What are my chances of getting into graduate school if my grades barely meet the minimum requirements of the school?
If you are applying to a competitive program (and not all programs are competitive) and your grades are low, your chances will be enhanced by your ability to provide additional evidence that your GPA doesn’t accurately reflect your abilities and potential. Some programs, for example, will place substantial value on work experience in the field. Or you might be able to overcome a relatively weak overall GPA by undertaking a demanding independent study or research project that demonstrates your true abilities and generates a strong letter of recommendation. Some schools will list a minimum GPA, but that figure reflects the minimum as opposed to the typical thresh hold figure or average GPA of those admitted. Schools are often reluctant to list average GPA and GRE information because they are only part of the package examined in the decision making process. You may be able to get more concrete information by contacting a department or program and asking, “In the past few years, what kind
