We are 2 students entering our final year of undergrad and are beginning the application process for Master's graduate programs in higher education. We need some general application advice, our chances, critique on our qualifications for grad school, more information on program, etc. Please help out if you can, it is very much appreciated!
Student 1:
5th year senior, Political Science and Sociology majors. Have not taken the GRE yet, but plan to soon. GPA is exactly 3.0 with an upward trend, will not graduate with any higher than a 3.2 GPA sadly. I am just beginning to pursue my interest in higher education. Up until midway of my 4th year, I was completely undecided, so I have little relevant experience. Basically all of my internships, research, and extracurricular leadership is from Fall 2011 until I graduate.
I have internship experience in two positions with career services and will be in leadership in a social organization for my 5th year. I also did research with the higher education grad department analyzing a survey from a previous' grad student, and wrote a proposal based off that. Other than that, my jobs have all been customer service based (receptionist, cashier, and food service) during the summers and school year. Does my lack of experience hurt my chances at all?
I am planning on applying to schools in California and New York as of now (Stanford, UCLA, NYU, Columbia) but am definitely open to more options. I have a lot of loan debt coming from undergrad so I'm really hoping to get a position that covers the costs of the grad program. Any suggestions on other grad schools to check out or that fully fund their students?
Student 2:
Rising senior, Sociology major, minor in Psychology and Business Leadership. Not too sure how to rate my GRE scores, but they were 143Q, 154V. Planning on retaking. GPA is 3.2 right now (had some extreme circumstances last year, but brought my GPA back up with summer courses). Probably going to to graduate with a 3.3/Cum Laude distinction. How competitive are my GRE scores and GPA? I'm feeling like they're both not super competitive right now.
I have a lot of experience in student organizations and have held leadership since my second year. I am most active in the student government, in an educational reform group, and an organization that is like a career/leadership center for minority students. My leadership in these organizations have also allowed me to have personal relationships with many administrators, so I am lucky enough to work with the Academic Support Center, the Office of Diversity, and the Office of Multicultural Programs. I've worked standard jobs at the University as well with Orientation, at the bookstore, and in the Student Center, but nothing too out of the ordinary. I am currently interning in the Higher Education Management field, so I am learning a lot about Higher Education Enrollment and Management, and getting to work with admissions, financial aid, and registrars offices. Is this experience adequate? I know it's very broad and scattered, but it's definitely given me a feel for different aspects of higher education.
I thought I really wanted to do Higher Ed Administration and Student Affairs up until this past year, but am still very passionate about that, but am also looking to pursue work in Higher Education Policy. I'm very interested in education reform, higher education inequality, college access and retention issues, and things of that nature. I am also interested in positions like advising and admissions as well. Ideally, I would like to work in a University for awhile so I can get involved with direct service to students, especially students from underrepresented backgrounds. After getting experience there, I would also like to get experience with places like the Dept of Ed, Institute for Higher Education Policy, National Education Association, etc. After getting my feet wet in both aspects of higher education, I'll probably know where I belong more, but it WOULD be amazing if there was a way to combine both.
I would like to apply to a bunch of schools, but unfortunately will probably have to narrow down due to financial constraints. So far, I am choosing between NYU, UMD, Columbia, Loyola Chicago, UVa, Washington University in St. Louis, and Harvard (maybe, just to see what happens haha). I want to end up working in or around DC after I graduate Any other suggestions on programs to check out given my interests?