<p>Because of personal issues, I had a tumultuous undergrad stint at a top 5 school. Luckily there's an upward trend, but I'm afraid a sub 3.0 GPA just kills my chance at the schools I want even if I got an extremely high GRE score.</p>
<p>Before I dive into studying and buying all kinds of study guides, should I even try?</p>
<p>I really want to go to NYU Wagner or even Columbia's SIPA for a masters in public policy/administration or public affairs. </p>
<p>Kennedy (harvard) or Wilson (Princeton) would be amazing but not sure if it's worth the application fee.</p>
<p>Would also consider schools in DC.</p>
<p>Do you have work experience? The way you said you “had” an undergrad stint makes me think that you are out of undergrad. Getting into these schools with no work experience is difficult even if you do have a decent GPA. With a sub-3.0 GPA, it’s going to be nearly impossible. So if you don’t have work experience, get some first.</p>
<p>Actually, that’s most of my advice - the more time and experience you have between that 2.9 GPA and your point of application into a graduate school, the less it will matter. So do some interesting and relevant things in between now and when you plan to apply. You may have to put it off some years, but that’s fine because public policy schools like to see that. You may even take some graduate-level classes as a non-degree student at a public policy program nearby you, to prove that you can excel on the graduate level.</p>
<p>I have two years of experience at two different law firms. I’m trying to switch now to a non-profit related job. I also have some volunteering experience but will commit to a lot more between now and applying.</p>
<p>I’m also wondering if I get a high GRE score and present an explanation for my low GPA if that might offset it.</p>
<p>The thing is I’m already 25. I’m hoping for a career in politics or policy work by my mid-30s. I’m not sure how much longer I want to put off grad school when I’ve already taken some time off of undergrad. On the other hand, it might be unwise to rush into applying for schools I have a very slim chance of getting into.</p>
<p>It all leads to worrying and stress lately :-</p>
<p>There are many schools that will still consider you if you have a 3.0 over the span of your junior and senior years. I just looked at SUNY Binghamton, and that’s the case for them. The SUNY system may not be considered Ivy League, but a degree is a degree.</p>