_kita

Your story is fantastic. I have quite a few cohort members (in my professional degree) that choose to have a child the second or third year into the program, and they are quite successful. But, they also have fantastic support around them. Instead of a hindrance, it's a motivator. It's great that you have that, and the passion for giving your child the life you are aiming for will take you far. For me, I could draw on the support of my significant other's family and him, but I wouldn't want to do that when he's ALSO working to establish himself in his career. I think it would be damage our relationship and the family we hope to have later on. In our case, I think the 6-7 year plan would give better support for everyone. I've always said, I work as hard as I do for the family I want to have someday. Not for the life I have currently.

Sounds like a question you should ask the program itself. As far as I know, it shouldn't be. But that sounds class/program specific.

I live in the northwestern section of Philadelphia (Roxborough/Manayunk/Conchy Area). I'm about 30 minutes from University of Penn, Temple, Drexel, La Salle, and 5 from Chestnut Hill. Where I'm at is a safe, family neighborhood section. There's a ton of reasonably priced apartment complexes, and the city convenience. I suggest people looking at that region if they're looking at Philadelphia living.

Giving kids money for tuition is less than the bare minimum for a successful anything. Great, they can persevere and get a degree, and maybe even take the GRE. However, they have no idea of testing strategies, or that they need to know about testing strategies. Their actual academic skills might be horrible, because they had to focus on other things throughout high school/college, and here we are saying "but the skills are easy." Instead of us, as a culture being proactive, they are supposed to "know what they don't know" and ask for help instead. Subsidies are not enough. They help provide a false hope, that comes crashing down without extra support. And even the few really good support programs are being stripped from most colleges, in my area at least, because of funding. Before anyone asks about my own privilege, I grew up between the middle class/poverty line. It changed about every 5 years. my parents went through a bankruptcy my senior year of high school. Luckily, I had already been admitted at the only school I applied to (because it was the cheapest, and I knew my family couln't afford better. Nor could they afford the prep services to help me qualify for better). I went to college. Came out of undergraduate with barely needing to pay anything for my tuition. It's all loans. I worked 20+ hours a week for the first two years for anything I needed. Talked to my parents about only doing summer jobs (in my field) the last two years for the same thing. I came out with a decent GPA (3.42), lots of involvement, research, all the things you're suppose to. Only thing I didn't have was a clue to my own skill level, a driver's license (since no one could teach me), or an idea of what I can change. Furthermore, I definitely didn't have any money to gamble away for grad school. And it is a gamble. I could work $10/hr for experience, or throw about $500+ chasing a pipe dream. I consider myself overall privileged compared to other students. I at least danced the privilege mambo long enough to know what the questions were I needed to ask. Money isn't all there is to the problem. we throw money, assuming the lower SES knows about these programs, knows how to ask for it in the academic way, knows how to succeeded academically, and we still judgement on the same merit pool for PhD. 'Holistic application selection' is a bit of joke, needing to dress in business attire, or shell out travel reimbursement money (as mentioned earlier) is also unreasonable.... it's a lot of things stacked on top of each other. Funnily enough, with our bottom SES expanding, and our top SES only expanding their paychecks; things will have to change. The students we see will become more middle-lower classes. Now if only we'd be proactive in helping them succeed. That'd create more programs, more jobs, and possibly, more stability.

You can definitely hold multiple masters. The reasons why you hear people comment on it is that typically their is minimum, or even no, funding for a masters student. Looking at an additional $60,000 in debt is not usually a great idea. So US grad prospects tend to frown upon masters in general and jump into a PhD - if they have the credentials. However, you can have as many masters as you really want. The choice is yours.

I've never run into a problem with 2 page resumes in counseling. So probably not. But I can't attest to it in Social Work. Maybe rewrite it as a curriculum vitae instead. That will give more details and it's expected to be long ;-)

Okay, that's a lot of different worries. First off, your undergraduate grades meet the criteria. That's not a concern. Grad school admissions, especially at more prestigious programs like PENN, have two concerns before the interview. 1) Qualifications: GPA, GRE, research/job experience, etc. and 2) Best Fit: personal statement, letters of recommendation, and professional identity developed through research/job experiences That's why I asked about your work experiences earlier, because "best fit" is actually the most important part of your applications. Those experience show your professional identity and really highlight what you want to do and why. The more competitive the program, the less slots available and the more that fit is important. Now, if you take that same approach to the job market, they also care about qualifications and fit. Some places care about prestige, but really, you see that more in academia than anywhere else. And it is easy to whittle out which departments have concerns with it. Really, your previous work experience, plus program internship requirements, will land you work quickly. I can't speak as to Bryn Mawr College qualifications. Maybe look at old graduates and look into where they're working now. Or even ask the secretary.

Those limitations may make things a little more difficult for you. With your credentials and your passion for helping, you are more than qualified, but allow yourself a back-up plan if you don't receive the acceptance this application cycle. For instance, I'm allowing myself 3 years of applications, and then in April (when I'm hoping to hear back), I'm also applying to relevant FT jobs. That way, I'm overlapping choices, and if I hear the wrong one, I still have something to be excited about.

I'm in a similar situation. I'm looking only at schools within a commutable range from Philadelphia which is very limiting. I suggest figuring out what you think is commutable to try and apply to about 10 programs. Some of those schools you're looking at among the most competitive, so more options are rather important. My radius is within a 1 1/2 hour drive. I could only find about 8 programs, but you might have some better luck!

Then yes, the GPA will definitely not cripple you. Search around at programs, see what their expectations are. For some, a GPA minimum may be required. But on the masters level that is typically a 3.0-3.25, if it even exists. I think with your experience, you may also want to consider applying to programs that offer a social work and law degree, or a social work with law focus. See if you can draw that into some of the programs. That way, you can also tie in all of those interests, and demonstrate more direction. Plus, you'll have more options down the road.

As others have said, use the time wisely. The time off can actually make your application. I took 4 years off and worked in the field made great connections & found my professional voice. I taught, counseled, and stayed current with reading research. Took the masters to decide which career path fit better & develop personal research based on things during those 4 years. But, productivity and making yourself marketable is key.

Opal, your gpa might not necessarily hold your. back. But you have to show you strengths elsewhere. Honestly, the jump from soc to law to sw may be a bigger detriment as it looms like indecisiveness if not handled properly. So why those programs? What's the theme? Any experience to show why this is the right fit?

You have a few options. The least confusing are: !) Attended (20xx-20xx) and list relevant course work. Do not try to explain it on your CV. Nor do you add in the credentials you would have had. 2) Avoid listing it at all. You're not legally required to show all of the information you've ever done. But then, that might show a hole in your professional life.

Thank you for everyone who's been replying. I was running into a real problem finding places that would drill specific problem types (such as remainders or equation equivalency questions). A lot of sites jump topics within a category, so that focused practice has been a problem.This variety is giving me the practice I really need, so that algebra and geometry might actually STOP being a stress.

I'm just looking for a minimum amount to live with my significant other. We're looking at houses for rent, which actually drop costs from about 1200/mth to maybe 850/mth, and with my car payment being paid off at *hopefully* the time that I'm starting a doctoral program, I'd be quite happy with a $20,000 stipend with some wiggle room even. However, we've also agreed that neither one of us wants to start a family & marriage until I can contribute equally (both time commitment and fiscally). If that happens in the program, cool; however, neither of us expect it.

The only part you really need to worry about is that GRE score. For several PhD programs, the have rather high standards.I would suggest aiming for a 160 in both categories. Everything else looks fantastic.

I'm taking the exam on August 15th. My applications are all December 1st. While that gives me a cushion to retake if need be, I wouldn't get any real extra prep time this fall. So this will be my last retake. My most recent (2011) being V 154; Q 145; AW 4. Thank you for the reference material! I'm checking it out now.

The number credentials are very department/university specific. Usually, the number solely helps to get you into the 'consider them more' pile, and from there, your SOP, LOR and resume do the rest of the trick. Don't worry as much though. Mental health counseling is a very 'personal journey' type of program.

Personal statement doesn't necessarily mean your personal history. In one of my applications I was told to write about one way that I helped someone, how I was successful, things I would do differently, and how this shaped my view on the helping profession.

I am currently a student in a mental health master's program. They care most about your professional experience and that you are an ' aspiring helping professional.' Many people in my program came from diverse, and are actually changing their careers. So, yes, that part of your application should not be a problem.

Thank you for the feedback. A lot of my concern is that I don't really have a 'most challenging' right now. My struggle is with ALL foundational work. I had a slightly different (experimental) math system in high school. They decided integrating all maths in one was a great idea. So, since I slacked off after pre-algebra, those skills were never really learned. I barely passed my college math, and pulled off a C- in college algebra (after acing the statistics class!). So I can FOIL till the cows come home, but my understanding is terrible, and makes it difficult to simplify steps. I'm hoping that lots of basic math practice will help. But it really is difficult what direction to go in now. I will keep your suggestions in mind. I definitely need to remember that skipping is an option, and optimism will help.

Trying to guess why he's behaving the way he's behaving is fruitless. If he wants to spend time with you, he will make it apparent that he wants to spend time with you. If he doesn't, then he doesn't. I've heard it said that people are attracted to two types: 1) those they're interested in 2) those that are interested in them. The second option makes it easier for them to get their needs met without the frustration of anything else. So they're the backup, casual, whatever you want to call it. Sometimes they're doing it intentionally, sometimes not. If you're not sure where you stand, clarify it. If after talking, nothing is resolved, don't expect it to be. You may feel that his actions and words are not consistent, stop trying to hope they'll become so. You can only control your own actions, not his. It's better to have someone who you don't have to play games with, who lets you know where you stand. That stability is golden. And currently in graduate school, you don't need the added stress of relationship instability.

You'll need to highlight how you can overcome problems, and show that your GPA is not among them. Do you have professors who can talk about your progress as a student, and your ability to handle adversity? That would be a fantastic addition to your application. Perhaps take a few graduate level classes and retake a few classes, as mentioned previously. You're background will give you more life experience to show why you are a helping professional. Another thing you can do is work summer social work jobs/internships to give you more specific experience. Demonstrate why you are rich in experience and make a good social worker. That will give you a glowing application everywhere else. Luckily, MSWs don't have as steep a requirement. However, you're looking at schools with very high expectations and more applicants. So there's more competition. Make as backup plans be willing to 1): give yourself a variety of choices and/or 2): be willing to take time off, to strengthen your credentials and reapply if need be. It's not a waste of time if you really want it.

If you're looking at an academic career, research is one of the 3 core components, so it is very important. That being said, if it's not the most important thing for you right now, it sounds as though your preferred research area flexible. If the school you favor for everything else has other areas that you're interested in, that's the best fit for you. Just make sure it does have an area you're at least interested, if not passionate about. Otherwise, you may get stuck and specialized in something you really could care less about.

I have only one aspect of my application I am truly worried about, and this is it. I'm applying to a mixture of clinical/social/cognitive psychology programs. Now, my undergraduate social science statistics grade was an A, I tutor it now as a graduate assistant, and I have gotten both an A/A- in my two graduate level courses. I am also going to be conducting independent research studies these next two semesters. So I can demonstrate I can do statistics and research design. The problem, my GRE expected scores are atrocious. Q: 148-153 V: 151-156 My biggest problem for the quantitative is mathematic fundamentals. I need to work ground up. My verbal I know I can boost simply with the Magoosh and lots of practice. I have a little under 90 days left. Any suggestions on how I can work on those fundamental skills? My target is a 160 each.