[Berettagtz]

Where would this get someone applying for grad school in analytical chemistry?

GPA   2.95 during BS ACS certified Chemistry program
GRE   not yet taken but lets say average
Research:  4 semesters plus two summers overseas (sort of like REU program)
Presentations:  Two times at Pittcon and once at a regional ACS conference
Publications:  One publication in Microchemical journal.
along with good letters of recommendation. 

Which type of schools would accept someone with above mentioned accomplishments?

[Mitch]

You'd probably be good for any program that isn't Top 10.

[Assembler]

Yikes, the GPA is killing you, but I still think you can get into many graduate schools with your other qualifications.  A large majority of graduate schools want at least a 3.0 to be considered.  Talk to some professors at your school about this.  I think different schools emphasize different factors.  I had a low GPA, too, when I applied- I got into Penn State, University of Georgia (backup), and University of Cincinnati (backup).

[Berettagtz]

I hear a lot about this 3.0 gpa requirement.  I read somewhere that some schools will not even look at your application if your gpa wasn't 3.0 or above.  Does anyone know more about this minimum requirement?

I still have a chance to bring my gpa up in the final two semesters, but I doubt that it will go over 3.0.

I am interested in what kind of qualifications everyone else had prior to going to grad school.  If you don't mind sharing, post your qualifications below along with the school name. 

[enahs]

Even with a 2.95 GPA you can get into some good schools, having a publication. Study really hard for your GRE though, as that is going to be your deciding factor for the higher ranked schools you apply to when they are choosing between you and somebody else with a good GPA but no publication.

If you have two semesters left, and you have the time (and can afford to do so) re-take one or two of the classes you got bad grades in. This will usually replace the previous bad grade (it will still be on your transcript, but it will replace the grade and raise your GPA back up). I would of course check with your school if they do replace old grades with new ones, other wise, ehh. It is really easy to bring an average down, it is hard to bring it up. Skip bringing it up and remove the low grades!


And do good on the GRE.

[Berettagtz]

I hear a lot about this 3.0 gpa requirement.  I read somewhere that some schools will not even look at your application if your gpa wasn't 3.0 or above.  Does anyone know more about this minimum requirement?

[enahs]

It is a common number for sciences to state 3.0.
If it is near or around 3.0 it is still possible, especially with publications and good GRE's.

Not everybody starts college knowing what they want to, many people experiment, and as a result grades suffer.

Good grades are better, but can be looked past. Just try and get your GPA up as high as possible, good GRE and any more publications and presentations you can.

You will get into a good school.

[Berettagtz]

so far I applied to the following schools:
Vanderbilt University
University of Cincinnati
Clemson University
North Carolina State University
Purdue

Still applying to:
Georgia Tech
Florida State
and maybe U of Southern California

Does anyone have any information on these schools? Thoughts?
Does it matter how many schools one applies to?

[Fleaker]

All good schools. The campus at Vanderbilt is particularly nice in my opinion.

It doesn't matter how many schools you apply to, but you should definitely make a short list of places you really would like to attend.

If you do well on the GRE, you'll make up for your somewhat low GPA. The fact that you were quite involved in research and have published as an undergraduate should bolster your chances considerably.

I say you study hard for the GRE and aim for a high percentile to offset any potential impressions of your academics they get from the GPA.

Good luck to you.

[Berettagtz]

I just came back from taking the GRE. 
V. 390
Q. 690
Overall 1080

I feel pretty confident about the two essays.

So plugging in the GRE scores, where do you think I stand??