Concern about past adventures in the liberal arts.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around concerns regarding academic performance and its implications for graduate school applications, particularly in the context of transitioning from liberal arts to a science-focused degree. Participants share personal experiences and seek advice on how to navigate GPA calculations and application strategies.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested, Homework-related, Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses anxiety about how their past academic performance in liberal arts and poor grades in science and math might affect their graduate school applications, despite recent success in a science program.
  • Another participant suggests that graduate schools will determine which classes to include in GPA calculations, indicating that the applicant's current academic efforts could help mitigate past performance.
  • A follow-up question seeks clarification on whether all academic records must be submitted and how that affects the initial GPA assessment for graduate applications.
  • A participant shares their own experience of being required to submit all academic records from previous studies, emphasizing that past records are considered in the application process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that graduate schools will assess GPA based on submitted records, but there is uncertainty about how past performance will be weighed against current achievements. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best strategies for addressing past academic issues in applications.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the importance of application essays and explanations for past performance, but there are no definitive guidelines provided on how different schools handle GPA calculations or the impact of previous records.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering graduate school after a non-traditional academic path, particularly those transitioning from liberal arts to science or facing challenges with past academic performance.

DdraigGoch
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I am in a bit of a difficult situation and I could use some advice about the magnitude of my problem and possible options. First, a bit of history...

I had a rough adolescence resulting in graduating two years late. Not doing any studying or homework in high school lead to decent liberal arts grades, awful science/math grades, and taking the bare minimum science and math to graduate. I followed what I thought I was good at and ended up working on an environmental studies BA.

Surprise surprise, I kept doing what I had been doing all along. I got terrible grades in university but I didn't have any better ideas. I kept at it for a bit over 4 years and then bailed with 1 semester left and a GPA in the mid 2.0s.

I took a couple years off school to figure out what on Earth I was going to do with myself. Aided by the cleansing power of manual labor, I decided to chase my childhood dream and try and get an ecology degree.

I just finished my first year in a science program. I am LOVING what I am doing and have managed a 4.18/4.33 GPA so far (At this school A:4.00, A:+4.33). I want to go to grad school. As you can imagine I am concerned about how my previous academic ventures will effect my ability to get into a good graduate program. I am intended to transfer into an honors degree, do undergraduate research, and everything else I can to make up for past mistakes.

Do I have to declare my previous GPA? Will my GPAs just get pooled together for grad applications or can I present them separately? In general I am trying to get a feel for how bad this situation is and what I can do to minimize the badness. Thanks!
 
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The graduate school will determine which classes they'll use to calculate your GPA. However, doing what you plan will help mitigate those factors, as will an explanation in your application essay (assuming you go into a graduate program that requires one).
 
daveb said:
The graduate school will determine which classes they'll use to calculate your GPA. However, doing what you plan will help mitigate those factors, as will an explanation in your application essay (assuming you go into a graduate program that requires one).

Oh, interesting. So I send them ALL of my academic records and they derive a GPA from that? Am I understanding you correctly?
I guess my primary concern is not making it past the initial gpa-cutoff filter. A letter explaining the situation is probably a good idea though. Thanks for the input.
 
Yes, that's right. I got my BS in Physics/Math 2003, but had gone to college for about 1 1/2 years right out of high school for Theater Arts back in 1980. Ohio State wanted all my records, even those from back in 1980.
 

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