Which programs should I apply to?

Graduate School
1

After two months of prep, and four practice tests so far, I’m averaging a 168 Verbal and 166 Quant. I’m taking the GRE on September 30th.

Are you absolutely sure that my GPA isn’t going to preclude me from top English MA programs? I saw a page for the metrics of Fordham’s admitted 2014-15 MA/MS students and the median numbers were: GPA 3.6, GRE V- 162, GRE Q- 157. My college GPA was a 3.1 and my professors didn’t know me that well since I went to a big state school, so my letters of recommendation are not likely to differentiate me.

Should I be aiming lower? I was planning on applying to NYU, Rutgers, Fordham, and Seton Hall, but if my chances of admission aren’t great at the first three, because of my undergrad GPA, I’m not gonna blow hundreds of dollars on application fees.

2

I’m looking to apply to programs in the NYC metropolitan area. Based on what I’ve seen from combing through threads, my undergraduate GPA is going to kill me. I have a 3.1 in my major as well (English).

http://www.stjohns.edu/academics/schools-and-colleges/st-johns-college-liberal-arts-and-sciences/programs-and-majors/english-master-arts

I know different MA programs are different, but if I don’t meet the “3.5 GPA in English courses” requirement of St. John’s, I’m thinking that I should not even bother applying to NYU or Rutgers. Even though I know I’m capable of doing well at those schools and attended a Top 25 undergrad where I, admittedly, slacked off, my chances of admission are surely not good upon second thought.

I’m thinking Fordham might be my best shot if I replicate my practice GRE scores on the real exam, write an excellent statement of purpose, and submit a flawless writing sample. I’m also going to e-mail St. John’s and see whether the admissions committee is lenient when it comes to that “3.5” requirement.

Any advice would be much appreciated. I just don’t want to end up blowing $205 on the GRE and then more money on applications when I’m only competitive at lower-end schools.

The way I see it right now, I think I should only apply to Fordham (reach) and Seton Hall (likely in based on the very high acceptance rate). What do you guys think?