<p>Latino: I want a PhD or EdD depending on the school
Illinois State University Undergrad, and various Junior Colleges: 2.72 GPA Psychology
DePaul University Grad: MPA 3.72 right now, expect 3.75 in four weeks when I graduate
GRE: 1127 first time, score is no longer good on Tuesday, will take again June 30th hope to score between 1200-1400+ I didnt study the first time, I have started to study already.
Work Experience: Over 6years in the field</p>
<p>Field of study will be EdPolicy or Social Policy depending on the school I apply to.</p>
<p>So what are the chances at schools like:
HKS: Social Policy PhD or HSE Ed Policy
Princeton
Carnegie Mellon
Stanford
Berkeley
NorthWestern
PSU
MSU
U of Michigan
Vandy
UPenn
U of Wisconsin
Indiana University
UT Austin
U of Georgia
OSU
UVA
Lets keep it real here. I want to apply and I am going to apply to some schools, but are some just absolutely pointless to apply too??? Ive been told, "Youre Latino Id apply to HKS with a 3.5 and 1200." Mind you the average on both is 3.75 grad GPA and 1400+GRE, Ive also been told, "No matter what your UGPA will hurt you endlessly, dont waste your time on HKS."
What does college confidential think? I have thick skin so let me have it, Im I a loser or what?</p>
<p>First of all, underrepresented student status does not help as much for graduate admissions. While graduate schools are seeking diversity in programs, it’s less of a priority than rigor of your prior record and experience. Also note that blacks and Latinos are traditionally sorely underrepresented in math and science fields, but there are a lot more of us in the social sciences. So don’t lean on your ethnic status.</p>
<p>Secondly - your UGPA is pretty low; however, your graduate GPA will mean that the importance of that is diminished. You should definitely retake the GRE, and if you score around a 1300 then that plus 3.75 should make your UGPA a distant memory especially given your 6 years of work experience. Thirdly, can you relate your work experience back to the research you plan to do as a PhD student? Is any of that research and if so, what kind of research did you do? I think you get something of a pass because social and ed policy programs tend to attract practitioners who are transitioning into research, but being able to link your work back to research will always be good.</p>
<p>The only way you can 100% not get into somewhere is if you don’t apply, so I would apply to places where you meet the minimums especially if you get that GRE score above a 1200 or so.</p>
<p>Yeah I definitely can relate my experience. I worked for an IL senator for some time linking his neighborhood with services and providing services. I then transitioned to public mental health and social health as part of a private and then a municipal organization. I had control of part of a grant, well a line in a grant. I have since transitioned to working again in grant funding for a community college in a new type of programming making sure communities are helping students become college ready. </p>
<p>My graduate thesis is on Latinos in education and a program evaluation of two separate programs based on graduation rates of Latinos in these programs. It wont be published, no IRB involvement, it is action research. </p>
<p>So does this sound applicable? Again realistically do I even have a remote shot, or do I stick to the lower tiered schools?</p>