how badly am i wasting my time applying to HGSE (brutal honesty)

[ihatetheGRE]

My gre scores are terrible and my GPA isn't the most desired....i'm submitting in a couple weeks or so and want to see if i should keep my fingers crossed or just forget about it until i get the rejection letter...here's my 411:

applying for TEP (teaching and curriculum part of program)GPA: 3.4 in History major / 3.4 overall from emmanuel college in boston

GRE: 460 V / 430 Q

SOP: strong evidence of a lifelong interest / devotion to social justice / education

LOR: 3 strong recs....1 academic from current Harvard faculty (at Davis Center...was my professor when i was an undergrad)....1 "other" from alumni (he's also an asst. superintendant of chelsea, ma)....and 1 "academic" from my undergrad history professor (close relationship)

Work experience: I have license to teach in MA and have about 4 months (so far) as a full-time substitute teacher in a hard, urban setting in MA. tutoring as well in urban setting.

Life experience: during and after graduating from undergraduate I travelled the entire world as a successful musician. worldly experiences, left behind to teach, etc....

[Airwick]

My gre scores are terrible and my GPA isn't the most desired....i'm submitting in a couple weeks or so and want to see if i should keep my fingers crossed or just forget about it until i get the rejection letter...here's my 411:

applying for TEP (teaching and curriculum part of program)GPA: 3.4 in History major / 3.4 overall from emmanuel college in boston

GRE: 460 V / 430 Q

SOP: strong evidence of a lifelong interest / devotion to social justice / education

LOR: 3 strong recs....1 academic from current Harvard faculty (at Davis Center...was my professor when i was an undergrad)....1 "other" from alumni (he's also an asst. superintendant of chelsea, ma)....and 1 "academic" from my undergrad history professor (close relationship)

Work experience: I have license to teach in MA and have about 4 months (so far) as a full-time substitute teacher in a hard, urban setting in MA. tutoring as well in urban setting.

Life experience: during and after graduating from undergraduate I travelled the entire world as a successful musician. worldly experiences, left behind to teach, etc....

Doubt a four-hour test will overshadow your devotion and experience in the field If I may ask: Why HGSE?

Edited December 11, 2010 by Airwick

[t_ruth]

Sounds like you can tell a good story, which would help. But why on earth are your test scores so low? The only thing that would concern me is HOW low they are. I mean, it doesn't take much studying to bring the math portion up, so I would think that you didn't invest that much effort into it It might be a problem if you can't explain it, kwim?

[Carolina2008]

My gre scores are terrible and my GPA isn't the most desired....i'm submitting in a couple weeks or so and want to see if i should keep my fingers crossed or just forget about it until i get the rejection letter...here's my 411:

applying for TEP (teaching and curriculum part of program)GPA: 3.4 in History major / 3.4 overall from emmanuel college in boston

GRE: 460 V / 430 Q

SOP: strong evidence of a lifelong interest / devotion to social justice / education

LOR: 3 strong recs....1 academic from current Harvard faculty (at Davis Center...was my professor when i was an undergrad)....1 "other" from alumni (he's also an asst. superintendant of chelsea, ma)....and 1 "academic" from my undergrad history professor (close relationship)

Work experience: I have license to teach in MA and have about 4 months (so far) as a full-time substitute teacher in a hard, urban setting in MA. tutoring as well in urban setting.

Life experience: during and after graduating from undergraduate I travelled the entire world as a successful musician. worldly experiences, left behind to teach, etc....

I did a great deal of research (spoke to alumni, students, and admissions reps) before applying and my sense is if you can demonstrate a strong commitment you have a shot. One current student said he had 770 on his GREs and came straight for a smaller public undergrad, his background and commitment overshadowed this, however.

In my case I have and 1100 GRE (mostly low in Math), 3.6 GPA with a bachelors in History & Psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill, 3.6 GPA from Brown with a Masters in History, 3 years in non-profit management, 2 years in Higher Ed, & 2 yrs in research. I highlighted in my essay, however, that I was a low-income first generation student and former high school dropout. Since I want to work on college access & success issues I think that gives me a unique perspective.

I don't know whether I'll get in or not, but I did receive a lot of encouragement from the school. I think HGSE looks for diversity & passion first & foremost, so you might as well give it a shot!