Profile Evaluation - MPhil/MSc in Political Theory

[in praxis]

Hi all,

I'd appreciate some insight into my chances for Oxford's MPhil in Politics (Political Theory) and LSE's MSc in Political Theory.

 

Undergrad Institution: a top 65 liberal arts school according to US News (i.e., a middle of the road school)
Major(s): Philosophy
Minor(s): N/A
GPA in Major: 3.84
Overall GPA: 3.71
Position in Class: Near the top, I'm assuming--but no data available
Type of Student: Domestic non-under represented minority, male

Research Experience: 

- An 18,000 word senior thesis

- A 10,000 word junior thesis

- Conducted research with a non-profit on housing policy in state X. Co-authored a report that will be published and read by state X legislators in the next state X legislative session

- Research assistant for my school's department of philosophy; contributed to work that will be housed at the University of Texas at Austin--but I probably will not have a by-line

Awards/Honors/Recognitions: 

- Awarded highest grade on senior thesis 

- Awarded highest grade on junior thesis

- Awarded a departmental prize for showing outstanding promise as a philosopher--one of two recipients

- Awarded a scholarship particular to one upperclassmen philosophy major on the basis of academic excellence and demonstrated financial need

- Dean's Scholarship all four years

- Dean's List all years except freshman year (first two semesters)

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: 

- TA x2--not in philosophy or political science, unfortunately

- Founding member of two student-led social justice organizations

- Senior Intern for the Office of Admissions; interviewed prospective students and wrote reports assessing their worthiness for admittance  

Any Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:

- Invited to speak on a student and faculty panel for the college's Board of Trustees

- Gave a speech to hundreds of incoming first-years in a summer orientation session

- Organized and co-led an on-campus event on consensual sexual and romantic relationships
 

[JGradSchool]

UK universities care mostly about your grades and relevant experience, they tend to gloss over everything else. You'll probably get into LSE, assuming you have the money to pay for tuition and rent. Oxford will be tougher; I'm not sure of your chances because you just about make the cut with an overall GPA of 3.7 but also carry some research experience. It's worth applying, but, keep in mind that Oxford will have a lot of applications from people with 4.0s or the equivalent of 4.0+ and experience, so it will be tough competition. 

[in praxis]

21 hours ago, JGradSchool said:

UK universities care mostly about your grades and relevant experience, they tend to gloss over everything else. You'll probably get into LSE, assuming you have the money to pay for tuition and rent. Oxford will be tougher; I'm not sure of your chances because you just about make the cut with an overall GPA of 3.7 but also carry some research experience. It's worth applying, but, keep in mind that Oxford will have a lot of applications from people with 4.0s or the equivalent of 4.0+ and experience, so it will be tough competition. 

Thanks for the candid response, JGradSchool! I figured my chances at Oxford are slim, but it's reassuring to hear that it's at least worth applying to the program. Do you have any insight into whether Oxford considers overall GPA at the expense of one's academic trajectory over their four years? I had a lousy freshman year, and if those grades didn't count I would have a ~3.91GPA. To be sure, I don't expect that my freshman grades will be discounted. But I would hope that admissions folks might look kindly upon the fact that I've done quite well in my last three years of undergrad. My greatest hope would be that the application reviewers might put more faith in my academic ability than they would into a student whose grades have remained consistently at 3.7 throughout their time in undergrad.

Edited August 13, 2018 by _izzythekid_
edited for clarity

[JGradSchool]

On 8/13/2018 at 7:07 PM, _izzythekid_ said:

Thanks for the candid response, JGradSchool! I figured my chances at Oxford are slim, but it's reassuring to hear that it's at least worth applying to the program. Do you have any insight into whether Oxford considers overall GPA at the expense of one's academic trajectory over their four years? I had a lousy freshman year, and if those grades didn't count I would have a ~3.91GPA. To be sure, I don't expect that my freshman grades will be discounted. But I would hope that admissions folks might look kindly upon the fact that I've done quite well in my last three years of undergrad. My greatest hope would be that the application reviewers might put more faith in my academic ability than they would into a student whose grades have remained consistently at 3.7 throughout their time in undergrad.

1

It's more about how you finish, so if your gpa is higher at the end they should look at you more favourably. Definitely apply, you've got a good chance of getting in if you meet the requirements.