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Hey all,
I wanted to get some advice on my current situation. I'm currently a senior at 4-year university. I had not-so-great grades in my pre-reqs due to poor time management and study habits (two C-'s that I have had to retake), and so starting from last spring (junior year), I've been working on pulling my grades up and taking more upper division sciences to show an upward trend. I managed to get a A/A-'s with 1 B+ that semester and another A that summer. I took my DAT's and got 24AA/26TS/20PAT (18 in QR, 24 in RC)
That said, I just took my finals for the semester and I'm fairly sure that I will be getting a lot of B's this semester with minimal A-'s. Maybe even 1 B-. I'm really upset because I know I could have pushed myself harder, and I'm really worried that this completely destroyed the upward trend that I established for myself. As of now, I have a 3.26o/3.06sci/2.9bcp, which I could bring up to at least a 3.3xo/3,1x/3.0x if I do well next semester. I know that most threads regarding low gpa's on this forum have mentioned the importance of having a strong upward trend, but I couldn't find any that talked about a somewhat bumpy trend that's still upwards :\ I'd be essentially going, by semester 3.49 --> 2.91 --> 3.15--> 3.09 --> 2.55 --> 3.76 --> 3.2 (projected)
My question is - is enough? I originally wanted to apply after that semester, but now I'm worried that my stats won't be good enough. I have plenty of leadership experience, 300 service hours, lots of research and potentially 2 co-authorships, etc but I know my gpa is really pulling me down. I'm walking in my graduation ceremony in May, but I am planning on not officially finishing my degree until Fall 2013 (extra semester) so that I have more time to boost my undergrad gpa. I will be taking a class or two next summer as well.
Given that I am able to do well next semester, summer and fall, would it be more advisable to:
1) Apply June 2013, send in an academic update after Fall semester and hope for the best
2) Wait until June 2014 to apply
3) Finish degree June 2013, look for a postbacc or a master's
Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks for reading, and congrats to everyone that's gotten in so far this cycle!
You have good DAT scores. Apply to schools within your range next year. UoP likes to emphasize DAT more than GPA. But if you wanted a better chance at a school of your choice, I would do a Master's but you're fine either way. A Master's is certainly not necessary.