Ms.Jennings

Hey all, LONG-time lurker here. Mainly adding to this conversation so that future stress-balls like me can have a little reassurance. I was super intimidated by peoples' stats on this thread and last year's and thought there was no chance in hell that I would get into my top choice (NPSIA) let alone get funding. Well, I was WRONG. I had a 3.43 CGPA from McGill with around a 3.6 in my last two years. Nothing special. Low GPA in my second year due to an ill-advised attempt at adding a Bio major to my Poli Sci major degree. Graduated with B.A Honours in Poli Sci with a Bio minor. I did a 3rd year field study semester in East Africa, with a casual internship in Nairobi afterwards and interned at the Clinton Foundation after graduating. Also did a fair amount of travelling but no gov. work experience or UN experience etc. My reference letters were probably pretty average - didn't have a special connection with either prof and one of them probably doesn't even know what I look like. Anyhow, got accepted first round at NPSIA with my top choice specialization (Intelligence and International Affairs) and $16,000 in funding. I also just got accepted to GSPIA with $12,000 in funding. So for future peeps thinking of applying and feeling discouraged, don't be!! It's always worth a shot! (P.S - still waiting on Munk but I'll probably accept NPSIA)