How much does GPA matter for grad school?

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Austin4705
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2023 4:26 am

How much does GPA matter for grad school?

Post by Austin4705 » Thu Nov 16, 2023 2:08 am

Hi, I am a freshman at a top 10 ivy physics program but I did kind of mid in gpa my first semester (expected gpa ~3.3-3.5) due to a bit of burnout and getting really sick at the beginning of the year. Although I am already grinding research and all of that the gpa makes me kind of worried for grad school (Id really like to be at a top 5 program). I am pretty set on going experimental, so does anyone have some rough idea about what the gpa threshold is to have a very good shot at making a top program for applied research for t5 physics/experimental physics/electrical/and materials programs are? At my uni I hear the threshold at about 3.7-3.8 but I am still not really sure if that means 3.7-3.8 is the bare minimum to be considered or if past that there is no reasonable difference between gpa. Also, what happens if I actually do end up applying with a 3.5? Am I completely fucked for a top program? This is also assuming I have the rest of the portfolio down (stacked research and reu opportunities and multiple published papers, rlly good LOR, friends with the profs I want to work with at the other unis, etc) which I tend to find much easier personally than getting a 4.0 gpa and have already started to acquire a lot of that. Also by the end of undergrad I ideally really want to have the chance of me getting a top 5 program >50%

wkt_1
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu May 30, 2024 9:32 am

Re: How much does GPA matter for grad school?

Post by wkt_1 » Mon Jun 17, 2024 4:55 am

Hi there!

Congrats on being in a top Ivy physics program! Don’t stress too much about your GPA. For top 5 grad programs, a 3.7-3.8 is great, but a 3.5 won't disqualify you if you have strong research, publications, and recommendations.

Focus on maintaining or improving your GPA, keep building your research profile, and strengthen relationships with your professors. Your research experience and connections can really help balance your application.

For GPA or CGPA conversion or calculation you can find any cgpatopercent.com website online.

Keep going, you’re doing great!

Austin4705
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2023 4:26 am

Re: How much does GPA matter for grad school?

Post by Austin4705 » Thu Oct 10, 2024 9:56 pm

Hi,

Thanks for the reassuring words. Do you think a 3.5 is still able to get you in? I just dont have intuition here.



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