Conditional admission to general/experimental master's

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gunito

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I've found quite a few masters programs in exp/gen psych that have lower admission standards and allow provisional admission. I had a 2.2 in undergrad due to laziness and apathy. Im about to start studying for the GRE and hopefully i can take some graduate classes in the spring, summer and next fall. I found on program in particular that has a formula where you have to meet two out of three statistics. My question is, assuming i get around a 1300 on the GRE, what would my chances be? I know there are peolple who are more qualified. But a professor from this school said that he prefers students with lower undergrad gpas and higher GREs as long as theyre sincere.
 
Thats a gonna be tough one. The GREs arent gonne mean much if you cant good letters. Who are your writers and what can they say about you? You will have to get somebody to speak about your academic performance and how its not representative of your abilities/potential etc. in order to offset the 2.2. Do you have anybody who can really speak to this. I mean, thats a C average. C in a grad school class is fail.
 
I realize that. Im planning on taking some grad level classes and doing some research as well so i can get some letters of rec. Im also trying to become a paid research assistant. I know if i can get good grades and show people how hard i can work theyll be shocked about my undergrad gpa. If i can get good letters then do i have a pretty good shot? I want it to be a stepping stone to a PhD, but im not sure if my 2.2 would influence that as well.
 
Most masters program in psych still have a 3.0 cut off, but its usually somewhat flexible and have heard of people getting in with 2.7s and 2.6s. Not sure about a 2.2 though. Is gonna be up to the individual program.
 
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Hrm...I do not know. It really depends on the Master's programs you apply to. There are exceptions to every rule, but you really have to show through your application that they should accept you and that you are capable of master's level work. It sounds like you have a good plan in place, and you just have to work from there. My suggestion would be to address your low GPA directly in your application (perhaps your statement), and explain why they should not automatically discount you because of your GPA.

Keep this in mind. As it becomes more and more difficult for people to get ino doctoral level programs directly from undergrad, more people are turning to master's programs (e.g., me). As such, master's programs are becoming more competitive as the good students who normally get into Ph.D. programs straight away are looking for other options. The master's program I attended was very competitive, and just as competitive as some Ph.D. programs. I would not automatically assume that master's programs have "lower standards". Some do, some don't.

Good luck!:luck:
 
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