<p>I am not a traditional student, I am 27 years old and have a family. I work as a high school teacher. I would like to pursue a Ph.D in Communication Studies from the best possible program I could gain admission to. However, my grades are not nearly as amazing as what I have read on this site. My undergraduate grade point average was a Greek tragedy, due to numerous family issues. I took down an Associate of Arts in History and then a Bachelor of Science from University of Houston, but my overall undergrad gpa was 2.2.<br>
I ended up getting into a Master's program at a public university here in Texas, Stephen F. Austin State University, and completed my MA in Communication Studies with a 4.0 grade point average, due mainly in my opinion to a much calmer environment and the fact that I now have a job that pays a liveable wage. I have a GRE score of 1200. I have a great deal of honors from Speech and Debate, including trips to the State Championship tournament in High School here in Texas and a trip to the National Forensics Association National Championship Tournament while in college. This is along with working as a teacher of speech at a high school.
So what is the best program that I can realistically think I have a shot at? Should I even think about going to a really well known program and getting funding, or should I just go to a public state university here in Texas that I know I could probably get into for the Ph.D, like Texas Tech? I would prefer the best school possible though, I figure if I am going to get the education it should be the best possible. Any advice is appreciated.</p>
<p>You should post this in the Grad School forum. Click on “Discussion Home” in the upper-left of this screen, and scroll down to find it. Someone there should be able to help you out.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best.</p>