Poor UG grades applying to top masters programs...

[bb1235]

I'm currently enrolled in a MS economics program at a competitive but not great university.  My undergraduate grades (at a top 25 school) were terrible (2.3).  I've had some really difficult personal issues and overcame a great deal (I'm disabled but through a lot of effort, I can manage a pretty normal life).  I have a 4.0 in my masters program and had near perfect GRE scores (170Q, 168V, 6 AW).  I'm looking into transferring to a top econ masters program or applying to top MS finance programs if I don't find a job I really want.  I'm a bit older than most of my classmates so my poor UG grades occurred nearly a decade ago.  Do I have any chance at getting into a top grad program or are the grades just too much of a hurdle?  I have excellent recommendations and what I think is a compelling story.  I also interview and write well.  

Edited April 26, 2013 by bb1235

[Monochrome Spring]

I think that the growth from undergraduate to masters, and also your other accomplishments since undergrad, will be much more influential than your undergraduate grades. You look like a strong applicant! 

[MikKar]

I will reiterate what keawood said. Emphasize on your growth between the time when you were an under-graduate student and the time you were a graduate student working towards your Masters.

 

Now, this will depend on the admissions committee, but it's possible they'll still put more weight on your UG scores than your Masters' score (possibly because GPAs in Masters tend to be slightly inflated). Your GRE scores will obviously not be a reason to cut off your application so no worries on that. Assuming your LORs are strong and that your SOP is rock-solid, there is no reason why you wouldn't make it. From what you are telling us, I think you have enough material to compensate and even put your UG scores aside (though obviously that may also depend on the adcom, if the guy reading your application is just hellbent on looking at UG scores, well...).

 

As a side-note : would you not need a GMAT score, rather than a GRE ? Or maybe I am completely off the mark...