vtgrad

Greetings GC'ers: I am preparing to submit my application for a MPP, and am seeking feedback on my drafted addendum. I have seven years of high level policy experience in Congress since my undergrad, which in addition to superb recommendations and essays, I hope will offset a truly abysmal GPA (3.0). I would appreciate any recommendations that you might have for how to strengthen what I have included here. Thanks! I would like to provide the Admissions Committee additional context about my academic performance. Sadly, at the onset of the 2009 fall semester, my mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. For much of my life my mother raised me on her own, which made her diagnosis particularly traumatic for me. Throughout my senior year at XXX, I worked closely with my professors to ensure that I would receive sufficient credit to graduate, however, I set aside many of my academic and extracurricular goals in order to spend time with my family. While my transcript may not indicate my aptitude or knowledge of public policy, I trust that my resume and references speak to my facility. What my transcript does not convey is the personal growth that I underwent as I managed my mother’s medical care, my coursework, and leadership responsibilities. In retrospect, I remain extremely proud of my decision to continue my studies during this difficult time, despite its impact on my academic record. Not only was I able to spend cherished time with my mother, but I gained valuable insight into how to successfully manage multiple commitments, relationships, and self-expectations; a tool which I have applied many times throughout my career. Today, I am prepared to continue applying this experience as I pursue my XXX at XXX, and remain eager to persevere in any circumstance to succeed in my career as a civil servant.

Fuzzylogician, thank you for your response.

I need 2 academic references for my dream Ivy League, however, I have all but entirely lost my connections with my professors since graduating in 2010. I do have a positive relationship with my University Provost and President, but having never completed a thesis or doing research, my references are limited. During my final semester my mother was diagnosed with a terminal illness that plunged me into a deep depression - as well as my GPA to a 2.96. I'm now a senior advisor to the US Senate - so I've done well professionally - but that won't do much for references however. I'm struggling with how to obtain academic references when those relationships no longer exist. Does anyone have suggestions about reforge those connections, or experience with a similar scenario? Thank you!