Low GPA: Pursue 2nd Bachelor's Degree?

Question

I graduated with a low GPA (overall 2.46) with a BA in Behavioral Science and I am now interested in doing something science related. Since no Master's program would look at me (no references either), should I pursue a 2nd bachelor's to get into the career I want?

I also thought about getting a certificate in Paralegal Studies but I don't like the idea of being stuck in an office all day or being thought of as a "glorified secretary". Hence, looking into a BS even though I'm now 28.

Answer 1

I'm a paralegal, and I'm soooooooooo not a "glorified secretary"! I also am not "stuck in my office all day long". I'm in and out of the courthouse filing paperwork, looking up dockets, researching in the law library, and in and out of the Recorder's office and Assessor's office in out county/city building. Rather than pursue a 2nd BS, I would retake the classes you didn't do well in, bring up your GPA and then try and get in the Master's Program you want.

Answer 2

Its impossible to get into grad school with a GPA lower than at least 3.0, most places require at least a 3.5 or higher.  However, in pursuing a second bachelor's degree they will look at the fact that you have a degree, and not force you to take any of the core requirements unless you are pursuing something math oriented, at which point you will have to start from scratch.

Here's the general rundown; you complete a B.A. or B.S., no matter how low your GPA, how many classes, say, you failed and had to repeat such as yours truly, they honestly and sincerely won't care.  When you already have an undergraduate degree, they can't make you take any elective credits, all you have to do, is take the core requirements for whatever major you choose.  That easily shaves off a good two years or so.  However grad schools prefer to look at people who went straight out.

There are a lot of people out there who graduate, say, at age 22, on time, with a GPA of 2.01 say.  Make it a solid 2.0.  They enter the world of work, they get bored with it so at age 26 they go back to school, this time working much harder, taking only roughly half the credit load, and in two years getting a GPA of 3.7, say.  Problem is in the world of academics, once you're branded, you're branded, and it follows you everywhere you go.

If its grad school, forget it, but if its a second Bacehlor's hey go for it.  Of course it depends how long its been since you've been in school as well.  If you have it in yourself, I sa go for it.

Answer 3

Hi.  I too am 28 and graduated recently with a B.A. in the behavioral science field.  I had/have a somewhat low gpa too, but I was really sick one semester and that is what messed it all up.  I thought about getting a second bachelors as well, but my career counselor advised against.  Instead, she told me, "Repeat the courses that you earned less than a C+ in, go to the professors that you did really well in their classes and ask them to write you a recommendation.  Let them know that you didn't do so hot in some courses and explain what happened.  If you have good reasons for not doing well in the other courses, they can write in their recommendation that they are aware that your transcript isn't exactly dazzling but they know the circumstances and they also know that you are capable of more- as can be seen by your performance in their course."  I decided to take her advice and it worked out well.