Please evaluate for HKS, Harris, GPPI, Sanford, SPA

[MartianQ]

Schools applying to: HKS, Chicago Harris, GPPI, Duke Sanford, American SPA

Undergraduate institution: Top 100 liberal arts (US News ranking), graduated 2009

Undergraduate GPA: 3.1

Undergraduate majors: International Relations; Political Science; History (yes, 3)

GRE scores: 760 Q 700 V 5.5 writing

Work experience: 2 years working for a company in Europe that helps cultural exchange projects secure EU funding

Do you think I have a chance for the first 4? (American is my safety). I know my GPA is abysmal, but I was hoping this would be offset by my 3 majors and high GRE score.

What do you think? Any input will be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Edited October 28, 2011 by MartianQ

[JAubrey]

No chance at HKS

Slim to none at GPPI and Duke

Reach at Harris

50/50 at American.

[mv0027]

this is for MPA right? Not PhD?

I disagree. Work experience is important. These schools will appreciate an American that got a job in Europe, assuming the company is legit and more or less reputable. Professional schools need applicants and money. They inflate the admission figures on their websites significantly. I think you have a good chance at getting into all these schools, minus HKS.

Also depends on why your GPA was low. If it is based off your freshman and soph years, just be sure to explain that and tell them your GPA from your last two years.

[disintegrate]

For MPP, I think you stand an excellent chance in all these schools

Edited October 29, 2011 by disintegrate

[cannotdecide]

If you guys don't mind, would love to be evaluated as well since I am applying to similar schools:

Schools applying to: HKS, Chicago Harris, GPPI, Columbia SIPA, Brown, and looking to add...

Undergraduate institution: Top 10 liberal arts college

Undergraduate GPA: 3.37 (much higher in my last two years)

Undergraduate majors: Poli Sci-IR, minor: south asia studies

GRE scores: 680 Q 520 V (ouch) 5.5 writing

Work experience: 2 years: Fulbright Fellow, + extensive internships in large NGOs, congressional office, and consulting abroad.

Misc,: Speak 4 additional languages (one I studied as an award from the state department)), been to 21 countries, studied abroad in two countries in the middle east, have taken micro, macro, stat, math (though not high grades in any), journalist for a paper, highest (multiple) leadership positions in college that range from editorial, academic, governance, to cultural.