It’s not uncommon to feel disappointed if your academic record isn’t stellar. It’s a misconception regarding grades that if you end up scoring less you become ineligible to attend most colleges/universities abroad. It’s high time this issue should be addressed.
We have listed some key points below to explain to students why this is not a big deal.
Understand the basics
Many university programs have set minimum GPA requirements of 3.0 – 4.0 for admissions, however, there are programs that can accept students with GPA as low as 2.5 too. Having said that, it is important to note that GPA is only ONE of the aspects of your application.
What’s the role of GRE and IELTS?
Not all but most institutions abroad require GRE and Ielts scores as part of the application. The GRE serves an equalizer for your lower GPA. A low GPA could be a result of mixed reasons, it doesn’t stamp you as an average student. A strong GRE score can easily help you gain admission into a competitive program. One of our students had a GPA below 3 and she ended up into Masters with a fully paid scholarship on the basis of her GRE score.
Grooming yourself into a well-rounded personality
Beyond your test scores and academic record, the admission committees look for candidates who are well versed with different things in life. Nobody appreciates a student who has only focused on academics all his life and has not been part of any extra activities. It clearly means the candidate might be fitting all the requirements for the admission but isn’t a very good choice because he fails to come up as a well rounded personality. Participating in sports,club activities in school, pursuing hobbies and volunteering can show you a diverse personality , which is a basic requirement to lead a comfortable learning experience and stay while studying abroad. For example, taking part in community activities and leadership initiatives, solving problems at different levels can make you a quality addition to the community.
What else can be done to enhance the chances?
- Look for programs that are flexible with GPA requirements. For example, the American University in Cairo has some programs with no GPA requirement, shifting focus on language proficiency.
- Highlight your other strengths such as internships, work experience, volunteer work and letters of recommendation from your professors.
- Apply for cultural exchange programs or other non-degree programs that have easy academic requirements.
- Ask the experts. Take guidance from education counsellors who can assist you with application strategies and suitable programs.
- Application is your game changer – a good application can easily explain your low grades and steps you took to improve your overall academic standing.
One of our students had a low GPA and she wanted to pursue studying abroad and had faced multiple rejections from several programs. She eventually got accepted into a relevant program in Canada. This clearly showed how working hard on applications could clearly turn things around.
There’s no doubt that a low GPA can present challenges in the process of studying abroad but it certainly doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to. By carefully researching and doing detailed homework on your core strength areas, different aspects of your application and maintaining a positive mindset, you can easily get admitted into an appropriate program.
Mishal Iftikhar
Learning and Development Specialist
CEO at Leap