Here are my stats - Will I get into a grad school?

Question

I want to get into a large, research oriented university with a PhD program in genetics (my dream would be university of wisconsin, university of washington, michigan, or chapel hill). I will be applying either mid-late fall 08 semester or early 2009 (as you can see there is a large difference in my last 60 hour GPA for before fall 08 grades and after fall 08 grades).

Cumulative GPA: 2.976

Last 60 hours before fall 08 semester: 3.09375

Last 60 hours after fall 08 semester: 3.4769

GPA in major classes: 3.3

GRE: 90th percentile

Biology Subject GRE: 90th percentile

Research experience: genetics - 1 year (also was the lab's tech) & organic chemistry 1 semester

I will also have three good letters of recommendation

My transcript has four F's (two classes I've retaken and gotten A's, another I'm retaking this fall), a couple of D's and a few C's.

Two of the F's were in biology, and 1 D was in biology. The rest my biology classes I have A's (about 10 classes). In chemistry I have a mixture of A's B's and C's. I have B's in two calc classes, and a C in physics.

My low GPA is the result of circumstances during the first part of my collegiate career. In my late teens and early 20's I was the only caretaker for my physically disabled, abusive mother who suffered from several mental illnesses. I took care of her while working to support us both and going to school full time. There was a large amount of my undergrad career where I was having severe anxiety attacks and depression from this and it really affected my GPA.

Answer 1

You will be able to get into some graduate school.  I think the elite private schools are out -- as are many of the better public universities.  I think Wisconsin, Washington, Michigan and UNC are highly unlikely.  People who get into those schools have very high GPAs and GRE scores several percentile higher than yours (e.g., 98th or 99th).

When you apply, you will need to address your grades and talk about why your advanced classes are more representative of your abilities.

You may be able to get an MS at a mid-level school and then get accepted to those schools.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Thankfully, you have research experience which will take your application farther than normal.  Your major GPA is rather on the low side, many grad candidates tend to have stellar major GPAs.  F's in your major are not going to win anyone over. Have you thought about what you would like to specifically get yourself into, research-wise?  If you can bring some focus I think your deficiencies will be played down.  On the other hand, if you're just looking for a "generic grad program" they might see you as just a relatively unimpressive professional student.

Answer 3

Going by just your stats, no.  However, if you're able to score an admissions interview, you'd probably have a pretty decent chance.  Then they'll be able to see how you turned your college career around.

Answer 4

You must visit the schools and sit down with the chair of the department and explain you situation.  Bring a copy of your transcripts and explain to the chair what you're told us.  Emphasize how you have overcome adversity and how you have excelled since then.