<p>Hello all- A few Questions. I am looking for some advice/input from Grad students as well as those who have recently applied. I will be graduating next fall and want to begin prepping for my application experience into an MA program or PhD direct entry program. </p>
<p>Currently I have a 3.55 overall GPA 3.62 English Concentration GPA 3.8 Creative Writing Minor GPA. I am also on the Deans List for semester grades as well as the Chancellors Award List. Additionally I have attained two internships (one which I am still currently participating in). The first internship was as an editor and writer for an online modern issues website, and the second as a writer for a local magazine. I am also an active member in Sigma Tau Delta where I have been nominated for a national scholarship and have also submitted works to their national convention. </p>
<p>Obviously my intention is to raise my GPA with my remaining spring, summer, and fall semester. However, I am worried this will only push my overall to a 3.7(something). I also plan to score well for the GRE, but I am fearful of my test-taking skills. As for my writing sample and SoP I am looking for some guidance. I really would like to stand out and make an impact; therefore ideas on overused thesis to stray from would be great. </p>
<p>I am also concerned with schools that do not ask for GRE scores or writing samples for their MA programs. Has anyone applied or been accepted to one of these programs? What did you do to stand out? Also is it smarter to chose a more renown MA program over a less known PhD program (considering acceptance in both)?</p>
<p>I am ultimately striving for these schools:
UCL (London)
Brown
NYU
Georgetown
Toronto
University of Amsterdam
Rutgers
Columbia
Notre Dame</p>
<p>Be as straightforward as needed. I want to get prepared!!</p>