Do Top Grad Schools Admit Applicants from Less Selective Colleges?

vig180
Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:18:13 +0000

This topic is interesting to me, since I’m applying from a less-selective college to some top grad programs.

From what I’ve gathered from the professors I’ve talked to in my field (PoliSci/Int’l Affairs), strong GRE scores are important in showing that you’re at the same level as the students from more selective schools. You also apparently need to have a really high GPA too and as always strong recs. and a relevant personal statement.

Beyond that, I’ve been told by so many professors and current grad students (at places around the country) that I’ve come to think this is the real key: make sure your application gets read. Apparently some departments throw away or only hastily glance at applications that come from less selective schools. You need to do everything you can to ensure that someone on the faculty committee is willing to take a look and see what you have to offer. I have no idea if this is true or not and would be interested in what other people think.