MPA Program at UNO (New Orleans), advice?

[Sazerac]

To give some background...

Three years ago I returned to school (I had serious depression issues and left school as an undergrad in 1998 with a 1.8 GPA). I returned and took 3 classes in 2001 and made straight As (got my GPA up to a 2.1 however as I was working full time I could not finish school...at the University of Georgia).

In 2007, I started at Tulane...and Tulane only transferred my classes but they do not count your prior grades into your GPA and as a part time student I recently graduated with a 3.85/cum laude (Tulane Univ. only grades). I also studied under James Carville...and I generally enjoyed being an college, A LOT.

Fast forward to today, I paid for a Kaplan GRE course...I am doing so poorly in the quant/math currently. My practice GRE had me at a 570 verbal/330 math (without studying)...I'm confident my verbal will go up...but my math may go down from there. I feel defeated right now...

My plans were to apply to the MPA Program at the University of New Orleans. I spoke with the program's director...and he said they considered that you would need 500 v/500 q to be competitive (I'm not going to come close to that).

What are my options? I could take the GRE and fail the math on an epic level...not take the GRE...or study for the next 5 years (and still fail the math).

(Oh and I am in my mid 30s, and have 12 years of work experience but none in the field...I work in IT and want to change careers. I did intern with an elected offical in the past year as well as working as paid campaign staff. I can get a letter of recommendation from this offical as well as at least 3 professors, possibly more)

I want to go to grad school...badly...and I want to start in January.

Edited July 28, 2010 by Sazerac

[Eigen]

I would say study for the math.

It's all lower level stuff, and with repetition you should be able to at least get a 500. There are lots of good study guides available.

As to university choice, is there any particular reason you're looking at UNO over staying at Tulane?

From what I recall most masters programs here are unfunded, but I'd imagine the degree would take you a lot farther than one from UNO would.

::edit:: Also keep in mind that the Kaplan practice tests tend to give you lower results than you will get on the real GRE.

Edited July 28, 2010 by Eigen

[Sazerac]

Tulane has no MPA/MPP program. They are law school-centric

I did see Northwestern has a Continuing Studies

Master of Arts in Public Policy & Administration

online and on campus...which would be an alternative...

[Eigen]

Ah, sorry, I didn't look it up before assuming.

LSU up the road also has an MPA program, if you want to take a look at that.

[MaxwellAlum]

I would say study for the math.

It's all lower level stuff, and with repetition you should be able to at least get a 500. There are lots of good study guides available.

As to university choice, is there any particular reason you're looking at UNO over staying at Tulane?

From what I recall most masters programs here are unfunded, but I'd imagine the degree would take you a lot farther than one from UNO would.

::edit:: Also keep in mind that the Kaplan practice tests tend to give you lower results than you will get on the real GRE.

I did an online Princeton Review practice GRE and flipped out because my scores were in the 500s, whereas on previous tests from my Barron's book I had 600s. A few days later I took the official GRE practice test (the PowerPrep stuff you get when you register or can download from the website) and got 700s. When I took the actual test, my scores were in the 700s. The test prep companies try to freak you out by giving you a lower score than you'd actually get. Definitely do the official practice tests (you can download them free from the GRE website), to know how you'd actually do.

[Sazerac]

I did an online Princeton Review practice GRE and flipped out because my scores were in the 500s, whereas on previous tests from my Barron's book I had 600s. A few days later I took the official GRE practice test (the PowerPrep stuff you get when you register or can download from the website) and got 700s. When I took the actual test, my scores were in the 700s. The test prep companies try to freak you out by giving you a lower score than you'd actually get. Definitely do the official practice tests (you can download them free from the GRE website), to know how you'd actually do.

Actually I'm done with the GRE. I can't take this any longer.

U of Baltimore, Northeastern (and Northwestern) don't require the GRE. Any other options you all are aware of?

[Sazerac]

Actually I'm done with the GRE. I can't take this any longer.

U of Baltimore, Northeastern (and Northwestern) don't require the GRE. Any other options you all are aware of?

Also...

How is a program going to calculate my GPA since my UGA GPA is a 2.1 (nearly graduated...had a 1.8 until 2001-2002 when I made straight As)

my Tulane GPA is a 3.85 (I took 48 hours) and Tulane didnt factor UGA's GPA at all.

[Eigen]

If I recall, my applications had slots for each previous institution, with a slot to place the GPA at that institution in.

And you will submit both transcripts.