How important is experience?

[teacup]

Hi. So I'm new to the idea of library science, which sounds bad, I know. But I feel it's like one of those situations in romantic comedies where the heroine thinks she's in love with a hunk, then bam! there's her schlubbily cute best friend, suddenly not so schlubby anymore. It was there the whole time. Okay, anyway: I'm really into library science now.

As I am late to the game, a lot of schools are out of contention for the fall. So far I have the University of Missouri and the University of Michigan. I should be able to get into Mizzou, as that's where I got my undergrad. But I'm curious about Michigan. According to their website, they admit about 85% of their applicants. That should say good things, right? Their average GPA is a little under 3.5 (so is mine, but if you take just the last 2 or 3 years, it's a 3.8), and average GRE V = 587 (I got a 600) and Q = 680 (640...embarrassing), A = 5.0 (same). So, even though my Quantitative score is a bit shameful (I consider my whole score to be shameful, but I am the WORST when it comes to taking tests early in the morning...and taking tests in general), I'm not completely out of my league. I have a B.A. in Psychology and work with people on the autism spectrum. The most rewarding part of my job has been teaching people to read, far more than the behavioral aspects of what I do. In college I was involved with the local Literacy Council, distributing books and doing classroom readings and such.

Research-wise, I am most interested in the distribution of information to marginalized populations (which matches one of the faculty at Michigan), particularly libraries' literacy programs. So I'm thinking of a specialization in Information Policy in addition to the strictly-library stuff.

I have never worked or volunteered in a library. Will this hurt me? I did a lot of research-assistant stuff in college and have plenty of experience with the collection, manipulation, and categorization of data. But no libraries. None.

I graduated in 2008 and have applied to multiple grad schools since then, to no avail. True, those were Ph.D programs with 4% acceptance rates, but I'm not super-stoked about the prospect of spending another $100 on another rejection letter. So if you think I have no chance, please tell me. Like I said, I'm new to the library science idea and don't know how much experience figures into the acceptance equation.

Thanks!

[sacklunch]

Hi. So I'm new to the idea of library science, which sounds bad, I know. But I feel it's like one of those situations in romantic comedies where the heroine thinks she's in love with a hunk, then bam! there's her schlubbily cute best friend, suddenly not so schlubby anymore. It was there the whole time. Okay, anyway: I'm really into library science now.

As I am late to the game, a lot of schools are out of contention for the fall. So far I have the University of Missouri and the University of Michigan. I should be able to get into Mizzou, as that's where I got my undergrad. But I'm curious about Michigan. According to their website, they admit about 85% of their applicants. That should say good things, right? Their average GPA is a little under 3.5 (so is mine, but if you take just the last 2 or 3 years, it's a 3.8), and average GRE V = 587 (I got a 600) and Q = 680 (640...embarrassing), A = 5.0 (same). So, even though my Quantitative score is a bit shameful (I consider my whole score to be shameful, but I am the WORST when it comes to taking tests early in the morning...and taking tests in general), I'm not completely out of my league. I have a B.A. in Psychology and work with people on the autism spectrum. The most rewarding part of my job has been teaching people to read, far more than the behavioral aspects of what I do. In college I was involved with the local Literacy Council, distributing books and doing classroom readings and such.

Research-wise, I am most interested in the distribution of information to marginalized populations (which matches one of the faculty at Michigan), particularly libraries' literacy programs. So I'm thinking of a specialization in Information Policy in addition to the strictly-library stuff.

I have never worked or volunteered in a library. Will this hurt me? I did a lot of research-assistant stuff in college and have plenty of experience with the collection, manipulation, and categorization of data. But no libraries. None.

I graduated in 2008 and have applied to multiple grad schools since then, to no avail. True, those were Ph.D programs with 4% acceptance rates, but I'm not super-stoked about the prospect of spending another $100 on another rejection letter. So if you think I have no chance, please tell me. Like I said, I'm new to the library science idea and don't know how much experience figures into the acceptance equation.

Thanks!

For what it's worth, my friend is doing her library science graduate degree through MU, but has her UG in speech pathology from MSU.

[dogbert]

It seems to me that you have the makings of a compelling SoP with your background teaching autism-spectrum folks how to read. From my understanding, library science program aren't nearly as fuss-budgety about GRE scores, etc., as some grad programs. I'd say: go for it!

[SimilarlyDifferent]

I don't think it will hurt you when you apply that you don't yet have any experience. Some of these schools take students right out of undergrad. I would advise you to get some experience while you are in the program though, because while it might not hurt your chances of getting in, it might hurt your chances of getting a job when you leave.

I've heard others say that you should try working in a library before you apply to make sure you have a realistic view of the profession, and/or that you will actually like the job. If you find that you don't, you might want to look into becoming a Reading Specialist, which you can also earn as a MA degree.

[Phyl]

I didn't have any library experience and had grades/scores comparable or a little lower than yours when I applied and was accepted to 4 schools.

Start getting experience now though if you don't want to be screwed when looking for jobs. Lots of "entry level" positions are looking for 3+ years of experience. I've never had a problem finding an internship when looking to intern for free, but I'm trying to get paid this summer and my options are more limited.

[Weepsie]

In terms of getting onto a degree programme, most seems to want some entry level experience, often a few weeks. Some will take you on merit with previous results taken into account. It's quite a competitive profession by all accounts. I'm over in Europe looking to do the MLIS in canada, though I've somewhere to fall back on. There are not many openings at the moment in the sector so it's important to get experience for once you graduate if not before hand. I took 6 months unpaid and am now fortunate to have a year long contract that is aimed at preparing me the course.