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Old 03-19-2008, 05:38 AM
Amanda Kay Amanda Kay is offline
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You should definitely take some non-matriculated classes, but only if you're POSITIVE they will work in your favor. The GPA is a bit low, but many graduate education programs look at the GPA in a year by year perspective, not just the final cumulative. Also, if you've been working in your fields for the past five years, that will help tremendously. Focus on your personal statement and recommendation letters. Write a stellar personal statement, focusing on your personal and academic accomplishments and even mention the decline in your GPA in your senior year - just don't dwell on it. One to two sentences about it will suffice, and don't make excuses, just touch on your acknowledgement that it's lower than average and why that is - because you were working and studying, a death in the family, etc. Also, even if the schools you're applying to only require 3 recommendation letter (that's usually the standard number), exceed that number and ask a couple extra referees, like your employer, previous employers, or other previous professors. You would be surprised how much those complementary items can help your application and make up for a lower GPA.
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