Rejected from International Education Program

[optimusrhyme]

I'm a recent college graduate with a B.S. in Secondary English Education. Besides a lot of substitute teaching experience, I've taught literacy and English to local students in Chile for six months for an educational development organization. The reason I went abroad was to improve my chances of getting in to an International Education program, but I think I was rejected for my lack of experience--my GPA and GRE are strong. Any advice on the kinds of jobs I should pursue now so I can re-apply next season with more experience? Thoughts?

Thanks for your feedback everyone! : )

[straycat]

I'm a recent college graduate with a B.S. in Secondary English Education. Besides a lot of substitute teaching experience, I've taught literacy and English to local students in Chile for six months for an educational development organization. The reason I went abroad was to improve my chances of getting in to an International Education program, but I think I was rejected for my lack of experience--my GPA and GRE are strong. Any advice on the kinds of jobs I should pursue now so I can re-apply next season with more experience? Thoughts?

Thanks for your feedback everyone! : )

What do you mean by a lot of substitute teaching? 2 years? 10 years? If you got your degree in Secondary English Education, are you interested in working with English Language Learners and getting a teaching credential? There are jobs for ELL teachers...

[DeepShadeofBlue]

If you're really wanting to stay in the International Education field, I would suggest trying to go abroad again. Programs really like to see that you haven't just been abroad, but that there's been some depth to your experience. They, and really any potential new employer, like to see that you've given at least a 1 year commitment to whatever you've been doing. That shows stability and reliability. I know finding employment is pretty rough these days, so keep in mind opportunities like unpaid internships and volunteering. Maybe there are some openings at literacy councils around your city, or tutoring in after school programs, or at the library. Maybe you could even start a meetup group in your area, dedicated to a language exchange and immersion between foreign-language speakers and english speakers. Good luck with your pursuits!

[dylahwerbner]

Did you get an official rejection or are you just assuming you got rejected because people got admitted today on grad cafe? If you didn't get accepted today,but didn't get rejected, there might still be hope. Did you check the website? What did it say exactly? I haven't gotten an acceptance or a rejection yet...dont know what that means...

[t_ruth]

Are you sure there weren't other factors? Did you make contact w/the profs ahead of time? Did you have a good research match and write a stellar SOP highlighting that match? I know that people w/unbelievably awesome creds get rejected for lack of match...

[optimusrhyme]

What do you mean by a lot of substitute teaching? 2 years? 10 years? If you got your degree in Secondary English Education, are you interested in working with English Language Learners and getting a teaching credential? There are jobs for ELL teachers...

I have two years substitute teaching experience on top of the six months I spent working with a small NGO in Chile. I'm going to look more into this ELL option, Thanks!

[optimusrhyme]

If you're really wanting to stay in the International Education field, I would suggest trying to go abroad again. Programs really like to see that you haven't just been abroad, but that there's been some depth to your experience. They, and really any potential new employer, like to see that you've given at least a 1 year commitment to whatever you've been doing. That shows stability and reliability. I know finding employment is pretty rough these days, so keep in mind opportunities like unpaid internships and volunteering. Maybe there are some openings at literacy councils around your city, or tutoring in after school programs, or at the library. Maybe you could even start a meetup group in your area, dedicated to a language exchange and immersion between foreign-language speakers and english speakers. Good luck with your pursuits!

Yea, you raise a good point. I wish I would have stayed longer than six months... It seems like a longer experience would be required for a program like this since a lot of the courses seem to be geared more toward policy and leadership..

[optimusrhyme]

Are you sure there weren't other factors? Did you make contact w/the profs ahead of time? Did you have a good research match and write a stellar SOP highlighting that match? I know that people w/unbelievably awesome creds get rejected for lack of match...

I'm not sure... it's possible. The program director seemed enthusiastic about my experience and research interests when I corresponded with her via email..which I mentioned in my SOP.. As expected the rejection letter didn't give a reason.. Since I want to do educational development work in Latin America, I'm exploring a three-course graduate certificate in Latin American studies from Fordham to strengthen my app next time around. Does this sound like a good move?

Edited March 16, 2010 by nathaniel.rojas

[JMP2012]

I won't claim to be an admissions expert as I've been out of school for 6 years, but I have been accepted to the IEP program at Vanderbilt and waitlisted at Harvard so maybe I can offer a little insight by giving some of my background. I am currently in my 6th year of teaching. I spent 1 of those years teaching overseas and the rest in public schools here in the US. I have a lot of experience working with ELs. I really have come to the conclusion that admission commitees want to see that you have passion for the area of study and that you have some experience to back it up. I think that getting some more experience and course work in the area you feel passionate about sounds like a great idea. I think that shows admissions that you are committed and passionate about education. Best of luck as you continue to pursue your passion!

[optimusrhyme]

I won't claim to be an admissions expert as I've been out of school for 6 years, but I have been accepted to the IEP program at Vanderbilt and waitlisted at Harvard so maybe I can offer a little insight by giving some of my background. I am currently in my 6th year of teaching. I spent 1 of those years teaching overseas and the rest in public schools here in the US. I have a lot of experience working with ELs. I really have come to the conclusion that admission commitees want to see that you have passion for the area of study and that you have some experience to back it up. I think that getting some more experience and course work in the area you feel passionate about sounds like a great idea. I think that shows admissions that you are committed and passionate about education. Best of luck as you continue to pursue your passion!

Thanks very much for the wise words, lisanicole. I think you're right; I'm going to get some more experience under my belt.

Cheers!