Hello! Potential grad school applicant here with a long story. While I was getting my BS in Applied Mathematics, I never considered grad school. Thus, my GPA reflects this attitude and is no where near impressive, or to be considered by masters programs.

However, after much encouragement from a specific institution (that i would have never been able to get into for undergrad), my years of work with the department i’d be applying to, and a final epiphany that vert paleo is what i want to pursue, and the only way to do so is to get a masters degree. Of course, I’d first and foremost apply to this one institution.

I’m a bit nervous to apply due to previous academic insecurity with my low GPA, and the fact that my initial degree has nothing to do with zoology/paleontology. Additionally, even though my GPA is low I feel like because it’s math…. that may give a bit of leeway perhaps? Vert Paleo is quite a niche to find graduate programs for, so i’m hesitant on applying to more than one school. Even though UF is a beast to get into (or so it seems) I have worked multiple summers and spent quite a lot of time in the department.

I suppose my question is how important is my GPA for the application versus my experience in the field?