1)GPA, my GPA is poor and already has a lot of credits built up. It probably will take me a total of six years to graduate. So even doing good for the next few years won't give me a good gpa. Will doing good, especially on physics classes make it a "good" gpa despite its initial appearance or it something I'm always going to live down. I know I'm assuming a lot here, but I could get a 4.0 for the next three years and my GPA still won't raise above a 3.5 because all of my course baggage.
2)Timing, Will the time I took to graduate count against me to a significant factor? I changed majors twice already so I think I have an excuse, but it still an excuse.
3) Having enough time to do research. As I said I'll only be at school for 2 years,is that enough time to get some research done while taking a full course load? If not will research during the spring/summer during/after senior year and applying next year be enough to boost it enough? If not will going to a Msc first give me enough time or will this just look like padding out my application?
4)How will can I prepare now for research? Should I try to do some advance self learning over this year? Is it realistic for me to learn enough to prepare for research using mostly online resources?
5)I'm probably going to a mid-no name state school next year. I might not have access to letters from recommendations from well known researchers, is this a big deal or is it more about show interest and potential in research, rather than having impressive publications. Should I just run with the best research my school has even if its not in a topic of my interest and try to switch after admission to grad school?
Thanks for any answers, I hope that I still have a chance despite making many poor choices over the last few years.
