<p>Background:
-UC San Diego Political Science Grad, GPA was 3.91</p>
<p>Work:
-Academic policy Institute internship
-5 years experience at big name, 'prestigious' consulting firms in California and D.C., doing some really interesting work for some interesting government clients.
-Part time 'Fellowship' graduate level study</p>
<p>Aspirations:
I'm interested in an MPA/MPP 2013 Program. (Harvard/HKS, Princeton WWS, Columbia SIPA - backup ideas would be SAIS because it's down the street, or Berkeley because California is home.)</p>
<p>The Problem:
Before I transferred to my Undergrad, I attended Community College part-time for years. (Life got in the way of my college ambitions, I was working multiple day/night jobs to pay family bills, and my grades suffered. My GPA from CC #1 was 2.8, and from CC #2 was 3.0)</p>
<p>How much of an impact do you think abysmal CC grades (prior to undergrad) will have in an otherwise solid application to these more 'elite' institutions? (As you can tell, I'm quite insecure about this from a grad-school perspective)</p>
<p>They will not matter one bit. Many, many graduate students attended community colleges - myself included. Never, ever feel inferior for it. You have a great overall GPA and a strong resume. There is no reason you can’t be a competitive candidate anywhere.</p>
<p>By the way, a 3.0 GPA is not “abysmal” by any measure.</p>
<p>Most graduate school applications will ask you to submit transcripts from every institution attended so more likely than not, they will see those grades. But with a 3.91 GPA at a 4-year university, I think you more than proved that your CC grades do not represent your academic abilities. I’d say you have a good of a shot as anyone else. Good job on turning things around!</p>
<p>Really ^ high school too? I didnt know that…</p>
<p>Sent from my SGH-T959V using CC</p>
<p>All that grad school will care about is:</p>
<p>3.91 from a 4-year school</p>
<p>…as far as the grades.</p>
<p>No not high school. Sorry I should have clarified. Only post-secondary institutions (higher education).</p>
<p>They will care more about your most recent grades/capabilities, which will also be the more relevant coursework. You have demonstrated a strong upward trend. Do not stress over the CC stats.</p>
<p>Your work experience is going to be far more important than your GPA. You have a great UGPA, excellent work experience, probably great references - your CC experience won’t matter at all.</p>