Help me assess my chances of continuing my studies in Education

[Lee_C]

Hey guys,

I was fortunate to have stumbled upon these boards after serious contemplating doing a second Masters in Education.

I am Canadian, and I'm interested in pursuing a Masters in Education in the U.S., but never dared to try because of my poor undergrad grades.

It's now been 6 years since I completed my undergrad and after working in both in the business/education world, I've decided I want to start up my own Educational consulting company after completing a Masters in Education.

Background:

A little about myself.

Education:

1) Graduated from UBC in 2011 with a poor GPA (~2.8). Without a doubt, this is the glaring weakness in my profile. I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. I spent more time than I should have participating in extracurricular activities (Emerging Leaders Club, a Greek Fraternity, Rotaract, etc). I also swapped between full/part time jobs throughout my undergrad. I realize that I didn't spend enough time on my grades. I received multiple Cs and Ds while dropped my GPA by a lot.

2) Did a Business Management diploma at a Technical Institute in 2013.

3) Received my Real Estate License from UBC's Sauder School of Business in 2014.

4) Received my TESOL teaching certification from a 120-hour classroom-based program.

5) Currently doing my MBA at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Matriculated 2016, graduating 2018.

Work Experience:

1) Worked as a water safety instructor for 4 years during my Undergraduate days. Also volunteered as a HS Tennis Coach.

2) Started a career in Real Estate in 2011. Started as a Real Estate assistant. After getting my Real Estate License in 2014, worked with a partner and did 110 million (CAD) in sales between the years 2011-2015. 

3) Also worked as a Licensed Sales Associate for a Real Estate Developer in 2015. Generated about 20-30 million in sales (CAD) with team that year. 

4) Started my own real estate fund, managing $2-3 million in various commercial real estate projects for private investors. 

5)  Came to Shanghai and worked as an English Teacher at a University.

6) Got into Education Counselling in mid 2016. Currently working as a senior Education Consultant for the same company.

Future Goals: While working in luxury Real Estate, I somehow got into involved in private educational training. It started off first as customer service for the kids of my clients. But as time progressed, I really started to enjoy teaching and working with kids. For me, To me, it's more special to be a contribution to the happiness parents and their kids feel after getting into the school of their dreams than making any house sale. 

Now, I want to work in Education Consulting full-time. I want to attend an Education Masters program at an Ivy League school (Harvard's M.Ed, Columbia's TA, etc). Upon graduation, Using my previous business experience, I want to start-up an educational consulting company,. I've met so many brights students who can't get into their dream schools simply because of one glaring weakness in their profile (Ie- poor interview skills, poor essay writing skills, etc).

My goal is to start an Education program once I graduate from my MBA program. I realize I have glaring weaknesses in my academics. Given my certain circumstance, do I have a shot at these prestigious schools? If so, what work will I have to do?

I appreciate your time and effort to give feedback. I admire all of you, as this forum seems to be filled with many intelligent, diligent individuals. 

 

 

[hopefulPhD2017]

On 4/4/2017 at 9:56 AM, Whalerider88 said:

Hey guys,

I was fortunate to have stumbled upon these boards after serious contemplating doing a second Masters in Education.

I am Canadian, and I'm interested in pursuing a Masters in Education in the U.S., but never dared to try because of my poor undergrad grades.

It's now been 6 years since I completed my undergrad and after working in both in the business/education world, I've decided I want to start up my own Educational consulting company after completing a Masters in Education.

Background:

A little about myself.

Education:

1) Graduated from UBC in 2011 with a poor GPA (~2.8). Without a doubt, this is the glaring weakness in my profile. I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. I spent more time than I should have participating in extracurricular activities (Emerging Leaders Club, a Greek Fraternity, Rotaract, etc). I also swapped between full/part time jobs throughout my undergrad. I realize that I didn't spend enough time on my grades. I received multiple Cs and Ds while dropped my GPA by a lot.

2) Did a Business Management diploma at a Technical Institute in 2013.

3) Received my Real Estate License from UBC's Sauder School of Business in 2014.

4) Received my TESOL teaching certification from a 120-hour classroom-based program.

5) Currently doing my MBA at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Matriculated 2016, graduating 2018.

Work Experience:

1) Worked as a water safety instructor for 4 years during my Undergraduate days. Also volunteered as a HS Tennis Coach.

2) Started a career in Real Estate in 2011. Started as a Real Estate assistant. After getting my Real Estate License in 2014, worked with a partner and did 110 million (CAD) in sales between the years 2011-2015. 

3) Also worked as a Licensed Sales Associate for a Real Estate Developer in 2015. Generated about 20-30 million in sales (CAD) with team that year. 

4) Started my own real estate fund, managing $2-3 million in various commercial real estate projects for private investors. 

5)  Came to Shanghai and worked as an English Teacher at a University.

6) Got into Education Counselling in mid 2016. Currently working as a senior Education Consultant for the same company.

Future Goals: While working in luxury Real Estate, I somehow got into involved in private educational training. It started off first as customer service for the kids of my clients. But as time progressed, I really started to enjoy teaching and working with kids. For me, To me, it's more special to be a contribution to the happiness parents and their kids feel after getting into the school of their dreams than making any house sale. 

Now, I want to work in Education Consulting full-time. I want to attend an Education Masters program at an Ivy League school (Harvard's M.Ed, Columbia's TA, etc). Upon graduation, Using my previous business experience, I want to start-up an educational consulting company,. I've met so many brights students who can't get into their dream schools simply because of one glaring weakness in their profile (Ie- poor interview skills, poor essay writing skills, etc).

My goal is to start an Education program once I graduate from my MBA program. I realize I have glaring weaknesses in my academics. Given my certain circumstance, do I have a shot at these prestigious schools? If so, what work will I have to do?

I appreciate your time and effort to give feedback. I admire all of you, as this forum seems to be filled with many intelligent, diligent individuals. 

 

 

Sounds like You've had quite a journey! You didn't mention GRE scores. For this schools, they matter somewhat. 

[Lee_C]

On 4/4/2017 at 9:56 PM, Whalerider88 said:

 

Hey guys,

I was fortunate to have stumbled upon these boards after serious contemplating doing a second Masters in Education.

I am Canadian, and I'm interested in pursuing a Masters in Education in the U.S., but never dared to try because of my poor undergrad grades.

It's now been 6 years since I completed my undergrad and after working in both in the business/education world, I've decided I want to start up my own Edu

 

Hey hopeful,

It's nice to hear from you!

I'm still in the midst of grinding out my MBA so I haven't had the chance to take the GREs yet.

Aside from HGSE, I'm also interested in Columbia's TA and I've heard they don't require GREs.

I'm intrigued by the idea of applying for the TA right after I finish my MBA without taking the GREs (saves me time). I also won't be needing any Financial Aid if admitted into any of these education programs-will this improve my chances?

Do you have any advice? I would love to hear from an experienced applicant to this school, such as yourself

Edited April 11, 2017 by Whalerider88

[Levon3]

On 4/10/2017 at 11:13 PM, Whalerider88 said:

Hey hopeful,

It's nice to hear from you!

I'm still in the midst of grinding out my MBA so I haven't had the chance to take the GREs yet.

Aside from HGSE, I'm also interested in Columbia's TA and I've heard they don't require GREs.

I'm intrigued by the idea of applying for the TA right after I finish my MBA without taking the GREs (saves me time). I also won't be needing any Financial Aid if admitted into any of these education programs-will this improve my chances?

Do you have any advice? I would love to hear from an experienced applicant to this school, such as yourself

Hi Whalerider88, 

It is true that Columbia does not require the GRE for Teachers College. Why won't you need financial aid? These are extremely expensive schools. To answer your question, though, I do not believe need for financial aid or lack thereof has any bearing on admissions chances. FWIW, I was admitted to both HGSE and TC. 

[Lee_C]

1 hour ago, Levon3 said:

Hi Whalerider88, 

It is true that Columbia does not require the GRE for Teachers College. Why won't you need financial aid? These are extremely expensive schools. To answer your question, though, I do not believe need for financial aid or lack thereof has any bearing on admissions chances. FWIW, I was admitted to both HGSE and TC. 

Hey Levon3,

Thanks for your reply.

My motivation for a Masters in Education at TC is because I want to start-up an education consultancy company.

Therefore, I'm viewing this pursuit and college tuition as an investment and expecting to make returns in my future business.

I've been on this journey for quite some time now; its taken me from my Real Estate to Shanghai where I'm completing my MBA while making connections, building a brand for myself, and acquiring clients.

I see this Masters of Education at TC as the final piece before I put it altogether and start the business.

Despite my poor undergrad GPA outlined before, I'm still committed to putting the work in: i'm planning to visit the campus this summer, and apply in the fall.

I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on what I should do to get in, and if I'm what TC is looking for. I'm committed so your input would go a long way!

 

[Levon3]

On 4/17/2017 at 11:04 AM, Whalerider88 said:

I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on what I should do to get in, and if I'm what TC is looking for. I'm committed so your input would go a long way!

 

Makes sense! As far as getting in, I think the usual grad school advice applies here: make sure you have strong recommendations from profs who know your work well, put a lot of work into your SOP (and start it early; have people read it, etc.). If you plan to take the GRE, purchase a study book and study. 

Regarding whether it's what you're looking for, feel free to PM me specifics of what you're looking for and I'll see what I can do to help.