General eval request and question about W's on transcripts

[klykii]

I'm finishing up an undergrad in Computer Science from a small private university (not top tier) and will probably be finishing with a 3.1 GPA. My goal is to apply to MA in International Studies/International Development programs focusing on IT development. I have 5 years of full time work experience in international relations, on top of spending 4 months teaching IT in a developing country last year. My GRE score wasn't the best, but not too bad either - 1200.

I'm fairly confident in my professional experience but I'm worried about my GPA getting in the way, on top of which I have 7 Ws and 1 F (retaken for a C+) . The Ws can be explained due to medical issues, but I'm wondering how much this is going to impact my admissions. Is it worth applying to the "reach" schools (Stanford, Georgetown) with those on my transcripts?

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

[neuropsychosocial]

I'm fairly confident in my professional experience but I'm worried about my GPA getting in the way, on top of which I have 7 Ws and 1 F (retaken for a C+) . The Ws can be explained due to medical issues, but I'm wondering how much this is going to impact my admissions. Is it worth applying to the "reach" schools (Stanford, Georgetown) with those on my transcripts?

Whether your application will be considered at reach schools is probably very discipline-specific, so you might receive more accurate advice on the forum for your intended field. I suspect that it won't sink your application, but it may make it more challenging to make the first round of cuts. I had a similar situation - 8 Ws out of 10 courses one year due to an illness that nearly killed me and left me with a physical disability - and I included a brief statement with three of my six applications that mentioned the illness only once and concentrated on what I learned through the experience, especially that I am not superhuman and have learned to cut myself some slack. Two of my schools asked specifically if I felt that my grades/test scores reflected my abilities, and I included the statement with one other application that didn't ask for it. Interestingly, those were the three schools that offered me interviews: I heard nothing from the other three. Two of the programs that offered me interviews are among the most prestigious in my field, with one moderately so. I didn't hear from one program that is highly ranked; one moderate; and one not as highly regarded.

I suspect 7 Ws and an F do need to be explained; if you can do so in a manner that displays maturity and growth, without throwing yourself a pity party, it may allow your application to be evaluated on your other merits. It's likely that someone somewhere will be understanding, and it's also likely that someone somewhere will not be understanding, and it's hard to predict in advance which places will be which.

[qbtacoma]

Yes. You have, perhaps, the best reason possible for W grades (that is, no one will doubt your character/ability to handle stress with this reason). Unless the programs explicitly say they won't admit anyone with grades lower than 3.X, X>1, you are more than competitive. Just make sure you explain the bad patch in your SOP. A sentence or two will do it.