Schools Can I Get Into Grad School Despite My Low GPA and Age?

[Mark44]

I am a good student i pay attention to lecture, ask questions, and read the book ahead of time. i just wasnt goood enough for reasons not obvious to me.

Some reasons not obvious to you can be found in a thread you started about three years ago, titled "How can I be a be less disorganized and lazy?".

I feel like I'm a very bad student. Everytime I try to do homework my mind wanders and I wind up playing online chess games for three hours. I try to pull myself back to homework but after like five minutes I want to play another chess game again. If it's not a chess game it's some kind of online distraction like facebook or whatever. I feel cursed it's like I simply can't sit down and do homework for a good solid period of time. I always find distractions, no matter how hard I try. What's wrong with me? What can I do, I know I actually like the material, in class I follow along with everything. I find the subjects fascinating. It's just when it comes to doing work I get so lazy I hate it. I find distractions and three hours later I realize I wasted all my time. And then I'll go to class and find that I missed a homework assignment or that I forgot we had a test.

I think there is a part of me that just resists working too hard. I don't want my life to be consumed by work, no matter how important it may seem. Although I do love learning and science and there is nothing else in life I'd rather do, but still I like to have tons of down time.

 

[Delong]

Some reasons not obvious to you can be found in a thread you started about three years ago, titled "How can I be a be less disorganized and lazy?".

Oh wow that brings me back. Yea I feel really attentive when I get to class. But when I get home I usually seem to lose focus. I probably should have gotten a job to sharpen my focus all day long. I don't know whatever I don't know.

 

[Delong]

In any case I'll just wait to hear from the schools and if I don't get in again I'll consider making a career with just a bachelor's degree and forget about graduate school entirely. I'll just wait and see.

 

[Delong]

Looking back at my college years i am disappointed with my grades. I don't think i deserve grades that low to be honest. I focused on my own interests and less on what answers the professor wanted to hear.

I guess especially with my biochemistry class i didnt think the material was so hard but my professor graded very hard for reasons that elude me. ANd as for my molecular genetics class the style of the class was so different from the rest of my schooling that i couldn't get it down within one quarter.

But i did relatively well in my chemistry and math classes.

I also probably should have looked for jobs that use what I am learning in class. That way i would have a separate way of keeping the material fresh in my mind other than just a classroom.

I believe i can do that right now although i was preoccupied with grad school for the time being.

 

[Delong]

Im looking at my grades now and i see i have good grades in organic chemistry (fun class), electrochemistry (fun class), analytical chemistry (blegh boring sorry), calculus, vector calculus (so fun), linear algebra (boring for me), general physics, quantum mechanics (cool stuff), probability and statistics (really awesome class).

I got a c in genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry which really hit me hard as a biochemistry major argh. But my grades are good for all the requirements leading up to those classes. I think the style of those classes and the hard grading made me not prepared for them.

I also have a c in advanced quantum mechanics, quantum chemistry, and differential equations but i don't think biology programs will care as much about that. Although i personally care since math and physics are what got me into science in the first place.

In fact i would say quantum chemistry and vector calculus were my favorite classes in college but yea anyway.

 

[Delong]

I think to beef up my application i should retake genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology since those are like the mainstays of modern biology.

I would also like to have a better grade in differential equations and thermodynamics but i think the biology classes are more essential for my future and not just my own personal interests.

 

[Mondayman]

i am disappointed with my grades. I don't think i deserve grades that low to be honest.

I hate to repeat what's already been said, but

"Everytime I try to do homework my mind wanders and I wind up playing online chess games for three hours. I try to pull myself back to homework but after like five minutes I want to play another chess game again. If it's not a chess game it's some kind of online distraction like facebook or whatever. I feel cursed it's like I simply can't sit down and do homework for a good solid period of time. I always find distractions, no matter how hard I try."

and

I focused on my own interests and less on what answers the professor wanted to hear.

tells me that you got the grades you deserve. I'm certain you are capable of doing better - after all, even with these poor study habits you still managed a 3.0. But you get what you put in. If you focus more on chess than you do schoolwork, then a C sounds rightly deserved to me.

 

[symbolipoint]

Obviously, since after four years of trying to get into grad school you still haven't been accepted, the universities disagree.

You asked for our advice. Mine is to apply to a broader range of schools. You clearly don't like that, and would rather continue on the same path - one that hasn't worked out for you so far. Your choice.

Either that, or keep looking for a job. You need to be dedicated to whichever way you decide. If you're still trying to manage both at the same time in planning, then be careful what you say to employment interviewers.

 

[Student100]

Looking back at my college years i am disappointed with my grades. I don't think i deserve grades that low to be honest. I focused on my own interests and less on what answers the professor wanted to hear.

Just because you don't feel like you deserve a grade doesn't mean it isn't the grade you earned. You earned those C's, and from the sound of it, it was a conscious decision on your part - not because the course work was too rough for you.

I think to beef up my application i should retake genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology since those are like the mainstays of modern biology.

Look for a masters program or bridge program, learn from your mistakes and realize that you can only control so much as far as accomplishing your desires and goals. In the example of wanting to go graduate school and being a scientist, those things which you have to power the influence are your grades, reputation, and work ethic. At some point you have to decide if you want to put the work into fulfill those goals, or regret what could have been for the rest of your life, or simply that you'd rather do something else entirely. You can't control admission committees, or where you eventually get accepted. Any minor tweaks to your application at this point are not going to suddenly make you competitive at schools were the number of applicants far exceed the number of slots.

Foolishness is continuing to try to do the same things and expecting different results.

 

[Delong]

Well i only got a c in my biology classes. When i look at my other science classes i didnt do so badly imo. Switching between dry and wet science probably was just too hard a balancing act for me.

I don't think its fair to treat my past self so harshly since i was just a silly 20 year old who is still learning how the real world works.

Its not useful to beat over the past. If I don't get in again ill have to retake biochemistry and molecular biology at a nearby university and do much better than before. Ill focus on the classes i know i need and not just what i find really interesting. I am not a 21 year old anymore I am a little older and i know what i should focus on and what i should ignore...

 

[Delong]

And honestly I appreciate all the judgments *ahem* excuse me I meant "advice" but I think I've heard enough from retired professors who are used to being on the top and not having their lives affected and determined by other peoples decisions.

If there were more people in my shoes on this site I'd probably appreciate hearing from them more but being what it is I probably brought my malaise to the wrong place.

So thanks anyway for the help but I think I get the point by now.

 

[symbolipoint]

And honestly i appreciate all the judgments (ahem) excuse me i meant "advice" but i think I've heard enough from retired professors who are used to being on the top and not having their lives affected and determined by other peoples decisions.

If there were more people in my shoes on this site id probably appreciate hearing from them more but being what it is i probably brought my malaise to the wrong place.

So thanks anyway for the help but i think i get the point by now.

Psychological progress well on its way now so that's good.

Learning how to be honest with yourself should help you figure what to do.

The posts now becoming long with some long discussion posts on the topic, graduate school entrance seems to be a competitive situation. Some conditions have changed or become stricter as everything progresses. I talked to a couple of technical and science people with Master's degrees who worked in their fields. They were as well as I could tell, average people who were accepted - MORE THAN 50 YEARS AGO. One was a chemist at a time when we needed more "trained" and educated scientific people, and maybe not enough students were studying such sciences while the society really needed some technological advances made. Possibly fewer course requirements were in place at that time and some elective course choices made him competitive enough to be accepted to a Masters degree program. He worked somewhere along the way. Another person was an engineer who struggled with some courses, especially some of the Calculus required in the undergrad level. Still since much of his academic work including in the Master's program was for the newer field of computer science, and maybe fewer applicants were available while we needed more technical and scientific people (even if toward engineering), he managed to be accepted for this advanced degree program, finished, and worked.

These days, employers often want people who are more qualified (more than Bachelor degree), not less qualified. More students are trying to get into graduate degree programs, so this puts limits on how many can get into them. One needs stronger qualifications now to be judged as competitive to handle a graduate degree program.

 

[Dishsoap]

And honestly I appreciate all the judgments *ahem* excuse me I meant "advice" but I think I've heard enough from retired professors who are used to being on the top and not having their lives affected and determined by other peoples decisions.

If there were more people in my shoes on this site I'd probably appreciate hearing from them more but being what it is I probably brought my malaise to the wrong place.

So thanks anyway for the help but I think I get the point by now.

Many of the people who have responded to this post (Dr. Courtney, ZapperZ, V50) are current professors. You know, like the ones who will be on the admissions committee reviewing your application. And they have reviewed applications on admissions committees previously. Your inability to accept your failures and learn from mistakes is shown not only in grades, but also in the way that you responded throughout this thread. Even if you had a 4.0, no one in this thread would agree that you are ready for grad school based simply on your response to criticism.

 

[Delong]

Many of the people who have responded to this post (Dr. Courtney, ZapperZ, V50) are current professors. You know, like the ones who will be on the admissions committee reviewing your application. And they have reviewed applications on admissions committees previously. Your inability to accept your failures and learn from mistakes is shown not only in grades, but also in the way that you responded throughout this thread. Even if you had a 4.0, no one in this thread would agree that you are ready for grad school based simply on your response to criticism.

V50 is a staff emiritus which means he has retired. Zapperz has not commented on my forum but he is also an emiritus. Dr. Courtney disappeared after around post #10.

Ok ill admit that I am not good with criticism but id like to see who in this human world is. All of the advice on the forum I've accepted but many commenters feels fitted to put me down as well not just professors but unaccomplished students just like myself.

This is not an environment i very much ask for or need.

 

[Mark44]

V50 is a staff emiritus which means he has retired. Zapperz has not commented on my forum but he is also an emiritus.

"Staff emeritus" means that they have retired from mentorship on this forum. It has nothing to do with whether they are currently teaching.

Dr. Courtney disappeared after around post #10.

Ok ill admit that I am not good with criticism but id like to see who in this human world is. All of the advice on the forum I've accepted but many commenters feels fitted to put me down as well not just professors but unaccomplished students just like myself.

Speaking for myself, I quoted things that you said about yourself. IMO, these self-admitted traits explain pretty well why you are in the situtuation you describe.

This is not an environment i very much ask for or need.

If you don't want to hear the answer, don't ask the question.

 

[Delong]

"Staff emeritus" means that they have retired from mentorship on this forum.

Speaking for myself, I quoted things that you said about yourself. IMO, these self-admitted traits explain pretty well why you are in the situtuation you describe.

If you don't want to hear the answer, don't ask the question.

What kind of crappy useless label is that? who cares if you were successful on this forum?

I don't think I deserve bad grades. I simply took on more than I could handle at one time. I'm a little bit older now and I know I am capable. I just had to learn timing and spacing. That's a far cry from the responses I'm getting about how I'm a "failure". Again this is not feedback I find constructive in much any way.

 

[Delong]

I think I'd prefer feedback from people around my age level and stage of career development in science. Not so much seasoned professors.

 

[Mondayman]

What kind of crappy useless label is that? who cares if you were successful on this forum?

I don't think I deserve bad grades

Echoing dishoap's sentiment, even if you had a 4.0, this kind of attitude will definitely hold you back.

I think I'd prefer feedback from people around my age level and stage of career development in science. Not so much seasoned professors.

You'd prefer potentially misleading or harmful advice over valid, unbiased advice?

 

[Student100]

Let's not fall prey to obvious trolling.

 

[Delong]

I found this from one of my old threads 3 years ago: https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/stressing-out-over-grad-school-apps.732993/

Hi everyone, I'm applying to grad school and I find the process extremely stressful. Today I got almost/maybe rejected from my third graduate school and I am completely freaking out. This one was one I was actually pretty hopeful I can get in. I still have four other schools I applied to but if this trend continues I might not get into any. Getting into grad school and pursuing life as a scientist has always been my dream. All my future plans rides on this. When I got the news today that I may be rejected I was so stressed I actually had to find a place to sit down and control my breathing. I feel like my organs are ripping apart from all the adrenaline. Can someone offer me any words of comfort or ease please?

I don't think people on here realize how much stress rejection causes me. I've already recuperated and tried again for a second time. I don't need people who don't understand my situation to put me down.

Echoing dishoap's sentiment, even if you had a 4.0, this kind of attitude will definitely hold you back.You'd prefer potentially misleading or harmful advice over valid, unbiased advice?

And who might I ask you are? A guitarist?

 

[Delong]

Speaking for myself, I quoted things that you said about yourself. IMO, these self-admitted traits explain pretty well why you are in the situtuation you describe.

If you don't want to hear the answer, don't ask the question.

I don't think those traits explain my situation well. I am a capable person and I have a good head on my shoulders. There's just some small things in life and school that I'm not getting right. But it's so simple to just cast me as a lazy ignoramus who didn't apply himself. If I were a professor I'd probably do the same thing to students complaining about their struggles.

Thanks but I don't find your "answers" to be actual answers.

 

[micromass]

I think I'd prefer feedback from people around my age level and stage of career development in science. Not so much seasoned professors.

Why? What useful feedback could people of your age give that seasoned professors could not give? You asked "Am I ready for grad school?", how can somebody at your stage of career development possibly answer that? If you are just asking for validation, then you should say so.

 

[Delong]

Why? What useful feedback could people of your age give that seasoned professors could not give? You asked "Am I ready for grad school?", how can somebody at your stage of career development possibly answer that? If you are just asking for validation, then you should say so.

I don't know but i guess i prefer support and undderstanding at my point over criticism and reprimand.
Although id liked to handle criticism but i don't think I am currently strong enough to do so. Or rather don't think I am mentally strong in general.
So if that's the case then i think this thread has reached a certain wall thanks everyone anyway