Higher GPA in undergrad than in MA

[tchotchkies]

I have a high GPA from a good university for undergrad, along with extracurriculars, etc. However, after that I did my MA in a foreign country (UK) and took several courses outside my major (history instead of English). The program was only 1 year, so there wasn't much time to off-set those marks. As a result, my MA grades are simply average. How/where do I explain this in my applications? When realistically looking at applying to schools, should I use my undergraduate or graduate results as a guide to which places might accept me? Obviously, program/professor fit, recommendation letters, the writing sample, and the statement of purpose are all huge variables that will affect my chances of getting in anywhere, but I'm wondering to what extent my (relatively) low MA results might hold me back. Applications are expensive and time-consuming, and I want to get this right after all the work I'm putting in!

For those feeling that specifics are necessary before you can give any sort of educated guess, here are my stats:

Undergrad: University of Texas at Austin

• Majors: English, Psychology
• GPA: 3.89
• Honors: High Honors (Top 10%), Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Dean's List
• (Undergrad also included a year of study abroad at St. Anne's College [Oxford University], and the grades are factored into the GPA above)
• Extracurriculars: Tutoring for underprivileged kids, Team leader in religious club, rowing at Oxford, drama at Oxford, membership in various clubs)

MA: King's College, University of London

• Major: Nineteenth-Century Studies
• Result: Pass with Merit
• Dissertation Result: Pass with Merit (which was frustrating as it was a lower mark than the grader told me to expect after reading a near-final draft, but it is what it is)
• Extracurriculars: Tutoring for underprivileged kids, International Student Ambassador

Other Education (after MA): Austin Community College

• Studied: French 3, French 4 (to prepare for language requirements of a PhD Program)
• GPA: 4.0

GRE: Verbal 170 (99th percentile), Quantitative 160 (81st percentile), Writing 6.0 (99th percentile)

GRE Literature Subject Test: 660 (85th percentile)

Publications: None (Yikes! I know!)

Work Experience in Education:

• Academic Mentor for University Student-Athletes (1 year)
• Teacher (3 years)

Edited November 14, 2016 by tchotchkies
Adding information

[ExponentialDecay]

Oh come on. You got merit.

At this point, it hinges on your writing sample, SOP, and letters. The merit/distinction issue is tangential.

[tchotchkies]

ExponentialDecay, thanks. I'm just freaked out because I haven't applied in years and the last round didn't go well, so I want everything to be as perfect as humanly possible. The writing sample's great, the SOP is a hot mess, and the letters are outside of my control, so I'm fretting. 

Edited November 16, 2016 by tchotchkies