Upping my chances: certificate or non-degree grad classes

[anthroliz]

Hi! I have been lurking here a bit and I would love to get some feedback.

So I have a less than stellar record: BA GPA 3.14 (3.6 in major, which was social anth) and a very so-so cumulative GRE of 1100 cumulative with a 4 on the analytical. I am going to retake my GRE but before I apply to any MA programs I would like to improve my application. I am interested in an MA in Medical Anthropology so I was considering either picking up a few graduate level courses from my local university (which has a medical anthropology MA program that I am interested in) or doing a Public Health certificate program.

Another kicker is that I have been out of school for two years working in a completely non-related field. I have no research experience and now that I am so far out of school I am not quite sure how to get any.

Any advice would be amazingly helpful.

Thanks!

[anthropologygeek]

Take a class, get to a prof so you have at least one recent recommendation. Do some research in what your interested and poster or present at even a small conference would definitely help your chances.

[CallieTrichid]

Just as an FYI: if you're planning on applying this year and you want your GRE scores out *before* November, you'll have needed to taken the GRE before August, so depending on certain schools you're looking at (more specifically, deadlines), if you plan on retaking it, the sooner the better. They're a little backed up because of the revised GRE, but after November, things should be fine.

I'm in kind of a similar boat with grades and GRE score (though, I've been told it matters more on what certain scores you've gotten: a higher verbal for Anthropology is prized more highly than quant). It won't hurt to go back and get some classes and I'd definitely talk to the professor of those courses to see if you can get into a field school program or maybe assist on a research project. Another good idea is to maybe volunteer at your local hospital, that way you have some sort of medical-field experience too.

[anthroliz]

Thanks for the advice you guys.

Callie: I am looking at SDSU as well and their deadline for GRE scores is January 7, so as long as I get it done by Christmas I should be good . I am not sure if I am ready to apply though, I sent an email to the grad coordinator about coming down and speaking with someone about my viability as an applicant. I've been out of the game for so long I am worried that I may not be up to snuff.

Anthropologygeek: so you figure I should just do research on my own and poster somewhere rather than trying to find a project to jump onto?