Question about grad school admittance

[huntmich]

I have no question in my mind that, after graduating next December, I will not be in position to apply to grad school. I will have around a 2.75, and nearly every program requires a 3.0 or better. So I'm working on getting a job, and with a mechanical engineering degree, I think I will be able to find one. I have good extracurriculars, research experience, University Leadership positions, etc.

But my question is, lets say I go out into the workfoce, and show my capabilities in a real life scenario. If, 3 years down the line, I applied to a grad school, would they be more willing to overlook my graduating GPA? Would my real life experience outweigh the grades?

 

[PlurredChemistry]

it depends on what program you're applying for and what you are actually doing between now and then.

you have to realize that there are many people with good extracurriculars, research, leadership and a considerably higher GPA.

what did you study, what will you be doing after school? i know many people who have gone the route that you're planning. it is definately doable, you NEED to be doing work related to what you want to go to grad school for. some programs prefer to hire directly from industry positions rather than direct from uni, so this might actually be a benefit.

 

[huntmich]

I did Mechanical Engineering and will be doing medical device technology after I graduate.

 

[THeRaVeToY]

i have a 2.4 GPA, and got accepted by a grad program in a school that "required" a 3.0.

i basically treated it as a sales pitch, selling the image of myself that they wanted to see--one i can provide, of course! sometimes individual programs can override the university's requirements, keeping in mind the sometimes!

real life experience (because it shows a desire to remain in the field) can outweigh the low gpa, provided you can give good references and prove to be a reliable employee/student.

 

[huntmich]

Ravetoy, what program were you in?

 

[PlurredChemistry]

you've definately got a chance if you're doing engineering. make sure you get an AMAZING recommendation from your supervisor and work your way up in the company. the chemists that i know that are (were) in the same boat as you got themselves promoted to the highest position available for non-phds. then they applied with the 'i can't go any futher' story.

good luck!