WAMC - Lower GPA, I believe extensive experience?

[spauldingrubble]

Hi! I am a first time non-trad applicant this cycle and was hoping to get some feedback on my stats and advice on my best options. I graduated in 2022 as a double major. I have a BS in Biology and an AS in Veterinary Technology.

cGPA: 3.37
Science GPA: 3.18
Last 45: ??? (I have not yet attempted to calculate this on my own)

I have been a licensed veterinary technician full-time for the past 2.5 years, I was a veterinary assistant for 2 years prior to that, and I have extensive experience hours. Thousands with small animals and varying numbers in the 100-300 range with horses, dairy and beef cattle, goats/sheep/camelids, exotics, and poultry. I also work as a barn hand at a horse stable and have been trained previously as a pet groomer. I volunteered a lot in high school (had to pause this during undergrad due to my course load and working part-time simultaneously) and have several hobbies/extracurriculars. I have a list of people ready to give me strong LORs.

My GPA I fear is the main thing holding me back. I had familial responsibilities that affected my ability to make school my main focus during undergrad (planning to elaborate on these in the personal statement section), and some of my grades reflect that. I still made the Dean's List several times over and was on an Honors scholarship throughout, but I am worried that schools will just see my GPA and reject me immediately. I have done research and made a list of what I believe are my best options to apply to based on my academic standing (Virginia-Maryland, LMU, ASU, Rowan, UPEI), but I thought getting some outside feedback on my stats would be helpful.

Thank you all in advance!!

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[BunnyFluffy]

Hi! First, I think it'll be helpful for you to get that last 45 GPA, it does help give a bigger picture of your academic record to admissions. You can calculate the last 45 GPA by taking the last 45 credits in your academic career, adding up your GPA from each of those classes, and dividing them by the total credit hours. Some schools look at the last 45 GPAs to see an upward trend in grades on an applicant, it's a way to see if you just struggled in freshman classes vs later, more advanced upper-level classes.

However, I also comment because your cGPA and Science GPA are just a little under mine (or over depending on the school), and I got accepted on my second try (though, the first time I applied I only did to my instate). So, I think if you apply smart and focus on schools with a lower average GPA acceptance, you have a shot. You might also want to consider some international/Caribbean schools, as they are known for having more accepted students with lower GPAs. I will say though, if your last 45 GPA is also on the lower side, I would recommend focusing on retaking the classes you struggled in, to at least boost that portion of your GPA if not also your cGPA and sciGPA.

That being said, it sounds like you have hours and experience on your side, along with quite a bit of diversity. If you want more specific comments, you might want to also follow the template in the forum, it includes specific details for more detailed critiquing if needed.

Best of luck, friend!