a chance to get in with low GPA?

[shin]

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hello! i'm new here. basically at a crossroad in life whether my chances are realistic in getting into any graduate program.

i was at first a bio major, but did absolutely awful in all my science classes. i transfered from out-of-state to local and tried to take the science classes over again, and still did not do too well.

i switched to psychology major in sophmore year.
my cum gpa is 2.62
my psych gpa is 3.05

i haven't taken the GREs yet (and a little worried my score will be low)

i did one internship (1yr) with a psych professor and i have his ok on a recommendation.

now i have a BA in Psych (2007) and am currently working as a clinical research screening specialist for NIH.
i have been working for little less than a year.

i would like to get my master's before continuing on, but afraid that just research experience won't be enough.
i've searched for post-bach programs, but not finding too much in my area.
how long should i wait before trying to apply for grad schools? should i try taking couple grad classes while working? are my chances getting into a master's program realistic?

thanks very much!

 

[myelin]

what kind of program are you looking at (clinical, experimental, etc)?

personally, i think your chances would be good in a MA program. you'll need strong letters of recommendation. also, play up your research experience. apply now if you can. you can do it.

 

[Ex1844]

I got into an MA program with a cum gpa of 2.98 and a psychology gpa of 3.0. Though, I had a significant amount of research experience, and I also volunteered at a Child Study Center and at a psychiatric hospital. So yeah, do as much as you can to offset your low GPA.

 

[somemom]

I know a student with a similar situation- started bio, GPA 2.5-3.0 range, added psych, 3.0-3.25 range, GRE met that 1200 minimum, not sure how much above it.

She did research with a prof to see what she thought about it, did she really want to do it? She was encouraged by that prof to apply for a MA, she was admitted, on probation. She still got partial funding with an RA and worked up to a TAship, with tuition remission and is now applying for PhDs.

We shall see if the MA GPA and strong LORs as well as tons of research makes up for the UG GPA!

Go for it, but your best bet if you are week is to become known by a research prof who can recommend you

 

[WannaBeDrMe]

NIH positions are pretty competitive, no? Even for a screening position?

So, obviously, you have something going for you... maybe you are selling yourself short in your attempts to be realistic.

The fact is, in psychology, we bash ourselves if we fall below a 3.5... that's as good as trash to most of us. Truth, 2.0 is still average... so a 3.0 (or there about) is still above average.

I didn't realize how silly I'd gotten with it until my friends started applying to law school. They were explaining how Duke only took 50% of its applicants... and I didn't understand why they were so scared. 50% of applicants with a mean GPA far lower than my own seemed like a cakewalk compared to the geniuses I was facing as competition.

The others are right... if this is the path you've chosen, start with an MA program. Real experience can overcome poor academic performance within reason... I know a lot of my academic heroes don't even like grades... they like effort... and they reward effort with a grade.

Good luck to you!! Keep us posted please.

 

[psychgirl86]

I am in the exact same boat as you

my gpa is a 2.65 because i used to be a biology major.

i have tons of clinical experience (three internships and two volunteering)
and Research experience along with a lot of extracurriculars.

i also think i have decent recs and personal statement.

what programs did you apply to? did you hear back from any? I currently am waiting to hear back from Argosy M.A. clinical psychology

 

[23542]

I'm glad I'm not alone. I graduated with a 2.92 GPA in psychology. I'm hoping to apply to graduate school in education. My GRE scores are poor, but I'm hoping to improve my scores by retaking it in Fall. I will have roughly three years of research experience by the time I apply.

In addition to this, I am certain that I can gain positive letters of recommendation and submitt a strong personal statement.

Do you think it will be eaiser to gain admiision for the 2011-2012 academic year or should I wait another year to apply?

 

[timmyb80]

NIH positions are pretty competitive, no? Even for a screening position?

So, obviously, you have something going for you... maybe you are selling yourself short in your attempts to be realistic.

The fact is, in psychology, we bash ourselves if we fall below a 3.5... that's as good as trash to most of us. Truth, 2.0 is still average... so a 3.0 (or there about) is still above average.

I didn't realize how silly I'd gotten with it until my friends started applying to law school. They were explaining how Duke only took 50% of its applicants... and I didn't understand why they were so scared. 50% of applicants with a mean GPA far lower than my own seemed like a cakewalk compared to the geniuses I was facing as competition.

The others are right... if this is the path you've chosen, start with an MA program. Real experience can overcome poor academic performance within reason... I know a lot of my academic heroes don't even like grades... they like effort... and they reward effort with a grade.

Good luck to you!! Keep us posted please.

Ummm.... I realize that there is something to be said for being nice... but really?! "We bash ourselves if we fall below a 3.5"... I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but an undergrad degree in psych isn't exactly the most challenging! Just sayin 😉
"2.0 is still average". I doubt that. It's not like the supposed IQ test, in which the mean is always 100, despite the fact that we are (as a species), getting "more intelligent" over time. The scale for grading doesn't adjust so that a "C" is average. As far as I know, a "C" might pass, but it's hardly the average, unless we are including drop/fail-outs. A 3.0 is hardly average to applicants fighting for what few spots there are! I also think its funny comparing your competition, as geniuses, whereas your friends for law school were more of a cake-walk. Your whole post caught me as highly entertaining!
It's a pain getting in, as we all know, and I wish this person the best of luck, and I think experience can always offshoot one shortcoming (ie GPA) as well as a good personal statement helps explain... but anyways...