When applying for Ph.D, everyone is a special case, no one can ever judge people merely by GPA/GT, which may be ONLY a few factors contributing to applications. In order to get an offer, you must meet the qualifications that are totally uncontrolled.
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To be responsible, I don't think you should give the two examples to deny the exsitence of opportunities, even if it is of low possibility. As I said, every case can be considered into special case. We can only keep those cases, successful or failed, as references, but not directions.