Applying grad school - bad grades 25 years ago- have question

I am applying to grad school for MS Computer Science program. They want transcripts from all colleges I have attended. Well 25 years ago when I was 19 I got very bad grades (almost all D's, few F's). The only college classes I've taken since then are within the last year. In the last year I have taken 7 college courses and got five A's, one A- and one B. I also have credits for CLEP, DSST, ACE and IT certs.

Should I send them a letter explaining my bad grades from 25 years ago?
How much weight will they give those 25 year old bad grades?

 

What is the requirement undergraduate GPA for admission? Do you meet the minimum requirement? If that is the case, then you don't have to worry about it. Also, always applying to the school you want to attend, and some backup school.

I had F's and C's for undergraduate degree because I compressed my degree time frames to 24 weeks while serving active duty in the Marine Corps. But I was accepted to Southern Methodist University and Georgetown University for graduate degrees. Worst case scenario, your admission is denied. But usually graduate school looks for professional experiences as well.

Here is the example of Columbia University's MS in Computer Science.
"Admission Requirements:

Degree required for admission: Most candidates have completed an undergraduate degree in computer science. Applicants with degrees in other disciplines and a record of excellence are encouraged to apply; these applicants are required to have completed at least 4 computer science courses covering the foundations of the field and 2 math courses.

GPA required: Most students admitted have earned a grade point average above 3.5 (out of 4.0); a GPA of at least 3.3 is required.

GRE requirements: General test required. A subject GRE test is not required but may be helpful in strengthening your application.

Competence in English: Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied at schools where English is the primary language must complete the TOEFL exam with a minimum grade of 600 on the written TOEFL, or 250 on the computerized version.

Other application requirements: Two recommendation letters, transcripts, resume, and a personal-professional statement are required. All application requirements in the Graduate Application must be completed as specified in the application. "

 

Tekman knows his stuff, and I agree with all of it.

One other thought, some of the for-profit schools might be lenient about GPA requirements, especially with field experience, your current high GPA and a letter explaining that you have become a much better student over the years. Enrollments have dropped at many profit schools and many are working diligently to find more students so I would assume that they might more willing to bend. You didn't mention which school you are hoping to attend, but there are some great for-profit schools out there that would supply you with a respectable master's degree.

 

I have to admit that I had poor undergrad grades (unexpectedly abandoned financially by my parents) - I worked 45-48 hours a week and tried to go to school full time. When I first applied to a B&M MBA program (Seattle U), I had five years work experience. Seattle U they said that they would let me in if I took two 400-level finance or accounting type classes with an A or A-. I completed one class with an A but then life intervened and my job moved to a different city, so I didn't proceed.

Anyway, long story to illustrate that I think you are likely to have success if you have good recent grades, relevant work experience and a strong GRE score, if they require GRE.

 

Might? Heck, if you have a pulse and a checkbook. . .

Seriously, there are a number of good for-profit programs, and most are simply interested in whether you have a qualifying bachelor's degree or not.

There are some similarly lenient programs among non-profits, too. For example, I will likely be studying with these folks next:

National University • Admissions Checklist

and they only seem to be interested in the transcript from the school you actually received your undergraduate degree from.

 

I graduated in 1988 with Mechanical Engineering. In my country, there was no GPA system then (That might have changed). I got a 58%, which was very very low.

I am working in the USA since last 5 years. I wanted to apply for graduate programs, but never got the courage. This forum helped in finding a lot of information. I got an educational evaluation from WES (I should have done this long back)...and...voila...they gave me a GPA equallent of 2.8.

I applied for a graduate certificate in Software Engineering at APU, and got accepted. I could have applied for their MS, but I don't want to spend money on the pre-reqs. All the credits from my cert (about 18) can be transferred to the MS.

Moral of the story - ask...ask...and ask until thou art given.

 

I think a school will understand that the person you were 25 years ago is not the person you are today. Plus, you do have the more recent, better grades. Like was already said, the worst they can do is tell you no.

I am sort of in the same boat (without the long gap in time) and I have been researching ways to get around my bad GPA to prepare for grad school. Here is what I have found:

-A lot of schools will only care about the GPA of your last 60 hours. I know you said you only took 7 classes recently, but they may make an exception for you due to the age of the old credits.

-Schools might make exceptions if you complete some grad courses or a graduate certificate and maintain a good GPA. You might be able to take a few courses at the institution you are interested in as a non-degree seeking student, do well, and then use that to show the school you can do the work required. Or you can try for a grad certificate there or somewhere else and try to transfer it in to the MS program. That's sort of a back way into a program.

-Do take the GRE. A lot of schools are dropping that as a requirement, like in the example posted above, but it might help to offset your bad GPA. In the end, the only thing you are losing is the testing fee. And if it helps get you into the program then I would say it is well worth it.

-A lot of programs will require a personal statement of some sort. That is your opportunity to advocate for yourself and explain your situation. You don't need to be long-winded about it, but just explain that you had some issues 25 years ago, and that you have long since worked them out. Maybe I'm being naive, but I think they will understand.

Anyway, those are a few of the things I have found so far. Hope that helps and good luck.

 

I'm not sure the pulse is required anymore, just the checkbook. :smile:

 

Cue at least one story about a dead person receiving a degree.

 

Also a dog, if memory serves me correctly.

 

. . . and the cats, and the infants. There's seemingly no end to those stories.

 

I agree. Plus providing your work experience on your application also helps (my work experience allowed the waiver of some grad program prerequisites). I assume you have a bachelors degree.

 

Admissions will understand your situation as an adult learner, you will not be the first person in this situation. Your most recent academic academic achievement will be more important than grades received over 20 year ago. It also seems like you are a different person this time around based on your grades. Sometimes paying for your courses out of pocket makes a difference. What program are you looking to get into? Are you looking at multiple options?