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Author
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Topic: Stressed out - school/career question
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ScorpioLove
Knowflake Posts: 323
From:
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted April 25, 2015 02:55 PM
  
Hi guys, I'm supposed to apply to grad schools this summer but since my gpa isn't where it needs to be I will be taking a gap year but I'm really stressed this semester I was supposed to get all As and it doesn't look like that will be happening.. I'm scared I won't make it to grad school and this dream career I've been working hard for, can someone do a reading to see how to get there and will I make it? IP: Logged |
threepoolsoflight
Knowflake Posts: 44
From:
Registered: Apr 2013
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posted April 25, 2015 03:28 PM
Hi ScorpioLove. I asked "Will ScorpioLove receive all A's this semester" and got the 5 of cups. This certainly looks to be a "no" but hopefully I'm wrong. Then I asked "Will ScorpioLove get into grad school?" and received 7 of wands, which suggests you certainly can do it if you put the hard work and passion into it and really fight for it! So don't be disappointed if the timing isn't immediate. You'll get there eventually if you want it. On a personal note, I went through grad school and one of my friends who was the same year as me (and 40 years old) had previously been a car mechanic when he decided he wanted to become a scientist at the age of 30. He worked his butt off through his undergrad/grad classes and had a sweet professorship waiting for him when he finished. It only goes to show how much you can change your life if you want it badly enough. Could you work as an intern during your gap year if it comes to that? You'd probably make great connections that would help you down the line...good luck to you! IP: Logged |
ScorpioLove
Knowflake Posts: 323
From:
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted April 25, 2015 04:41 PM
Wow thank you so much! Yes I don't think i'll get straight As I messed up really badly in one class which I know for sure means no A =/ and that's great! people that are very determined to reach their goals are always a great inspiration. And the 7 of wands means really really hard work to succeed right.. I kind of feel bad because I messed up my college years and feel like it'll be a let down to my parents if I don't make it also to myself. And thank you for the intern advice! i'm actually looking for summer volunteering and will take off the year to intern but it's more of my gpa that i'm worried about it has to be at the minimum for me to be considered and its not right now  i only have next year until i finish bachelors.. IP: Logged |
threepoolsoflight
Knowflake Posts: 44
From:
Registered: Apr 2013
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posted April 25, 2015 05:35 PM
You're welcome, glad I could help. Yes, that 7 of wands gives the impression that you might have to go "above and beyond" the normal procedures to get into grad school. For example, in addition to working really hard to get good grades next year, try to involve yourself in other activities that might compensate for your GPA (independent projects that show your creative/scholarly potential? Working with a mentor who's affiliated with a grad school you're interested in, so they can write you an influential recommendation letter or pull some strings for you with the admissions people?). You might have to plead your case with the admissions people yourself. Some schools might reject you outright for your GPA, but maybe some would consider you as a total package, esp. if you finish your undergrad years strong, so make that total package as stellar as possible. This might work better at universities where someone in your family is an alum, ha ha, esp. if they've contributed some $ if you get my drift! A valiant effort might be called for, in other words. IP: Logged |
ScorpioLove
Knowflake Posts: 323
From:
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted April 25, 2015 10:58 PM
Working with a mentor affiliated with a grad school is actually a very smart idea ! I haven't thought of that I honestly need to become more involved and therefore i'll start now because i've been lazy with it. Thank you so much, you were really helpful and made me feel a lot more hopeful!  IP: Logged |
BellaFenice
Knowflake Posts: 2822
From: Neptune with PisceanDream, Faith, and Meissieri
Registered: Sep 2013
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posted April 25, 2015 11:34 PM
As a grad student, let me tell you grades are not the end all that will decide if you get into a school or not. Yeah, ideally you want to have as high grades as possible, but as long your GPA is a 3.0 or above, you should be okay.Make sure your application is well-rounded, good test scores, letters of rec, personal statement, clinical/practical experience etc., and definitely GET into contact with the school(s) you are interested in. They really like the last one, showing initiative and interest is something that can give you a leg up so to speak. If you can visit and get to know the faculty and the potential mentor, even better. A gap year isn't a bad thing either, sounds like you can get more practical experience, get a little break (grad school is consuming!), and maybe make some money (?). All is not lost, it will be okay. IP: Logged | |
Lindaland
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