I got into a good PhD program through solid GRE subject test scores & okay recommendation letters (one glowing, with a cavaet), despite my 2.83 final GPA from a

I got into a good PhD program through solid GRE subject test scores & okay recommendation letters (one glowing, with a cavaet), despite my 2.83 final GPA from an ok state school (rank maybe ~100?) - my in-major GPA was a little lower, since I had 3 Fs in my majors. I had to toil in the Masters program first, but after proving myself, I transferred into the PhD program proper. Had I not had an unfortunate issue that arose (non-academic that ended up affecting academic performance), I would have netted a PhD from a top 15 program in mathematics. Instead I ended up leaving graduate school after 4 years. It ended up being a blessing - it ultimately helped honed my hard work and made me more receptive to adopting new passions. I'm now in Silicon Valley as a quite successful & very high demand developer after only ~2 years in the field & being self-taught.