Do I have any chance getting in? Educational Policy

Graduate School
1

<p>I really want to go to grad school for educational policy. There's limited education policy programs, and mostly only top notch schools offer them. I was thinking about applying to Ohio State, Vandy and George Washington. GW is my top pick, and probably the hardest to get into. The only thing holding me back will be my cumulative gpa, which will be a 2.9 when I graduate in the spring. However, my gpa in all policy/education classes is a 3.8. I'm also an english minor, and that GPA is a 3.5. I'm currently a special ed major looking to be certified in science content. That's what holding me back, in many science classes involving math, I've recieved D's. I have learning disabilities which specifically hold me back in math/science. The dean of my college knew about this, and still required that I take classes like chemistry/bio/physics even though it goes against my college 504. I'm extremely involved on campus. I play a varsity sport, am in a sorority, had a political internship that dealt with educational policy, am in three educational clubs, one political club, and two random clubs.</p>

<p>Basically, does anyone think I have a chance of getting into my three grade school choices with the experience that I do have, but with my low cumulative gpa. I plan on explaining my case in my application, and would like to meet with the deans/program directors after or before I apply.</p>

<p>THANK YOU!</p>

2

<p>Being “extremely involved on campus” is irrelevant to graduate school admissions, so don’t even bother mentioning that stuff or putting it in your c.v. Gradcoms don’t care about your clubs or sororities.</p>

<p>Your GPA will be a significant barrier. Maybe not insurmountable, but it’s definitely going to hurt. Strong letters of recommendation from your education policy professors would be very helpful, speaking to your abilities in that specific field.</p>

<p>I would suggest that perhaps you should take a year (or more) off from school and pursue professional opportunities in the field, such as full-time internships or entry-level jobs. That sort of track record and experience would counterbalance your mediocre GPA.</p>

<p>I would strongly suggest that you not ask “to meet with the deans/program directors” before being admitted - that is not a common practice and may throw up red flags in your application.</p>