GPA requirements for PhD programs

[itsJones610]

I was wondering if most Science and Engineering PhD programs look at the entire undergrad gpa or the Junior/Senior gpa? I am a returning student and my old gpa (from 12 years ago) is 2.04 after 63 credits. I figured out that depending on which path I take to finish my undergrad I will need to finish with an average gpa of about 3.7 or higher just to pull my overall gpa to a 3.0. Will my old gpa hurt my chances?

 

[Simon Bridge]

Cannot speak for others - at the University of Auckland, the gpa for only the final qualifying year is all that matters unless you are very borderline and/or you are entering a restricted program.

Of course none of it matters if someone important wants to supervise you :)

 

[eri]

Most look at your entire GPA. But at most schools (or in most states), credits expire after 10 years if you don't apply them to a degree, which means your GPA starts over (and you have to start over from the beginning with your bachelors degree). Are you sure your credits are still valid?

 

[itsJones610]

Yes they are still valid. I'm at Penn State they have something called academic renewal but to qualify you have to be out for more than 4 years AND have a gpa lower than 2.00. So my 2.04 just narrowly missed the cutoff. Too bad my younger self didn't know this or maybe I would've put more effort into skipping class and not studying lol.

 

[Matrix0]

I can tell you that GPA requirements for PhD programs can vary depending on the specific program and institution. In general, most programs will consider the overall undergraduate GPA, but they may also take into account the GPA from your junior and senior years, as those are typically the most relevant to your field of study.

As a returning student, it is understandable that your GPA from 12 years ago may not be reflective of your current abilities and dedication to your studies. It is important to note that admissions committees also consider other factors such as letters of recommendation, research experience, and personal statements when evaluating applicants. Therefore, while your previous GPA may be a part of the overall evaluation, it may not necessarily hurt your chances if you are able to demonstrate strong performance and potential in other areas.

If you are concerned about your GPA, I would recommend reaching out to the specific PhD programs you are interested in and asking about their specific requirements and how they may view a lower GPA from previous years. Additionally, you may want to consider taking additional courses or completing a post-baccalaureate program to improve your GPA and show your commitment to your academic pursuits. Overall, while GPA is important, it is not the only factor considered in PhD admissions and there are ways to mitigate any potential negative impact.