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> From: "Beattie,S" <S.Beattie@lse.ac.uk>
> Date: April 7, 2016 at 10:44:55 AM EDT
> To: "nbiden@sas.upenn.edu" <nbiden@sas.upenn.edu>
> Subject: Application Review - Naomi Biden (201627904)
>
> Dear Naomi,
>
> My name is Simon Beattie I am the Head of Admissions at LSE.
>
> Earlier this week Dr Frank Plantan contacted me to ask that we reconsider your MSc International Relations application to LSE. Dr Plantan was concerned that you had been disqualified solely on the basis of your cumulative GPA without a careful review of your transcript or supporting letters of recommendation. Dr Plantan also provided us with an extract from your dissertation and a supportive statement about your positive exit trajectory.
>
> While a full review of your application, including transcripts and recommendation letters, had already taken place I arranged for your application, with the additional supporting documents and email, to be independently reviewed for a second time. The second selector has re-confirmed the original decision and has provided the following detailed feedback:
>
> According to the transcript, Ms Biden currently has a cumulative GPA of 3.21. In the application she states that her expected GPA will be 3.3/4, which unfortunately does not meet our minimum academic entry requirement of 3.5/4. On review of the transcript, Ms Biden appears to have a broad range of academic interests throughout, including languages, psychology and the arts, with very mixed marks. Although there is evidence of a developing academic focus and a clear upward trajectory, this is simply not as strong a transcript as we would expect to see.
>
> Ms Biden’s personal statement is well written and engaging. The breadth of relevant experience discussed in the statement and included in the CV is impressive, showing an understanding of IR in practice. However, the statement lacks depth and specificity of academic interest, understanding or motivation for the MSc International Relations programme offered at the LSE. It is not at all clear why Ms Biden has chosen our programme or what areas of the Masters we offer she is particularly interested in exploring. In fact, a particular area of focus appears to be gender related issues, for which other programmes at the LSE may be more suitable.
>
> The references and the appeal letter suggest that Ms Biden took some time to develop her academic maturity and area of focus, but that she is hardworking and now displaying her academic potential, through her senior thesis, for example. All of this information has been given full consideration. However, admissions decisions are made holistically at the LSE, based on academic merit, motivation and potential, and unfortunately, Ms Biden’s application as a whole was not as strong as other applicants.
>
> Ms Biden is welcome to apply for other programmes this year or to reapply next year. However, she should be aware that due to the competitive nature of admissions to the LSE her GPA may disadvantage her. It would also be advisable to consider submitting an updated personal statement, clearly describing her academic interests in and motivation for undertaking a particular programme of graduate study.
>
> I have also been copied into correspondence from the Office of the President and the University of Pennsylvania. In this it indicates that you may also be interested in undertaking a Masters of Human Rights and Master of Gender Development and Globalisation. If you do want to apply for an additional programme(s) please complete and submit an additional choices webform.
>
> I realise that the review of your application has not resulted in the outcome that you would have hoped for. With limited places on offer competition for places at LSE, particular on the MSc in International Relations, is very intense and many well-qualified applicants are unsuccessful. I hope the above feedback reassures you that your application was reviewed fairly and fully.
>
> Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.
>
> Kind regards,
>
>
> Simon Beattie
> _______________________
> Head of Admissions
> LSE Admission