The Student Room Group

lower GPA, but good recs, work experience for KCL & LSE??

Hi all,

Been stressing out the last two weeks, as my professor has been extremely slow about turning in his letters of recommendation to complete my apps to KCL and LSE.

Anyway, here are my stats:

3.1 GPA from a top 15 school in the U.S. (International Relations), with good letters of recommendation and solid (or so I think) personal statement

2 years of solid work experience at a top foreign-policy related think tank in DC (started as soon as I graduated), as well as summer internships at the government policy office of an international company

I'm US citizen, but have lived Japan for many years as well (am Japanese-American). I also have experience doing volunteer work in Thailand, and studied abroad for a semester in China.

I know GPA-wise, my getting into LSE is a bit of a long-shot, but how much do they weigh GPA with your work experience/rec letters/personal statement? I think King's College said they want a minimum of 3.25, while LSE wanted a 3.5...

Any enlightenment on the matter would be helpful. Thanks! :s-smilie:
Reply 1
js888
Hi all,

Been stressing out the last two weeks, as my professor has been extremely slow about turning in his letters of recommendation to complete my apps to KCL and LSE.

Anyway, here are my stats:

3.1 GPA from a top 15 school in the U.S. (International Relations), with good letters of recommendation and solid (or so I think) personal statement

2 years of solid work experience at a top foreign-policy related think tank in DC (started as soon as I graduated), as well as summer internships at the government policy office of an international company

I'm US citizen, but have lived Japan for many years as well (am Japanese-American). I also have experience doing volunteer work in Thailand, and studied abroad for a semester in China.

I know GPA-wise, my getting into LSE is a bit of a long-shot, but how much do they weigh GPA with your work experience/rec letters/personal statement? I think King's College said they want a minimum of 3.25, while LSE wanted a 3.5...

Any enlightenment on the matter would be helpful. Thanks! :s-smilie:


What course are you applying for?
Reply 2
Whoops, forgot to specify:

MA in Int'l Relations at KCL, and MSc in Politics and Government in the EU at LSE..
Reply 3
js888
Whoops, forgot to specify:

MA in Int'l Relations at KCL, and MSc in Politics and Government in the EU at LSE..


From my experience with UK universities, i believe that you are at a slight disadvantage because the GPA is what really matters. Unlike the US where softs make a difference. However, i think you have a good chance at KCL, at LSE, i think you should contact them and present your argument for admittance otherwise you might be automatically disqualified.

So, you are pretty close to making it at KCL. LSE is a little bit more stringent with their minimum requirements.

Good luck.
Reply 4
Would I need to phone them/email them directly? Or is explaining the circumstances of my academics in my personal statement enough?

Thanks for your help! I just received confirmation that my prof finalllllllllly turned in the KCL rec! :smile:
I'd be tempted to get in touch directly, because your risk them not going beyond your grades.
Reply 6
That's true..
What would be the best way to present my case to them? I think I thoroughly explain it in my personal statement; would they be annoyed that I'm reiterating the points I make in my essay?

I wrote that my grades were horrible in the first half of my college career, but I've since pulled them up. I also go into my employment history and how I've learned from the policy makers I've worked closely with, etc. etc...

My rec letters may go into that as well, so not sure how many times I should repeat it to them. :s-smilie:
Hi There,I am in your same shoes at the moment, lower GPA from Canadian University but with strong working experience from major global banks. I am curious how you resolved your situation with the LSE. I am super keen to enroll there as I know I can handle their graduate program though I had lower GPA in my undergrad.I am looking to enroll in Social Finance programs.Any pointers for a successful application will be greatly appreciated!Thank you,TK

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