getting a A or B+ bad in grad school?

[wizinstick]

I might get less than an A and deciding whether I should drop the class or not. Never had to but this semester was tough. Have 4 A's so far. This would be my first lousy grade in my 2nd semester in MPH.

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[c504]

I don't think jokes about ending one's life should be made on an online forum. Not only are they in bad taste, but you do not know what a person's situation is or what impact your words could have.

 

[SMUrandy]

Unless you were going to get a grade that was not passing, I would not drop. Others can correct me, but I believe graduate education is more about what you retain and what you produce, not necessarily having that perfect 4.0 GPA. Just keep working hard and see the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[nietzsche754]

There are a lot of people in my program that stress out about grades. The reality is that how much grades matter is something that depends entirely on your career goals. If an MPH is going to be your final degree then you only need the minimum GPA to graduate and even if you are going on to a PhD program a 3.5 or so should be more than sufficient. Public health relative to my other graduate field of study has very high acceptance rates at the PhD level (around 25% overall).

 

[mezmerized7]

I agree with the sentiment below. Don't drop the class because you might be getting a B+. That will not hurt your chances for further education and will DEFINITELY NOT hurt your chances for job prospects. Keep on going. When you feel you have not done your best, you go at it, try again, and try to do better! It will work out!👍

I don't think jokes about ending one's life should be made on an online forum. Not only are they in bad taste, but you do not know what a person's situation is or what impact your words could have.

 

[Stories]

There are a lot of people in my program that stress out about grades. The reality is that how much grades matter is something that depends entirely on your career goals. If an MPH is going to be your final degree then you only need the minimum GPA to graduate and even if you are going on to a PhD program a 3.5 or so should be more than sufficient. Public health relative to my other graduate field of study has very high acceptance rates at the PhD level (around 25% overall).

That's an optimistic accept rate, I think. Schools like Emory, Yale, and UNC are <10%, and I would imagine guys like Harvard and Hopkins are even more competitive.

Also, I found during my PhD application, one school pointed out I got a B in one of my epidemiology courses during my MPH as one reason for rejection. Of course, it's not the only reason for rejection, I would imagine, and I did get into other schools--so it wasn't a make or break kind of thing.

 

[mezmerized7]

You're right Stories, a B was pointed out to me as well during my PhD application process. But in line with what you said, I do not think it would be the sole determining factor for rejection.

That's an optimistic accept rate, I think. Schools like Emory, Yale, and UNC are <10%, and I would imagine guys like Harvard and Hopkins are even more competitive.

Also, I found during my PhD application, one school pointed out I got a B in one of my epidemiology courses during my MPH as one reason for rejection. Of course, it's not the only reason for rejection, I would imagine, and I did get into other schools--so it wasn't a make or break kind of thing.

 

[JMM051]

Stories and Mesmerized-

This may sound like an odd question but are we talking about a B or a B+ and do you think PhD committees view them differently? I have heard so many differing things about GPA's vs. research experience vs. fit, etc. and am worried about my applications next year thanks to a very terrible midterm (worst grade by far in grad school) that is threatening to drop my grade to a B+ unless I get an insane grade on the final. I don't know how worried I should be about this.

 

[mezmerized7]

JMM, don't worry too much, as worrying never really solves anything. If you get a B+, don't take this as the "end" of your PhD application process, which you haven't really started yet (I'm assuming). My advice is to get the best grades that you can. If you can get an "insane grade" on the final, then do so! If you get a B+ overall, that's ok too. Research experience, fit, grades, GRE scores all play a role - the extent of the role depends on the program and what that school is looking for. Just ensure that your application overall is A game, apply broadly, and you should be fine. Don't worry.😎 Be happy!😀

Stories and Mesmerized-

This may sound like an odd question but are we talking about a B or a B+ and do you think PhD committees view them differently? I have heard so many differing things about GPA's vs. research experience vs. fit, etc. and am worried about my applications next year thanks to a very terrible midterm (worst grade by far in grad school) that is threatening to drop my grade to a B+ unless I get an insane grade on the final. I don't know how worried I should be about this.

 

[SMUrandy]

JMM, don't worry too much, as worrying never really solves anything. If you get a B+, don't take this as the "end" of your PhD application process, which you haven't really started yet (I'm assuming). My advice is to get the best grades that you can. If you can get an "insane grade" on the final, then do so! If you get a B+ overall, that's ok too. Research experience, fit, grades, GRE scores all play a role - the extent of the role depends on the program and what that school is looking for. Just ensure that your application overall is A game, apply broadly, and you should be fine. Don't worry.😎 Be happy!😀

I have to agree with Mezmerized. It probably not productive to consider the "what-ifs" of the PhD application process. I would say most programs take a holistic approach to looking at potential programs. As stated by everyone here, try your best! As well, the best thing I did last year when applying was to contact potential doctoral advisors at various institutions. Not only did it allow for some great conversations with them at conferences, but showed my interest and gave a preview to if we would be a "match". If you can afford it, I would highly recommend scheduling visits to all of your top programs.

In summary, try your best on your final exam. At least then you know you did everything you could do!😀

 

[Stories]

JMM, don't worry too much, as worrying never really solves anything. If you get a B+, don't take this as the "end" of your PhD application process, which you haven't really started yet (I'm assuming). My advice is to get the best grades that you can. If you can get an "insane grade" on the final, then do so! If you get a B+ overall, that's ok too. Research experience, fit, grades, GRE scores all play a role - the extent of the role depends on the program and what that school is looking for. Just ensure that your application overall is A game, apply broadly, and you should be fine. Don't worry.😎 Be happy!😀

This. 🙂

As we both said, a B+/B/whatever isn't a make it or break it kind of thing. It doesn't help, but I highly doubt it would the be the only basis for rejection. Fit and clear purpose are the most important aspects of your application.

 

[HAV000]

I would think that when the GPA is calculated after 2 full-time years of classes, a single B or B+ won't alter the gpa much or even stand out considerably.