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I've tried looking at numerous schools but majority of schools don't have really any page range for their Master's programs, which is why I'm in a little bit of a bundle. So then if most of my writing papers have been around the 10-page mark, should I just expand it on my own and hope for the best?

So my major is secondary education, but I have a concentration in social studies, hence why I've taken many history/political science classes. I'm graduating this upcoming Fall, but I'm only going to be student teaching, so I won't be on college campus at all. So that's why I'm kind of at the end of my rope as far as different assignments go. I'm really proud of a lot of assignments I have had to write, but like I said, I think most of them are around 9 pages usually.

Yeah I know the Verbal wasn't exactly the best but I figured like "hey, at least I have a high Quantitative". I plan on working on my statement of purpose soon and I already have a history professor who said he would help me out with everything -- but do you think that the writing sample has to have a certain page limit? In any of my undergrad classes, I don't think I've ever had to write longer than 10 pages, and I'm not sure if quantity is something that's favored.

I know this may be an odd question, but I got some good advice from another member on here that I would like to try out. I'm applying for an MA program in History this Fall, and my main three schools I'm looking at are: Indiana University -- Bloomington, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, and New York University. My GPA has been a consistent 3.7, my GRE scores are 151V 155Q, I joined Phi Alpha Theta and another student organization based on volunteering, but I never had a job (at least, not one that's relevant to anything. I worked at Denny's for about a year). So, I'm wondering, what were your guys' "stats" when applying? Did you get accepted or rejected? Which schools did you apply to?

I ended up getting a 151V and 155Q, and my writing hasn't been graded just yet (though i've been checking literally every single day). Because i plan on applying this Fall, I'm probably going to start working on my personal statement soon. Another small issue is that I haven't written any papers in any of my classes that reach the 10 page mark. Most hit around 9, but I don't think any have hit 10, so I hope that most schools don't really view quantity over quality.

Thank you for the advice!! I actually think this is a great idea. I never thought of it before -- I've looked at like the school requirements and majority of schools say the general "we consider everything at once" which really isn't helpful at all. I understand all components are considered equally but it certainly does not help my worries hahaha.

So I'm taking the GRE June 3rd and I've taken a couple practice exams. On the Princeton Review, I got a 151Q 150V, with a 4.5 for analytical writing. When I took the ETS practice test, I got a 153Q 148V. I'm not sure why Verbal is dropping, but I am starting to get worried. My number one school is Indiana University - Bloomington, and their requirements are at least a 600 in one section (which I'm sure I will get on the quantitative), but I am concerned my test scores won't be enough. I've maintained a 3.7 throughout my time in undergrad, joined an honor society and another student organization, and I'm hoping to get very good LORs. Will the test results screw me over?

I would love to focus on American History, or women's/gender history. Luckily, many schools offer concentrations in these fields. I did consider world history because it is my weakest subject but I also figured that it might be extremely difficult if I do not have as much of a passion for it....

What is the difference between a degree in public history and a regular history MA? The reason I wanted to focus more on like regular history is because I know it'll expand my content knowledge for teaching, and I know that many school districts will accept a regular history degree compared to one of the smaller ones.

I had always planned on getting an MA in Education, but recently decided to get an MA in History as I am graduating with a Bachelor's in Secondary Education (and an MA in Education would quite frankly be overkill and not do much for me the same way an MA in History would). Before, I was pretty much guaranteed to get into some education programs as they are not very competitive and tend to focus on GPA, and I have maintained a 3.7 throughout my entire undergraduate career. Unfortunately, I know that History programs are waaaaaaay more competitive, and I am looking to go out of state (but I am not opposed to staying in my state since I am sure my chances are much higher because I am close with multiple history professors here). The main schools I am looking at for out of state are NYU/Columbia -- my dad will most likely move to NYC so I hope to go with him if I can get in to these schools -- Indiana University Bloomington, and University of North Carolina, Charlotte. I hope to have two LORs from some of the university's best history professors and who I have worked with a large amount and have gotten great grades from. I am also part of the honor society Phi Alpha Theta, and another school organization that focuses mainly on volunteering. Also, I am taking the GRE in a month (good luck to me) and hope to do well, but I plan on retaking it if need be. However, that's pretty much it. Some people tell me that GPA and GRE scores do not really matter, some say they are all that matter. Some say that the writing samples, LORs, and personal statement are all admission officers care about, and others say that they tend to be completely overlooked. Any help/advice on this matter is greatly appreciated. I am at a little bit of a loss on what to focus on as it is hard to find out what is more important for different schools. Luckily, I still have some time to get a really solid application, but I am just afraid that I am way in over my head, especially if the schools I want to get into focus more on PhD students compared to Master's students.

I'm graduating with my bachelor's in Secondary Education with a concentration in Social Studies. I want to go to graduate school and get my Master's, and the most common degree I've been finding is a Master in Arts in Teaching, with the numerous concentrations. However, when I look at the degree information, it seems like the degree has the exact same components that my bachelor's does. I want a master's, but I really don't want to just repeat what I've been doing for four years. A friend recommended that I get a Master's in History, or maybe try getting a degree in Curriculum & Instruction, Special Education, etc. Just wanted some commentary as I am now stressing out immensely!

Oh that's awesome!! Thank you so much

What type of materials do you think would help them craft the letter? Like key essays and stuff?

I'm applying to Master's programs later this year in the fall for the fall 2018 year. I've had my list of schools planned out for quite some time but now that I have less than a year to get everything in, I think now its all starting to sink in. I just started studying for the GRE (my date is June 3), and the math portion is already murdering me. I'm afraid that my professors I plan on asking for LoRs don't consider me close enough to them to ask, and I'm just genuinely afraid that I won't be able to get in to school. There's so many things that go into graduate school and it's so overwhelming. However, any help I've been receiving from everybody on here makes things so much easier. I hope I'm not the only one who's so overwhelmed.

I'm planning on applying this year for my Master's program (for the fall 2018 year). I plan on getting three letters of recommendation, and the professors who I plan on asking are ones that I've taken multiple classes with and will often try to see them outside of class, whether it's getting help in office hours, getting advice on other matters, or even working with them on separate projects. I know that a majority of everything regarding graduate school needs letters of recommendation, so then with every school/fellowship program I apply to, does the professor write a letter for each individual program? Or is it just a broad letter that has an ambiguous use? I'm planning on applying to 5 programs, not including the fellowships I want to apply for as well and I would feel bad asking for the professor to write a letter again and again. Also, how much in advance should I ask them for letters? A month, or two?

Long term I would love to join one of those programs that focus on international teaching. I'm not too sure if I would want to go into administration, but I'm leaning more towards no right now.

I haven't really considered it but that's partly because I flat out don't know very much about these types of programs. I've heard of Teach for America, but I've also heard that you're kind of locked in a contract or something with them for like two years?

Thank you very much for your input! I'm not too sure if I would like to pursue a PhD, but I used to always say i would never get a Master's and here I am. I did consider doing online classes but I'm a type of person who can't really focus on online classes and I'm just afraid I won't really get that much out of the education, especially if it's the exact same cost as in-class education.

Would a university let me work for them working with undergraduates? i assumed that only PhD students would be able to work as tutors, undergrads, etc.

I never quite thought about just subbing, that's a great idea. I am looking for my Master's and teaching right after. My biggest concern though is living wages. Is subbing enough for me to live on my own? Here in Nevada subs make about $100 a day, and that's if they get work. I know teachers don't make a huge amount of money nationally (I believe in Nevada they start at roughly $35k a year) but I know it'll be enough for me to live on my own. Assuming I do go out of state, that is.

@vaporeon I'm not sure if I have the option of taking just one course. If I stayed in state at my undergrad university I'm sure I definitely could, but I was really planning on going out of state for graduate school. It's safe to assume my education will be fully paid for one way or another, the job would mainly help with living scenario (so I don't have to live on campus), the experience, etc. I've thought about maybe teaching out of state while doing school part-time? But then I kinda figured like what's the point of going out of state to do that at all if it makes sense. I know I could probably find a random job during master's but what's the point of getting a job that's not teaching-related, you know?

I planned on attending graduate school and just going full-time, focusing only on school. However, one of my education professors (undergrad) told me that majority of graduate programs and their classes are geared more towards students who are teaching at the same time as taking classes. Of course, teaching at the same time would give me more experience and I would be able to have money coming in to support myself. However, I feel like it's EXTREMELY difficult to go to graduate school and be a first-year teacher. What would be better?

Thank you for your response!! It makes me much more interested about going to the school, or at least visiting the city.

So if I wanted to get an MEd degree to maybe eventually go onto administration, are the chances of me getting accepted way lower?

I'm still in my undergrad and planned on going to get my Master's immediately after I graduate, but I see that for a Masters in Education, experience is needed (At least, at UNC it is). For a Masters in Arts in Teaching, however, I don't think experience is required. I planned on immediately getting my Master's, but now I'm having doubts. Should I stay in my home town for a few years and get experience teaching, or can I still jump to Master's?