Low undergrad GPA, decent MA GPA, can I still get in to PHD?

[lisamckaen]

Hey guys,

So I have a really bad undergraduate GPA (3.16) with my GPA in my MA in IR being 3.67. I also have a few conference presentations and one academic publication. Furthermore, I have some very strong references from both the institute I did my MA at (in Canada) as well as potential references in professors from a few universities in Europe and Asia (worked with them on human rights campaigns/conferences). I want to to do my PhD at a school outside of Canada, so cannot really use the connections I have with my profs here to help sway an admissions committee in my favour.

 

Is there hope that I will be able to get into a decent PhD program in the US or UK (thinking SOAS or Aberyswyth)???? Or should I stick to looking for employment and getting into the workforce instead?

Super confused due to my abysmal grades...

 

 

 

[rwillh11]

If you have a compelling research interest and SOP, do well on the GRE and really do have good letters, I don't think those GPAs are poor enough to make it impossible. As far as doing one in the UK-are you an EU citizen? If not, funding is almost impossible to get (The LSE funds, and sometimes you can get scholarships at Oxbridge). I'm fairly confident (not 100%) that there is little to no funding for foreigners at the SOAS or Aberswyth. 

 

 

 

Is there hope that I will be able to get into a decent PhD program in the US or UK (thinking SOAS or Aberyswyth)???? Or should I stick to looking for employment and getting into the workforce instead?

 

You should really weight the pros and cons of going after a PhD from a decent, but not top-tier program. What do you see yourself doing with a PhD? What outcomes would you require to be happy with doing the PhD. You may have a chance at some ~Top-40 programs, look at their job placement records (They should be on the websites, and be very suspicious if they are not) and decide whether the median and lower placements at these places would be the kinds of jobs you would be OK with. 

[slacktivist]

Yes! I just got into Michigan with your profile. Undergraduate GPA was slightly higher, but I didn't have a publication. The GRE will be important, but if you can get good scores and communicate your research agenda well in your statement of purpose, you should be competitive. The publication and references should make your application stick out.

 

EDITED TO ADD: Also, research fit matters a lot!

Edited April 21, 2015 by slacktivist