-12-23 11:02:17 · 8 answers · asked by Laura L. 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
Even if I was going blind? I mean there is not a lot I could do to prevent my retina from detaching.
2006-12-23 11:14:15 · update #1
I do plan on retaking the course I did poorly in. I had already taken it once and did poorly. Tried to take it again in the Spring and did poorly again. So I had to withdraw or change my major which was out of the question. (I have a rather shoddy background in mathematics due to lack of interest and teachers in high school who did not have time to teach me because other students were too busy acting a fool.) I had to withdraw because of the requirements of the education department more or less. I have now met those requirements (a higher GPA) and will be retaking the course in the spring. It should replace the bad grade on my transcript.
2006-12-23 12:35:14 · update #2
I want to get my Master's in Library Science
2006-12-24 04:10:17 · update #3
Most graduate schools require at least a 3.0, but depending on the program and competitiveness, you should aim for at least a 3.4ish.
If you personally know the President of the University and have worked or studied with him/her, then go ahead. That could be a valuable reference. However, if you just know him/her in passing, then their generic letter will not add very much to your application. Make sure to get recommendation letters from people who know you well and can vouch for your personality and academic abilities.
When writing your personal statement, make sure to mention your reasons for withdrawing. You don't have to go into details, but just make sure they are aware of the reasons. You could also mention how even though you had this illness, you had the strength and determination to continue your studies.
As for you poor math performance, as long as you are not going into a field valuing mathematics, you could just mention that math is not your strong point. Plus, you could always try to retake the course and then if you succeed, that will look better on your transcript because it shows you care about your grades.
Good luck!
2006-12-24 03:56:54 · answer #1 · answered by smm_8514 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually at least a 3.0 is the general rule of thumb. Most schools and programs have that minimum requirement... however, many good programs have average entrance gpas below a 3.0 also (and obviously excellent programs usually matriculate students with gpas well above a 3.0). It really depends on what you are trying to go to grad school for (professional degrees MD, MBA, JD etc might want more ... or less depending on the degree and the school. Most schools and programs will provide their minimum requirements (if they have them) on their admissions websites and/or provide incoming student profiles.
As for your withdrawals, the health one should be fine, the math grade might be a problem unless you did the course again and did well or can somehow show that you won't crumble under the pressure of graduate work.
As for the presidential recommendation, go for it if the president knows you pretty well as a dedicated student, and knows/believes in your capabilities to succeed in grad school and will write you a glowing recommendation. If not, go with a professor or boss or someone else who will be able to comment about your ability to successfully complete graduate level courses and your maturity as a person, and give you the glowing recommendation that you'll want.
2006-12-23 12:41:55 · answer #2 · answered by Melissage 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would have helped if you mentioned the field you want to study -- and if you want a master's or a PhD.
Some fields are easier than others. If you are in a field like English or Math -- then large state universities need TAs and will admit a lot of students. Once there, the students have to prove themselves. A lot of large state universities have very good programs, and someone with a 3.3 or better could get into a top 20 program.
But other programs (like PhDs in Business) are harder. For example, Berkeley gets about 300 applications per year from people who want to get a PhD in finance. They only accept between four and nine. Here, haveing a 3.3 won't cut it. In fact, the year I was accepted eight of the nine students accepted already had a graduate degree -- including two who had a PhD in a different field.
2006-12-23 13:25:32 · answer #3 · answered by Ranto 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many graduate programs have a minumum GPA. The minimum is usually either 3.0 or 3.5.
A letter from the President of the University might be nice, but letters from your professors would carry more weight. Unless the president has had you in class, has graded your papers, and is personally aware of your academic abilities, his letter for you would not provide any necessary information.
You certainly should explain your withdrawals in your personal statement, but don't spend too much time on it, just describe your situation succinctly. Your medical withdrawal will not affect your chances for graduate admissions.
Withdrawing because of a grade is a bit more questionable, but unless you plan to do your graduate study in mathematics, it should not affect your chances for graduate school admission.
2006-12-23 11:53:57 · answer #4 · answered by X 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It partially depends on which school you are applying to. It's harder yo get into Yale than it is to get into Podunk U. Some schools (or a particluar program within a school) might be more lenient than others about GPA. Some schools might accept you on a probationary basis, and then you would have to prove that you can do the work. A letter from the president of your current school couldn't hurt. If the withdrawals you mention resulted in low grades it could count against you. If not, I doubt they would be considered. Good luck.
2006-12-23 11:25:34 · answer #5 · answered by Ace Librarian 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having a GPA over 3.5 places you in greater useful style than you think of: it may no longer get you into extreme grad faculties, yet you will have the skill to have some very reliable thoughts. in case you go with for to fortify your possibilities with greater desirable than your grades, look for learn and e-e book possibilities now (or internships, once you're greater vulnerable to bypass the engineering path), and carry remarkable family mutually along with your professors so as that they'd write you physically powerful thoughts. (you ought to even could take a seat down and get suggestion from a number of them.) Your GREs will additionally play a element, so on the comparable time you do no longer could stress approximately those in basic terms yet, shop your math skill sharp and look at all the English.
2016-10-18 22:27:38 · answer #6 · answered by woodworth 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is grad school a university/college? if so, it just depends on which you are applying for
2006-12-23 11:11:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Above 3.3
And yes those could hurt you chances
2006-12-23 11:10:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋