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What is a cumulative GPA?

What should I do at this point if my gpa is only a 3.00 cumulative gpa?

  • I am not quite sure what I should do about becoming gainfully employed in the social service setting. I am currently a senior, majoring in psychology and my cumulative gpa is just a 3.00. At best, I might be able to pull it up to a 3.25 at the time of graduation. I know that most graduate schools are very competitive and are looking for students that have a 3.5 or higher as well as very high GRE scores. I have fairly high GRE score, but that gpa is probably going to hurt me next to other candidates. Would I be better off going for a second bachelor's degree in social work and becoming employed first before attending the master's in social work? Please, only answer if you have something suitable to my question. I don't need to waste my time reading crap about how social work is evil, thank you very much!

  • Answer:

    Most MSW programs require a minimum of a 3.0 (so you will meet that - and some programs will actually consider lower than 3.0 depending on other factors - some also look at the last 60 units of study). You can make up for a lower GPA with a good essay (some schools require the GRE - but not many). I would not recommend going back to a second BA in social work. You don't say what schools you are looking at, how willing you are to go to other schools, etc. These would all impact your ability to get in to a school. Other things you can do to improve your applications - References - get strong references from faculty (faculty who know you and can and will really speak to what you have done). Community members (ideally social workers) who have seen you work with people. Do NOT include references from friends (saw one today - so people are foolish enough to include these). Also the more experience you have working/volunteering within the human services, doing international work, being an activist - all of these can improve what your package will look like. DA

Dorothy K. at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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If your GRE is on the high end, then work now to bring your current GPA up a high as you can. I wouldn't bother getting a second bachelors - it's likely that the high GRE will make up for a lowish GPA, so long as that lowish GPA is up around the 3.2 you mentioned. Couple that with strong recommendations and an otherwise strong application package, and you should get into some decent MSW programs. I'd have you apply with that package, and see where you get in, before having you think about any sorts of alternate routes to the career. I believe it's worth your time to apply, with a slightly higher GPA than you have now, and a good GRE score, etc.

RoaringMice

You shouldn't go to the trouble and expense of earning a second degree unless you absolutely need it, and while you should check with the admissions departments of the schools you're interested in, I doubt that you would. Instead, you might be able to take some courses on your own while working (or volunteering in some capacity, if you can't get a job in the field right away) to demonstrate your commitment - if you don't get in on your first try. You never know; if you do work hard and pull your grades up, maybe your scores and recs will turn out to be enough. Admissions committees like 3.5s, yes, but they also like to see improvement.

MM

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