GPA ?

[EA-6B1]

Ok, let me explain. I just finished my sophomore year in college. I was an engineering major my whole freshman yea, but after my spring semester of my freshman yea I realized it wasn't for me. I took chemistry, calculus, and programming for engineers all in one semester. Needless to say, I sucked it up then, and I'm still hurting from it. I got my grades back for this past semester and I made the Dean's list, but still my overall GPA is a 2.65. I know that's not very competitive, but one must understand the cirumstances. I'm not a stupid guy, and I know that my GPA can break 3.0, but here's my dilemma. I would like to get with an OSO sometime this summer while I'm out of school. I know that he'll take last semesters overall GPA and it'll be that 2.65 trash. I want to talk to him this summer so I can get a packet in and get physically in shape. My questions is: If I went ahead and talked with an OSO this summer, could we wait to send my package at the end of next semester? Or is the few points on my GPA worth risking going up for the boards 2/3 months before OCS opposed to submitting my packet this summer? PLEASE HELP!

- Quote on being selected for an OCS spot -
"If you are chosen, you will have been chosen by Men 'who have been there and done that' and have decided that they wished to have you in Their company, there is no such medal worth as much."

 

[uncledave]

EA6B1,
If I were you, I would go ahead and submit if you are already qualified. I know you got a 2.65 but the PLC program only requires a 2.0 if I am not mistaken. Plus, you have taken some hard classes that you can say brought your GPA down. If you kick ass on the ASTB, then they will know you are smart anyways, so don't worry about that. Also, can you get a 260 or higher on the PFT? If so, I would highly recommend putting in an application. Just try it dude! What do you got to lose? If you don't get selected, try again when you get better grades. Call up your OSO as soon as possible! Good luck!

Dave

"beware of what you wish for" -what the Chinese say....

 

[jaerose]

That's right...submit the package now. The worst that could happen is that you might not get it now and have to re-submit later. Nothing to lose...

JR

 

[EA-6B1]

Good call!

- Quote on being selected for an OCS spot -
"If you are chosen, you will have been chosen by Men 'who have been there and done that' and have decided that they wished to have you in Their company, there is no such medal worth as much."

 

[Adrenaline Rush]

agreed, a kid from my OSO got accepted with 2.25, my captain at the OSO had 2.4 when he submitted,

"And on the 8th day the Marines took over the globe and have been runnin it ever since"

 

[DBLang]

Just curious EA-6B, why didnt you like engineering?

 

[EA-6B1]

DBLang- Engineering really wasn't my thing. Everything was theoretical... use this calculus formula to see how many times this lever can withstand this amount of weight. Nothing hands on. It was all on paper. I did like CAD (computer aided design) class though. I mean I dont hate the profession, but it just isn't me. Plus, I was ok at Calculus, but not good enough to learn Cal 1,2,3, Diff E (Differential Equations), and another Math Elective all at the college pace of teaching. So that's it in a nut shell. If you're real good at science and math, then I would defintely advise you towards that field of study. The pay is good, but the course work it rigorous. My $.02

- Quote on being selected for an OCS spot -
"If you are chosen, you will have been chosen by Men 'who have been there and done that' and have decided that they wished to have you in Their company, there is no such medal worth as much."

 

[jaerose]

Sweet, I guess that means my Physics degre will allow me to be somewhat successful at an Aero. Eng. Masters...because I've had all those math classes and some others to boot...involuntary math minor.

JR

 

[EA-6B1]

Will they take my overall GPA or the last semester's GPA?

- Quote on being selected for an OCS spot -
"If you are chosen, you will have been chosen by Men 'who have been there and done that' and have decided that they wished to have you in Their company, there is no such medal worth as much."

 

[wildflyin69]

yeah..my graduating GPA is going to be a 2.3..horrible horrible stuff, mostly stemmed from laziness that I recovered from but am paying for. I kicked butt on the ASTB (8/9) and am trying to get that 300 PFT (got the 20 pullups and 100 crunches, just got to get that stupid run time down one more minute), a few well placed letters of recommendation then a lot of hard-core praying. This is my plan and I'm hoping the Marines will see it as something to consider...I'm also trying to get a few more flight hours under my belt over the summer before I send my application. does anyone else have any suggestions? Thanks..

"Push the stick foward, the houses get bigger; pull back, the houses get smaller... unless you keep pulling back, then they get bigger again."

 

[uncledave]

EA-6B1,
They will look at your GPA from all the college work you have taken(cummulative), but they will also look at each semester's GPA just to see if there is a trend or pattern in you course work(decling or rising grades). For example, if your GPA is a 2.5 and your last semester's grades were a 3.0, then that would be good.

Wildfyin69,
Even though your GPA is probably below the average of most selectees, I still think you have a good chance of being seleted for USMC OCS on your first try. Your ASTB scores are excellent and your PFT score is excellent as well(both are probably higher than most selectees). Having flight time will only help you even more. I think that those three things will offset the below average GPA. Submit as soon as possible! Good luck!

Dave

"beware of what you wish for" -what the Chinese say....

 

[jaerose]

Yeah, if you can show you're motivated now and are making up for slacking off, then you'll have a good shot. Make sure your motivational statement is very sincere and let your personality and charisma come through in your interviews so they know you've got more than just book smarts to share...make them feel like the USMC needs you as an officer.

JR

 

[perchul]

I've be come convinced that the Corps is full of smart officers who weren't motivated by college, my belief is that the people who select us understand that and furthermore the selection board is made up of people who in the same positions we are now (again I'm assuming and praying). So just do everything you can the best you can...its the only possible remedy.

Tolerance only benefits the weak

 

[gq]

When does the board meet for OCC 184?

 

[perchul]

The board meets in august I don't think the exact dates have been set yet, but count on early August since I was told I should know in August.

Tolerance only benefits the weak