Grad School Admission Advice for Low GPA MATH Major, UIUC Student

In summary: If that's the case, make sure you have a very good explanation in your statement of purpose.In summary, your GPA is on the very low end for most graduate schools and may be a significant barrier to admission. You may need to retake the GRE and aim for a higher score, and having a good score on the math subject test can also be helpful. Additionally, reaching out to professors for research experience can be beneficial, as long as you have some background knowledge and can articulate your interests well. Ultimately, it will be a combination of factors and the decision will vary by institution.
  • #1
hsong9
80
1
VERY low gpa (around 2.8)
GRE V590/Q740
MATH major
no research experience
one semester left
I am a student at university of illinois at urbana-champaign.

I know it is not easy to get admission for grad. school, but
I really want.
Actually, my major was CS and my CS gpa was under 2.0 for 3 semesters.
so I changed my major to MATH. my math GPA is about B-
(I took 8 math course and got B+/- except one course(C+))
If I don't like to study math, I will not go to the grad school, but I really like.

Question.
I have no idea where I can apply... Can I top 30? 50?
Do I need to retake GRE?
If I retake GRE and I got Q800 points, is it better than now?
I will take GRE math subject test. If my subject score will be good, is it helper? how?
Actually, I want to get research experience but I do not know how..
just I directly contact any professor?

Thank you.
 
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  • #2
You probably won't like my insight:

Most institutions that I know of have a minimum GPA (set by the graduate school... not the department of interest)... and that minimum GPA is, at lowest, usually a 3.0. In this case, even if a department decided to admit you (and the weighting of factors and influence of professor contacts varies by the institution... so I won't comment on that), they would need to petition the graduate school on your behalf, just based on your GPA. In my experience, these cases are rare... generally departmental cutoffs after end-ranking are well above the graduate school cutoff. In the department that I was involved with (a physics department), there was only one case we thought MIGHT come up (where the student had a low GPA, but from a VERY highly ranked undergraduate institution), but when our final ranking of applicants was compiled, this candidate did not make the cut, so petitioning did not become an issue.
 
  • #3
With respect to reseach experience, yes, you can contact professors directly, or you can check with your department or academic advisor to see if they have any formal programs for placing undergradutes in research positions. Generally, it's best if you do a little research before hand so that you can speak intelligently about the kind of work you might be expected to do.

Obviously the other issue is your GPA. As physics girl said, a 2.8 won't even make the minimum cut-off in most institutions, so you really need to try raising that as much as possible in the time you have left. Where there might be an exception is if your senior year marks are much higher and the low average is due to poor marks from a few years ago before you figured out you wanted to study a particular subject.
 

FAQ: Grad School Admission Advice for Low GPA MATH Major, UIUC Student

How can I improve my chances of getting into grad school with a low GPA as a math major at UIUC?

There are several ways to improve your chances of getting into grad school with a low GPA. One option is to retake any courses in which you received a low grade and aim for a higher score. You can also focus on getting strong letters of recommendation from professors who can speak to your academic abilities and potential for success in graduate school. Additionally, you can highlight any relevant research or extracurricular experiences that demonstrate your skills and dedication in the field of math.

Will graduate schools consider my overall GPA or just my GPA in math courses?

Graduate schools will typically consider both your overall GPA and your GPA in math courses. However, they may place more weight on your performance in math courses, especially if you are applying for a math-related program. It is important to try your best in all courses, but also focus on excelling in your math courses to improve your chances of admission.

Can I explain my low GPA in my application and how will it be received?

It is worth explaining your low GPA in your application, especially if there were extenuating circumstances that affected your academic performance. Be honest and provide a clear explanation without making excuses. Admissions committees understand that students may face challenges, and a well-written explanation can help them understand your situation and consider it in the context of your application.

Will having a low GPA automatically disqualify me from getting into a good graduate program?

No, having a low GPA does not automatically disqualify you from getting into a good graduate program. Admissions committees typically consider a variety of factors, including your overall academic record, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and relevant experiences. A low GPA may make it more challenging to get into a top program, but it is not impossible. Focus on highlighting your strengths and addressing any weaknesses in your application.

Are there any specific graduate programs or schools that are more likely to accept students with a low GPA?

There is no specific program or school that is more likely to accept students with a low GPA. Each program and school has its own admissions criteria and priorities. It may be helpful to research programs that have a holistic approach to admissions and consider factors beyond just GPA. Additionally, reaching out to admissions offices or current students in programs you are interested in may provide valuable insight into their admissions process.

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