What REALLY matters: work experience OR academic record?

Graduate School
1

<p>Here’s the deal: </p>

<p>I had always been a pretty good student in University and before (As/Bs, maybe an occasional C in math/science - 3rd Tier school). Prior to uni, I played music semi-professionally (toured on a well-known rock tour).</p>

<p>In my junior-ish year, I got involved with politics for the first time. I was obsessed. That year, I failed every one of my classes. I just stopped showing up, then started getting anxious, and then it all snowballed. I was diagnosed with depression the following May but I could not get a medical withdrawal and was dismissed from the university. </p>

<p>I now hold a well-paid appointed position in the administration of an elected official with a medium-sized constituency (I am in my early 20s). I also successfully ran the campaign of said politician. I went back to finish my degree at another small, private college. I ended up with a 4.0 and won the award for my major (this school doesn’t add in transfer grades to GPAs) </p>

<p>I also recently became an American citizen. </p>

<p>I would like to apply to graduate school. I’m looking solely at prestigious programs. I’m surrounded by people who went to Ivys and top-ranking schools. I understand that these schools provide powerful networks and - I may get flamed for saying this - top educational brands really matter to people in my field. I’m interested in an MPP or Comparative Politics, IR, Political Comm, ect. </p>

<p>My academic record is interesting but I’ve excelled professionally. What are my chances at say Oxbridge, LSE, Harvard (a stretch, I know), NYU, Columbia, Georgetown, American, ect?</p>

2

<p>Nobody can “chance” you for graduate school, but I would think that your record of academic improvement and significant work experience make you at least a plausible candidate. How you would stack up against others applying to those hypercompetitive schools is impossible to say.</p>

3

<p>It’s not an either/or question. Both of them matter. But you have a 4.0 from your most recent attempt and you have good experiences; you can easily explain your bad year with the fact that you were sick and you have good performance before then. So apply and see what happens.</p>