BSc vs MSc GPA

[sanjayaone]

I’m Sri Lankan Graduate, currently working as research assistant. I have completed my BSc Agriculture special Degree (GPA 2.72/4.00) and MSc. in Molecular and Applied Microbiology (GPA 3.95/4.00). My MSc. degree duration is one and half years and don’t contain research component. However, I have two years research experience (as a research assistant) and I have two local research publications.
Furthermore I have served as a president for a society at university.
I have several problems.

1) I did my MSc degree to compensate negative effects of low BSc GPA, but now I have a doubt about validity of my MSc. (Because 1.5 years and 31 credits)
2) What should I do to reduce the negative effects of low GPA?
3) In order to get scholarship in molecular biology /biotechnology (or research assistantship) what should I do?

[greeneye555]

Hi sanjayaone -

I'm confused as to why you would doubt the validity of your Masters GPA. A 3.95/4.00 sounds great to me. That in combination with your research experience, publications, and initiative to hold office in a scientific society in academia seems like you're really headed in the right direction, despite the low Bachelors GPA.

[sanjayaone]

Thanx for reply, but some PhD Programs requires 2 years MS degree, or 45 credit hours (but I have 31 credits).
What should I do?
Now I’m planning to apply for a MS degree in comparatively low ranking university and do a MS again. After that I can apply for a Good PhD program with good scholarship.
What do you think?
If you know please suggest some universities for me

Originally Posted by greeneye555

Hi sanjayaone -

I'm confused as to why you would doubt the validity of your Masters GPA. A 3.95/4.00 sounds great to me. That in combination with your research experience, publications, and initiative to hold office in a scientific society in academia seems like you're really headed in the right direction, despite the low Bachelors GPA.

[greeneye555]

Ah, I see.. but not really. I apologize, because I don't know how the Sri Lankan academic system works compared to the US.

Is it possible for you to continue working on the MS at the same institution you're currently at? (Just adding more credits on & adding research, say.. working in a professor's lab?)

[sanjayaone]

Hi greeneye555, since U R in US system may be U R aware of how they evaluate.
Do you think my MSc is OK for USA? (That 2 year and 45 credit story came from Canadian Uni.) Good thing is in my final year undergrad (majoring in biology) I have 3.6 GPA.
Currently I have good responses from several Profs (for MS) but uni admition process says we should have minimum 3.0 Undergrad GPA. (If prof. needs me, can they ignore that rule?) What should I do?
What do you think; doing MS again in USA is wasting time? On the other hand, should I apply directly for a PhD?

“Is it possible for you to continue working on the MS at the same institution you're currently at? (Just adding more credits on & adding research, say.. working in a professor's lab?)”Since I completed my MS I can’t add credits for that, but I’m planning to work with Prof (may be we can go for an international Publication).

[greeneye555]

Well, I don't know the whole story of course. But I would recommend you to move forward, rather than backwards to redo a Msc. It's your Masters GPA that matters the most here. The past is the past. You could also check the requirements of the schools that you're interested in. And get more information from an adviser from that school.

[sanjayaone]

thanx