Worth reapplying to policy programs again? (Very) bad transcript...

[ConcernedApplicant]

Hi everyone! Sorry for any grammar mistakes. English is not my native language. I’ve been a long-time lurker of this forum. Decided it’s time to finally post a few concerns/questions I had.

Background: I am a 28-year-old woman interested in applying to MPP/MPA programs in America. I graduated from a large state college in California in 2013 with a degree in economics and biostatistics. However, I BOMBED college. No excuse- I joined too many clubs, had health problems, and just made some aweful mistakes leading to poor time management. As a result, I graduated with a low GPA (3.0), with several Cs, Ds, and Fs on my transcript (mostly in biostatistics ). I took the GRE and did average (165 V -> 96%, 158 Q -> 67%, 5.0 AW -> 92%).

Since graduating, I've spent 7 yrs with NGO consulting organisations to help local human rights advocacy NGOs build stronger programs and partnerships with local governments, both in America and my native country in eastern Europe. Now I’m back in America, working with a human rights advocacy expert (and professor of a very elite private institute in California) to conduct research on the impact of public-private partnerships in the eastern European human rights space. After these experiences, I want to go to public policy school to expand my knowledge of shaping policy in the human rights arena.

With that said, I recently applied to two MPA/MPP programs and got dinged from both (SAIS and SIPA). I really believe my grades were the culprit. My letters of recommendation were from my current supervisor (the professor I’m working with, also an alumnus of one of the two schools); and my 2 former managers from my previous organisations.

I’m now wondering whether to re-apply next year. My top schools would be SAIS, SIPA, Fletcher, and Ford. I may add 1-2 more realistic options.

Now, I wanted to ask the Grad Café Community if you believe that a horrible transcript can be overcome? If yes, then what would be a suitable path forward (i.e. take more quants classes)? If no, then how difficult is it to grow in human rights space without a master’s degree? I want to work for a large human rights advocacy organisation (like Amnesty, Human Rights Watch, etc.) but the mid-level positions and above all require a masters.

Thanks for reading my long post! Your thoughts would be very welcome.

Concerned Applicant

[Ceebz]

I definitely think it's worth reapplying. After 7 years, your experience should be more important than your transcript. I would make your SOPs very school-specific and clearly indicate exactly what you want from them, what you can contribute, and how your experiences fit your future plans. In terms of the bad grades, I think the best bet is to be upfront and explain, and then show how you've succeeded in areas you may have failed classes (for example, quantitative work you've done since graduating). Having a really strong GRE score will also help you-- admissions staff at SIPA told me that if an applicant doesn't have a very obvious quant background they value the score more.

I think it also matters which schools you apply to. I don't have any inside knowledge, but the two you mentioned (SAIS and SIPA) don't have reputations for being super holistic in reviewing applications (that doesn't mean they aren't, just not their reputation). In my experience applying/talking with admissions staff/meeting students, two schools that are quite holistic in their approach and accept applicants with varying backgrounds and academic histories etc. are Fletcher and Chicago Harris. Check those out!

[ConcernedApplicant]

@Ceebz Just wanted to say thanks for your reply- it restored a lot of hope :) I forgot to mention that I had also applied to Harris in January, which I honestly thought would be a huge stretch given its quantitative focus. However, I was accepted to the MPP program last week with 35k funding! I am honestly so shocked (and happy). Whatever my final decision is, I'm relieved to know that it is possible to get into a top policy school despite having a less-than-stellar academic record!

[Ceebz]

@ConcernedApplicant Oh hey I got into the Harris MPP as well!!! Maybe I'll see you there