Getting In To Grad School

     An Applicant's Guide to Graduate School Admissions

Do I have a chance?

Submitted by Sunil Radharkrishnan on Mon, 2002-04-08 18:36.

This being my first year to actually stop talking about applying and actually do it, your website is the first I've read on this burgeoning process of grad. school application.

It was very enlightening to see thoughts and suggestions on thinking outside the "GSR", especially since I've been out of college since 1985 and my G portion of the GSR is well below gen. adm. requirements. My S component will likely be around the 50th percentile and the recommendations I have access to are not recent or directly related.

In reading your 6 sections online I was encouraged to hear there are many other ways to bolster your overall chances of admission and I will obviously need to focus heavily on those. Finally, the recommendation on the number of applications opened my eyes! I was only going to apply to my alma-mater and now will likely apply to 6 schools with 2 being safety apps.

I do have one question I would very much value your insight on and that is with a GSR of 2.5 [last 90 graded undergrad. hours]; S=50th or slightly higher percentile [unless I surprise myself-this est. based on 7 to 8 example GRE CATs]; R=Rec. Letters from sources that have not had recent contact with me), do you think I have a chance in hades at admission to a PhD program in Pharmacolog (undergrad. degree in Pharmacy at same school as my 1st choice)?

I realize you have little to go on but a general estimate would be appreciated, especially one that would focus me on ALL areas outside the GSR to maximize those portions of my applications.

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Your reasons for self-confidence

Glad you enjoyed the site and found it helpful. As for your particular issue, it is true that it's very difficult for me to make a determination about whether you have a chance of getting into graduate school. I think more than my untrained opinion, you'll really want to talk with your recommenders about this topic. I'd also recommend some conversations with one or two professors at the school you are interested in. The most important thing in any event is to go into these conversations and into your application packet with the understanding that you'll need to address the QUESTION of whether you're prepared for graduate school (in full recognition of your relative demerits) very directly and honestly.

The ultimate question is whether you can convince yourself that you can overcome the marks against any application you might write. Only if you can think and argue convincingly about why you still should be admitted will you be able to convince others. Of course, your self-confidence isn't enough, but it is the first step. From this inner evaluation, you will begin to consider ways in which you can get others to see you as you see yourself. You'll prove your intelligence, your curiosity, your ability to overcome obstacles, your subject knowledge, and your tenacity.

And if you can do that, hey, who wouldn't want you as a role-model student for their program?

Submitted by Dave Burrell on Wed, 2002-04-10 21:36.
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