Low Undergraduate GPA: Is it Still Possible?

In summary, the person is asking if it is possible for them to get into a decent MSEE program with a low undergraduate GPA of 2.84. They have been working in industry for 3 years and have started an MSEE at University of South Alabama but had to leave due to medical reasons. They are interested in power supply design and hope that getting an MS will help them get a job in that field. They are also wondering if they can get back into Georgia Tech with their low GPA and are looking for other schools in the Atlanta area to apply to. They have taken the general GREs and received an 800 in math, but not a high score in writing/verbal. They are wondering if there is anything they
  • #1
smk037
68
1
Hello All,

I graduated from Georgia Tech ~3 years ago with quite a low GPA. I ended up with a 2.84 cumulative for my BSEE degree.

I know this is not good. Since then, I have done a couple of small personal electronics projects and have been working in industry for 3 years. I also started my MSEE at University of South Alabama while working (only took one course and received an A) but had to leave due to medical reasons.

Is it still possible for me to get into a decent MSEE program?

Thank you for your help,
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
from what I understand after 2 or 3 years your grades don't matter as much as the experience you get from your years of work. however I'm not certain if this applies to engineering 100%. My sister was in biology and had a similar GPA to yours, and after 3 years of working as a lab assistant/technician, she got admitted to tulane U for a Msc in Public health (pretty decent school in the US for that field)
 
  • #3
Thank you, that makes me feel better. I have been fortunate to have pretty decent work experience.
 
  • #4
You never indicated any reason why you want to get the MSEE degree.

Zz.
 
  • #5
My last job was doing hardware designs for ethernet switches and it was not quite what I expected. I was doing work at the board level-- basically creating schematics around ASICs that did most of the work. I did some power supply design then and it was my favorite part.

Right now I'm working at a regulatory agency and doing safety testing. Again, power supplies is what I'm most interested in here as well. I'm hoping getting an MS will help me get a job doing power supply designs in the future.

Either way, I can not imagine having an MSEE is a bad thing.
 
  • #6
It seems like most schools in the area have a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0. Will this still apply since I've been out of school for a couple years?

Also, is it possible to get back into Georgia Tech with such a low GPA? And anyone know of some other schools in the Atlanta area I can apply to?
 
  • #7
Also, are there things I can do at this point to get help my chances? I have taken the general GREs and gotten an 800 in math. I didn't score very high in writing/verbal (~550).
 
  • #8
Most grad programs require a personal statement, resume, or something similar. Use whichever platform the school wants to explain the situation. A personal statement allows you to explain what you've explained here (why I got bad grades, doing well in industry, why I want MS, blah blah blah) while a resume/CV will show the industry experience you obtained after graduating w/ a BS.
 

FAQ: Low Undergraduate GPA: Is it Still Possible?

What is considered a "low" undergraduate GPA?

A "low" undergraduate GPA is typically considered to be below a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. However, this can vary depending on the standards of the specific academic institution or program.

Will a low undergraduate GPA prevent me from getting into graduate school?

While a low GPA may make it more challenging to get into graduate school, it is not necessarily a barrier. Admissions committees also consider other factors such as letters of recommendation, personal statements, and relevant experience when making decisions.

Can I still get a good job with a low undergraduate GPA?

Having a low undergraduate GPA may make it more difficult to secure certain jobs, but it is not impossible. Employers also consider other factors such as relevant experience, skills, and interview performance when making hiring decisions.

How can I improve my chances of getting accepted into a program or job with a low undergraduate GPA?

There are a few steps you can take to improve your chances. First, focus on excelling in your remaining coursework to show improvement. Second, build relationships with professors who can write strong letters of recommendation. Finally, gain relevant experience through internships, research, or volunteer work.

Is it worth it to retake courses to boost my undergraduate GPA?

It depends on your specific situation. If your GPA is just below a cutoff for a program or job, retaking courses to improve it may be beneficial. However, if your GPA is significantly low, it may be more beneficial to focus on other aspects of your application and gaining relevant experience.

Similar threads

Admissions Minimum GPA & GPA-Importance for Top PhD Programs
Replies
4
Views
1K
Schools MSEE Programs for Low GPA - Schools & Atlanta Area Options
Replies
1
Views
2K
Admissions Need advice for Low GPA / Good Research / HEPth PhD application
Replies
26
Views
3K
Admissions Applying for PhD despite very weak undergraduate GPA
2
Replies
53
Views
5K
Other How much does GPA and Prestigious school indicate success?
Replies
7
Views
308
Other What Makes a Strong PhD Applicant in Physics?
Replies
11
Views
2K
Admissions Switching from grad quantitative psych to physics: is it possible?
Replies
3
Views
1K
Admissions Need advice on how realistic my graduate school prospects are
Replies
8
Views
2K
Admissions Grad schools acceptance with a low GPA
Replies
1
Views
2K
Admissions Chances with a Low/mid GPA but high PGRE and research experience
Replies
2
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top