beekeepersdaughter

Does anyone know anything about what exactly graduate programs in education look for? I have no idea what to include in my SOP and pretty much nothing exists on the internet to help me. What do they want to see? I'm not sure which of my strengths i should be highlighting the most. How personal should I be? Is writing in the first person acceptable (seems like it should be encourage but you never know). So lost and nervous. Anyone please help!

I will be finishing my BA in history next spring (2012) and hope to matriculate into a Masters in Teaching program the following fall. I've found very little useful information regarding the components of a strong application for a MAT program. I go to a large state school, 4.0 in my major courses/ 3.99 overall. I began mentoring/tutoring last spring semester and would love to continue that throughout this next year. I participated in alternative spring break this past semester as well as volunteering as an archivist. I plan to begin substitute teaching during my last year of college. I am in the process of completing my senior thesis (not a requirement at my school) which focuses on the plight of black teachers during desegregation (pertinent to the MAT program?), I expect to have three solid LOR all by well-regarded/published/tenured professors. My only concerns are my very mediocre GRE scores (560V; 520Q) and the fact that admissions boards might see my undergrad school as "just as state school."(but obviously that's all i could afford and I could not be more pleased with my experience there). I am also very unsure of what I should include in my statement of purpose. I don't want to come across as too idealistic, but I sincerely believe in the effectiveness of quality education and the value of learning history. I will be applying to 4 MAT programs; University of Illinois-Chicago, Emory, FSU, and WashU. I would be crushed if I didn't get in anywhere, so if anyone out there has any idea about what my chances are and what I might be able to do to strengthen my application I would be so appreciative.