Making up for bad GPA with work experience

[KenBesonders]

Hello all,

 

This might be more applicable to the "Am I Competitive" thread but I felt my question is specific enough to follow forward.

 

I plan on applying for graduate school to enroll in the fall of 2016. So I would be applying during the fall of 2015. The main schools on my list right now are American SIS, Syracuse Maxwell, GWU Elliott, Columbia SIPA and Johns Hopkins SAIS. (SAIS and SIPA very hopeful)

 

Anyways, my GPA is standing around a 3.0 cumulative with a 3.4 in my major. (International studies) I graduated in 2013 and since then, I have interned with an NGO at the United Nations, worked about a half year in marketing and worked about 4 months as a staff writer for a non-profit (Politics and Federal Affairs). Would combining all of my work experience, total three years before I would enroll, be enough to offset my GPA? I know this might sound hopeful but I want to try to be competitive for funding.

 

My GRE scores might be the deciding factor if that would be the case. I did assist in research for two professors who published two papers in peer reviewed journals, if that helps at all.

 

*Side note: I did apply for graduate school in fall of 2013 and was accepted by Pitt GSPIA and Denver Korbel while rejected by American and GWU. GRE was 156 V, 148 Q and 5.5 A.

Edited January 5, 2015 by KenBesonders

[ZebraFinch]

You can't do much about your GPA, so if were in your position, I'd study the heck out of the GRE, get higher scores in V (which isn't bad but not spectacular) and Q, and your AW is solid anyway. Of course your work experience is great, but you still have a lot of time to improve the GRE.

[leon32]

My guess is you will get in, but will not probably be that competitive for funding based on my own experiences with a 3.11 GPA.

[KenBesonders]

My guess is you will get in, but will not probably be that competitive for funding based on my own experiences with a 3.11 GPA.

That what I sometimes fear, aside from great GRE scores, is there anything else one can do that can emphasize that they can be a competitive student despite a lackluster GPA? Like something on a resume or application that really stands out?

[leon32]

At some schools it is possible to get higher funding the second year. Also, while I didn't get offered much funding with my GPA, I did get offered some, and there are some fellowships and scholarships for specific things you can look for at schools themselves and elsewhere.

[KenBesonders]

At some schools it is possible to get higher funding the second year. Also, while I didn't get offered much funding with my GPA, I did get offered some, and there are some fellowships and scholarships for specific things you can look for at schools themselves and elsewhere.

 

That is good to hear. Please let me clarify that I am by no means expecting a full-ride (though I want to shoot for it) and that finding some funding opportunities outside of loans would be favorable. I do see that Syracuse Maxwell does hand out a fair amount of funding, so if I can up my GRE scores I think I could stand a fighting chance.

Edited January 11, 2015 by KenBesonders

[Glitter1nTheAir]

I was really worried about my undergrad academics as well - 3.16 cumulative GPA / 2.7 major GPA (BA Integrative Biology) and did not have a letter of rec from an academic source. 

 

Was I sure surprised when I heard back from my first choice school (UW Evans) - an acceptance with a good amount of funding!

 

I did do reasonably well on the GRE - 161 V, 162 Q, 4.5 W and had gained some experience with student organizations while in undergrad and am currently in AmeriCorps (I applied with not even a year of full time work experience). I'm SURE your work experience will add a lot to your application.

 

Hopefully this makes you feel better about your chances to not only get in, but get funding

Edited January 12, 2015 by Glitter1nTheAir