Sazerac

I've been accepted to pursue an MA this fall in Political Science (my undergrad major) but I did better on the GRE than I expected and I really want to go into the MPA program (mostly because it tends to be more applied knowledge versus theory..and I don't want an academic job). I didn't apply for the MPA because I missed the deadline and as I said I thought I'd do badly at the GRE. Is it ever acceptable to switch programs at the same university? I'm happy enough with the MA program but I do want to ensure I can be as marketable as possible after grad school.

I thought I'd update this... I took the GRE 2 weeks ago. I studied about 5 hours a day for 6 weeks on the math (I didn't so much as look at verbal). My math score went up 110 pts from when I took the Kaplan class (I found Kaplan useless). My verbal was at best meh but I think I scored where I needed to be. Verbal: 530 Quan: 490. I didn't knock it out of the park but considering I had been scoring around 380 on my practice tests...I'm happy) (1000 combined was considered competitive, I got a 1020). 3.85 undergrad GPA Letters of recommendation have been turned in...now I wait. (However I feel much better about this now...my GRE turned out better than expected and my GPA is very high)

Actually the deadline for fall admissions for UNO is June 1. I paid for and took a Kaplan class last summer...and the class literally drove me to tears. My Verbal tests were in the 570-670 range...my quant were 380-410 I absolutely struggled through this math in high school and I'm wickedly adverse to it now (tho I am working through my Kaplan book and Barron's GRE book 4-5 hours a day now). I just flat out don't believe I will ever get this math (this is the same math I got a C in high school...and that was a hard earned C)

Taking the GRE soon (based on past practice exams I don't expect to do very well on the math). Sub 1000 combined, maybe sub 900...I really am not getting the math... (I don't do well on tests like this. I scored 830 on the SAT in High School) Recent undergrad, graduated with 3.85 GPA (Tulane U), 36 years old, strong letters of recommendation, etc Wanted MA at Univ. of New Orleans (its local, the price is right and the head of the program has been very informative with me in email)

Also... How is a program going to calculate my GPA since my UGA GPA is a 2.1 (nearly graduated...had a 1.8 until 2001-2002 when I made straight As) my Tulane GPA is a 3.85 (I took 48 hours) and Tulane didnt factor UGA's GPA at all.

Actually I'm done with the GRE. I can't take this any longer. U of Baltimore, Northeastern (and Northwestern) don't require the GRE. Any other options you all are aware of?

Tulane has no MPA/MPP program. They are law school-centric I did see Northwestern has a Continuing Studies Master of Arts in Public Policy & Administration online and on campus...which would be an alternative...

To give some background... Three years ago I returned to school (I had serious depression issues and left school as an undergrad in 1998 with a 1.8 GPA). I returned and took 3 classes in 2001 and made straight As (got my GPA up to a 2.1 however as I was working full time I could not finish school...at the University of Georgia). In 2007, I started at Tulane...and Tulane only transferred my classes but they do not count your prior grades into your GPA and as a part time student I recently graduated with a 3.85/cum laude (Tulane Univ. only grades). I also studied under James Carville...and I generally enjoyed being an college, A LOT. Fast forward to today, I paid for a Kaplan GRE course...I am doing so poorly in the quant/math currently. My practice GRE had me at a 570 verbal/330 math (without studying)...I'm confident my verbal will go up...but my math may go down from there. I feel defeated right now... My plans were to apply to the MPA Program at the University of New Orleans. I spoke with the program's director...and he said they considered that you would need 500 v/500 q to be competitive (I'm not going to come close to that). What are my options? I could take the GRE and fail the math on an epic level...not take the GRE...or study for the next 5 years (and still fail the math). (Oh and I am in my mid 30s, and have 12 years of work experience but none in the field...I work in IT and want to change careers. I did intern with an elected offical in the past year as well as working as paid campaign staff. I can get a letter of recommendation from this offical as well as at least 3 professors, possibly more) I want to go to grad school...badly...and I want to start in January.