mha chance? low gpa, good GRE, no fieldwork experience

[sudoku114]

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Hi everyone, I've been lurking in this forum for a while and decided to make an account so I can interact with fellow applicants/current students.

I have a low GPA of a 2.8 from molecular biology from my undergrad institution, but my GRE score is okay (math: 790 verbal: 700). However, there seems to be consensus that work experiences trump numbers, and that's problematic for me because I have mostly extracurriculars in outreach student organizations. (I had a part-time job working at a cafe for one year, but that's not fieldwork work experience)

I'm looking into applying for MHA programs but have a difficult time trying to formulate a school list because 1) many schools that I am interested in are adamant about having a GPA of at least a 3.0 and 2) my lack of healthcare work experience is a disadvantage.

Should I even bother applying to the top ten ranked schools? I've been combing through threads to search for other users with my stats, but it appears as though many people have at least some work experience and/or their GPAs are high but their GRE scores are low.

I would appreciate any input! Thanks. 🙂

 

[Stories]

You never know unless you try. See what happens.

 

[sudoku114]

would it still be okay for me to apply to schools that require a minimum of 3.0 GPA when my GPA is lower than that?

 

[Stories]

would it still be okay for me to apply to schools that require a minimum of 3.0 GPA when my GPA is lower than that?

Probably worth calling them to ask.

 

[mzblue]

I've seen people with 2.65 GPA who got into MPH program. Even when schools specify a cutoff GPA, they can always make considerations. Hopefully, you have some volunteering on your CV. Your GRE score is great by the way. do you mind me asking what you used to study aids you used?

 

[sudoku114]

Thanks, mzblue. I think I did well on the test because I didn't have any expectations going into the exam. I would avoid Barron's for the math section, because it's unnecessarily difficult and superfluous compared to the real thing. I used a Princeton Review book and found it to be very helpful. Download the free software on the ETS website- taking the practice exam using that program will give you an accurate assessment of what your real score will be like (I think mine was 1450 but my real score ended up being slightly higher)