Hi!
I am an English/American student who attends a small, private liberal arts school in Boston, MA. I would like to return to the UK for graduate school after I finish my undergrad degree. I have just finished my Sophomore year with a 3.32 GPA. I have been a teaching assistant, a member of Student Government officer for the past two years, a club president for the past two years, VP of Model UN for the past two years, and a member of the Mock Trial team for the past two years.
Do graduate schools consider extra-circulars as important? Will it offset my GPA? I want to study European Politics. How would I convert my GPA to the British system?
Any help you could provide would be much appreciated.
Many thanks!
Graduate schools do not look at ECs in particular, but if it is relevant to your subject it may be a factor. For example, you have been a research assistant. If that research was in European politics, then it adds to your depth of knowledge on the subject- so, relevant. If it is on the migratory pattern of birds, then no.
The courses that you have taken that relate to European politics- the nature, the grades, and the level- will count most. Some UK unis will tell you the GPA they want; for the others just contact them. There is no single number that unis want, and often there will be separate standards -one for overall GPA and one for courses in your major. As a rule of thumb, a 3.5 GPA = 2.1
For a Master’s, recommendations and - especially - the ‘why this Masters’ essay are very important.