Will I be able to get into grad school with a low GPA?

kgrogers1979 · 01-08-09, 12:41 PM

Long story short, I was just too immature for college when I went right after high school and ended up skipping all my classes and failing them. I ended up getting kicked out after two semesters.

I decided to go back to college last year. I was originally a Computer Science major, but I changed to Accounting when I went back. Since returning to school, I have gotten A's in all my Accounting and other business related classes, but all my F's from before are really holding me back. I have five semesters of school left before I graduate, and I did a calculation where assuming my remaining future grades are 80% A's and 20% B's, then my final GPA will be a 2.8.

Grad school typically requires at least a 3.0 GPA, right? Am I screwed?

Also, does anyone here work in private accounting? I am leaning more towards going into private rather than public, so I was wondering if I would even need to go for a CPA (Certified Public Accounting) if I decide to go the private route.

Ronnie Dobbs · 01-08-09, 12:43 PM

I got a 3.2 overall (it would've been hire if not for Trig and Stats). I got in fine. Pretty much as long as you can pay for grad school, you can get in.

VinVega · 01-08-09, 12:45 PM

Why do you want to go to grad school if you're going to be an Accountant? Only reason I ask is that in my state, you need graduate level classes to sit for the CPA, but you don't necessarily need to be enrolled in the Masters program.

kgrogers1979 · 01-08-09, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VinVega

Why do you want to go to grad school if you're going to be an Accountant? Only reason I ask is that in my state, you need graduate level classes to sit for the CPA, but you don't necessarily need to be enrolled in the Masters program.

I am in Indiana, and I believe the requirement here is 150 credit hours, but I don't think any grad level courses are actually required. I believe an undergrad double major also satisfies the requirements.

I just thought that a Masters in Accounting would probably be better than an unrelated second major.

jonw9 · 01-08-09, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronnie Dobbs

I got a 3.2 overall (it would've been hire if not for Trig and Stats). I got in fine. Pretty much as long as you can pay for grad school, you can get in.

Didn't do so hot in English either?

Do you need to take the GRE to get in whatever school you are looking at? Doing this may help override the low GPA. My university required a letter as well. You could explain the past is past, and you have matured and turned things around.

Next, did you go back to the college that you were kicked out of? If not, I don't see how your old grades would contribute to your current accounting GPA. Although you will need an old transcript from the first place, your "current" GPA would be much higher.

When I applied for grad school, I had a current 3.7 gpa and an transcript with and old gpa that was quilt low, around 2.5 and a status of EXPELLED.

I applaud you on not quitting, I was where you are not too long ago.

mbs · 01-08-09, 12:53 PM

It depends where. I'm on the admissions committee (science department at a top-15 university) this year and we won't consider anyone without a 3.0. The typical cutoff is 3.4-3.5, but low 3.0 with a good reason (such as working full-time) along with very good recommendations and good GREs will get you accepted.

mbs · 01-08-09, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronnie Dobbs

Pretty much as long as you can pay for grad school, you can get in.

I guess this is department dependent. Not true in science.

kvrdave · 01-08-09, 12:58 PM

It all depends on what grad school you want to get into. There are many that aren't too picky. But there are some that are pretty competitive.

kgrogers1979 · 01-08-09, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonw9

Do you need to take the GRE to get in whatever school you are looking at?

It is still a little early, so I haven't looked around much to decide where I want to go. I don't want to move more than an hour or two away since I like being close to family, so my choices are kind of limited anyway.

Quote:

Next, did you go back to the college that you were kicked out of? If not, I don't see how your old grades would contribute to your current accounting GPA.

Yes, I returned to the same college. My transcript here has both an overall GPA and a GPA based on the major. You need a 2.0 overall and a 2.5 in the major to graduate. I currently have a 2.08 overall and a 4.0 in my major.... my old Computer Science classes just count overall, but not for the major since I changed to Accounting.

DVD Josh · 01-08-09, 01:21 PM

I've got a question for the OP and Jon...if you are expelled, or leave school with a poor GPA, but start again, is it possible for you to choose not to take the credit hours earned and just start fresh?

Duran · 01-08-09, 01:24 PM

Have you talked to the administrators in your current school? They might be willing to mark some of your failing grades "not applicable" since they're from early in your college career and not relevant to your current degree (assuming they aren't). Typically, the "F"s will still appear on your transcript, but there will be a notation and it won't be included in your GPA calculation.

jonw9 · 01-08-09, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DVD Josh

I've got a question for the OP and Jon...if you are expelled, or leave school with a poor GPA, but start again, is it possible for you to choose not to take the credit hours earned and just start fresh?

Well, when I transferred into MSU, only classes over a certain grade (2.0?) transferred in, and didn't bring the grade. So I could start "fresh" with some transfer credits.

I don't know about returning to the same school. Also, State didn't let me in right away (although previously accepted) because of my recent history. Which is why I hit the community college for a bit, to show that I was serious now.

whaaat · 01-08-09, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonw9

Didn't do so hot in English either?

When I applied for grad school, I had a current 3.7 gpa and an transcript with and old gpa that was quilt low, around 2.5 and a status of EXPELLED.

kgrogers1979 · 01-08-09, 01:37 PM

Actually, I asked someone in admissions if it was possible to get my previous grades dropped. Academic renewal is what they call it, so I guess if they have an actual term for it, there must be quite a few students who do what I did...

Anyway, they said to be eligible for academic renewal, there has to be a five year period between the last enrollment and the re-enrollment. I was only out for three years, so I wasn't eligible unfortunately.

jonw9 · 01-08-09, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whaaat

Doh, I thought I caught those!

Actually, it was my quilting courses that cause the low gpa. Should have gone with basket weaving.

Decadance · 01-08-09, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbs

I guess this is department dependent. Not true in science.

Not true in social science (least political science and sociology), maybe it is true in Business, though I still doubt it. Perhaps Ronnie was thinking hire education was equivalent to the University of Phoenix.

Ronnie Dobbs · 01-08-09, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Decadance

Not true in social science (least political science and sociology), maybe it is true in Business, though I still doubt it. Perhaps Ronnie was thinking hire education was equivalent to the University of Phoenix.

It was DeVry actually.

foggy · 01-08-09, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgrogers1979

Also, does anyone here work in private accounting? I am leaning more towards going into private rather than public, so I was wondering if I would even need to go for a CPA (Certified Public Accounting) if I decide to go the private route.

I just started in public a few months ago myself but I can tell you that (in this market at least, Boston) entry level jobs in private accounting for people with no experience in public do not exist. You might be able to get a job as an AR or AP clerk but not as a staff accountant with no public experience. In theory, you don't need to be a CPA to work in private accounting, but if you don't get certified you will forever be at a disadvantage.

CPA-ESQ. · 01-09-09, 12:44 PM

you could work in private without becoming a CPA - but I would not expect to be a high level accountant... you will probably be doing grunt work for a looong time... and then if you get lucky and stick around - you will be pushed into some mid / low level management role.

For some people that is a good living.

like foggy said - you would start as an AP or AR clerk.

montag · 01-09-09, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonw9

When I applied for grad school, I had a current 3.7 gpa and an transcript with and old gpa that was quilt low, around 2.5 and a status of EXPELLED.

Don't forget this one.

LurkerDan · 01-09-09, 01:03 PM

what is public versus private accounting?

maxfisher · 01-09-09, 01:07 PM

You'll get a much better answer by picking up the phone and calling a couple admissions offices from graduate programs you might be interested in. I'm sure they'd be happy to talk to you. If it ends up looking like you really need a 3.0, you've got plenty of time to fix it. Add a pushover class to each semester between now and your graduation date and I'm guessing it'd give you more than enough of a bump, assuming your other calculations are correct.

kgrogers1979 · 01-09-09, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CPA-ESQ.

you could work in private without becoming a CPA - but I would not expect to be a high level accountant... you will probably be doing grunt work for a looong time... and then if you get lucky and stick around - you will be pushed into some mid / low level management role.

For some people that is a good living.

like foggy said - you would start as an AP or AR clerk.

I am kind of weird because I really don't mind doing grunt work. I don't have a whole lot of ambition I guess. I never really want to get into upper level management work, and I am not even sure if I would even like to be a mid level manager. I have always been a follower, not a leader. I would be happy making an "average" salary of $35k-$45k (in current currency).

I still am thinking of becoming a CPA just to keep my options open, but I am not really sure I would ever really need it with my "low" ambitions. I guess it is better to be safe than sorry though...

My state, Indiana, does allow a student to reach the 150 credit hours by taking a double major. Going for the CPA, would it be better to do an undergrad double major in Accounting and maybe Finance, or just a single major in Accounting and then go to grad school for a Masters in Accounting?

Quote:

Originally Posted by LurkerDan

what is public versus private accounting?

I have only had two intro accounting classes so far (intro to financial accounting and intro to management/cost accounting), so I could be wrong but a private accountant works for one company only while a public accountant works for a firm that does the financial work for many companies that don't want to hire their own private accountants.

Using the tv show The Office for example, the three accountants Angela, Kevin, and Oscar would be private accountants that work for only Dunder Mifflin.

Larry C. · 01-09-09, 01:59 PM

Well I have recently decided to go back to school. its been 8 years so academic renewal sounds good. I originally went in 92-93 then got my wife pregnant and needed to work. Went back in 2000 took 18 credit hours and got a 4.0 gpa. I need 2 classes to finish my AA but have extra credits that work towards my bachelors degree. Its kinda strange to go back at 34, but I do have my Series 6 and 63. But I figure in todays economy I should get everything I can.

beavismom · 01-09-09, 02:08 PM

Have you considered retaking some of your failed classes? If you were just a freshman anyway they shouldn't be too difficult and then your GPA should reflect the better grade. You might even be able to take some of them online and you still have some time to take care of it. Even wiping out a few f's will greatly help your GPA (spoken from someone who had a similar experience although not bad enough to get kicked out).

01-08-09, 12:41 PM	#1
kgrogers1979 DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,015	Will I be able to get into grad school with a low GPA? Long story short, I was just too immature for college when I went right after high school and ended up skipping all my classes and failing them. I ended up getting kicked out after two semesters. I decided to go back to college last year. I was originally a Computer Science major, but I changed to Accounting when I went back. Since returning to school, I have gotten A's in all my Accounting and other business related classes, but all my F's from before are really holding me back. I have five semesters of school left before I graduate, and I did a calculation where assuming my remaining future grades are 80% A's and 20% B's, then my final GPA will be a 2.8. Grad school typically requires at least a 3.0 GPA, right? Am I screwed? Also, does anyone here work in private accounting? I am leaning more towards going into private rather than public, so I was wondering if I would even need to go for a CPA (Certified Public Accounting) if I decide to go the private route. __________________ "To truly hock a loogie, one must not retrieve the phlegm from the throat, but from the soul." - Snotty from Revenge of the Nerds II.

01-08-09, 12:43 PM	#2
Ronnie Dobbs Suspended Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,659	Re: Will I be able to get into grad school with a low GPA? I got a 3.2 overall (it would've been hire if not for Trig and Stats). I got in fine. Pretty much as long as you can pay for grad school, you can get in.

01-08-09, 12:45 PM	#3
VinVega Moderator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Stuck in the middle with you Posts: 21,084	Re: Will I be able to get into grad school with a low GPA? Why do you want to go to grad school if you're going to be an Accountant? Only reason I ask is that in my state, you need graduate level classes to sit for the CPA, but you don't necessarily need to be enrolled in the Masters program. __________________ History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life and brings us tidings of antiquity. - Cicero

01-08-09, 12:53 PM	#6
mbs DVD Talk Platinum Edition Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,215	Re: Will I be able to get into grad school with a low GPA? It depends where. I'm on the admissions committee (science department at a top-15 university) this year and we won't consider anyone without a 3.0. The typical cutoff is 3.4-3.5, but low 3.0 with a good reason (such as working full-time) along with very good recommendations and good GREs will get you accepted.

01-08-09, 12:58 PM	#8
kvrdave DVD Talk God Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 66,693	Re: Will I be able to get into grad school with a low GPA? It all depends on what grad school you want to get into. There are many that aren't too picky. But there are some that are pretty competitive. __________________ Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. - C.S. Lewis

01-08-09, 01:21 PM	#10
DVD Josh DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: In My Own Little World Posts: 18,282	Re: Will I be able to get into grad school with a low GPA? I've got a question for the OP and Jon...if you are expelled, or leave school with a poor GPA, but start again, is it possible for you to choose not to take the credit hours earned and just start fresh? __________________ Why the hell must you continually question my hyperbole? - Mordred If you hear hoofbeats, think Horse, not Zebra. - mdc3000 *DVDTALK GOLD TRADER*

01-08-09, 01:24 PM	#11
Duran DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: Columbia, MD Posts: 7,709	Re: Will I be able to get into grad school with a low GPA? Have you talked to the administrators in your current school? They might be willing to mark some of your failing grades "not applicable" since they're from early in your college career and not relevant to your current degree (assuming they aren't). Typically, the "F"s will still appear on your transcript, but there will be a notation and it won't be included in your GPA calculation. __________________ Go Terps!

01-08-09, 01:37 PM	#14
kgrogers1979 DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,015	Re: Will I be able to get into grad school with a low GPA? Actually, I asked someone in admissions if it was possible to get my previous grades dropped. Academic renewal is what they call it, so I guess if they have an actual term for it, there must be quite a few students who do what I did... Anyway, they said to be eligible for academic renewal, there has to be a five year period between the last enrollment and the re-enrollment. I was only out for three years, so I wasn't eligible unfortunately. __________________ "To truly hock a loogie, one must not retrieve the phlegm from the throat, but from the soul." - Snotty from Revenge of the Nerds II.

01-09-09, 12:44 PM	#19
CPA-ESQ. DVD Talk Platinum Edition Join Date: Jul 1999 Posts: 3,421	Re: Will I be able to get into grad school with a low GPA? you could work in private without becoming a CPA - but I would not expect to be a high level accountant... you will probably be doing grunt work for a looong time... and then if you get lucky and stick around - you will be pushed into some mid / low level management role. For some people that is a good living. like foggy said - you would start as an AP or AR clerk.

01-09-09, 01:03 PM	#21
LurkerDan DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: The People's Republic of Boulder Posts: 13,145	Re: Will I be able to get into grad school with a low GPA? what is public versus private accounting? __________________ "I have dictionary facts to support me." - art "we get paid for butt time" - mosquitobite "It felt much more comfortable when I was trying them on. No sharp edge poking my skin." - Buford T. Pusser

01-09-09, 01:07 PM	#22
maxfisher DVD Talk Platinum Edition Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 3,450	Re: Will I be able to get into grad school with a low GPA? You'll get a much better answer by picking up the phone and calling a couple admissions offices from graduate programs you might be interested in. I'm sure they'd be happy to talk to you. If it ends up looking like you really need a 3.0, you've got plenty of time to fix it. Add a pushover class to each semester between now and your graduation date and I'm guessing it'd give you more than enough of a bump, assuming your other calculations are correct. __________________ I go back to the comparison I made earlier to slavery. Slavery existed because it was commercially viable and there were those that justified it using circular logic (i.e. slavery was OK because people wanted to keep slaves). It was only when men of moral character started standing up to the slave traders/owners that the wheels were set in motion for the abolition of slavery. I draw a parallel to straight porn. - art

01-09-09, 01:59 PM	#24
Larry C. DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: May 2001 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,355	Re: Will I be able to get into grad school with a low GPA? Well I have recently decided to go back to school. its been 8 years so academic renewal sounds good. I originally went in 92-93 then got my wife pregnant and needed to work. Went back in 2000 took 18 credit hours and got a 4.0 gpa. I need 2 classes to finish my AA but have extra credits that work towards my bachelors degree. Its kinda strange to go back at 34, but I do have my Series 6 and 63. But I figure in todays economy I should get everything I can. __________________ "I'd rather be a nation of Chinese than an unethical dick shooter." - Eric Theodore Cartman Xbox360 Gamertag = Jackal666666 My Countdown Counting down to: 100 Movies. 31 Days. The 5th Annual "October Horror Movie Challenge" Let the Horror Begin!!!

01-09-09, 02:08 PM	#25
beavismom DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Texas Posts: 1,598	Re: Will I be able to get into grad school with a low GPA? Have you considered retaking some of your failed classes? If you were just a freshman anyway they shouldn't be too difficult and then your GPA should reflect the better grade. You might even be able to take some of them online and you still have some time to take care of it. Even wiping out a few f's will greatly help your GPA (spoken from someone who had a similar experience although not bad enough to get kicked out).