So I posted this in another thread without any response, so I'm going to try here.
I haven't applied yet because I am deciding if I really need to take the GRE yet or not since the school I am applying to doesn't require it, but it also can help with admissions. I'm also a vet, so I'm hoping that will help with admissions. I am applying to Penn State University's Online MPA program with a Certificate in Homeland Security and Safety.
Program Applied To (MPA, MPP, IR, etc.): MPA w/Certificate in Homeland Security and Safety at Penn State University
Schools Applied To: Penn State University (only school I really like with an online MPA program). USC is kinda expensive and competitive, University of Illinois doesn't have the name recognition of Penn State, and I think with GWU you need 2 years of work experience?
Schools Admitted To: N/A
Schools Rejected From: N/A
Still Waiting: N/A
Undergraduate institution: University of North Florida
Undergraduate GPA: 3.25
Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): 3.45
Undergraduate Major: Criminal Justice
Minor: Political Science
I also have a Leadership Certificate from a department in my school
Made Dean's list 2x and have had 3-4 scholarships
GRE Quantitative Score: Haven't Taken Yet
GRE Verbal Score: Haven't Taken Yet
GRE AW Score: Haven't Taken Yet
Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): Will probably be about 6 months
Years of Work Experience: 5?
Describe Relevant Work Experience:
-I've done 5 years in the Marine Corps Reserve with 13 months on active duty overseas in Afghanistan (OEF).
-I've done a federal internship for 3 months with the US Marshals Service at the federal courthouse
-2 month internship at a law firm
-Was President of a on-campus Student Veterans Association club for 1 semester
-Totalled 12 hours of being a Mentor for an On-Campus Transition group for students with disabilities
-Hoping to have a job in a logistics company in the next few weeks, so that will be something to add
Languages: N/A
Quant: N/A
Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): Will be strong, have a lot of leadership experience to talk about. Ive also passed the FBI, Customs and Border Patrol Officer, and possible the DEA Special Agent application tests too for which I am applying to.
Strength of LOR (be honest, describe the process, etc): I have one from a former teacher/former ambassador who is running for State Senate in my state of Florida. The other is from my scholarship coordinator and the last is from another department. Should I use all teachers instead of my scholarship coordinator or should I keep her in there as a reference???
Other:
The reason why I don't want to take the GRE is because I have applied to a Virtual Internship with the State Department and if I manage to get it, I need admission to a graduate course by about September. It seems like I may need to be admitted to it by about September and the GRE may take a while to get back and is also costly. I would like to avoid it, but do you think with my GPA that I can get into the online program at Penn State??? I also don't have the amount of "real world" work experience as some of the other applicants, but I do have plenty of military experience and internship experience. Thoughts?