Really anxious and need a little insight

[bente9]

Hello, everyone.

While I am aware that there is not one definitive list of achievements that can guarantee acceptance into a graduate program, I would still very much appreciate some insight!

I was born and raised in the Philippines, came here at 17 in 2001, attended 2 community colleges and received A's in all courses but 2, where I got a B and a C (I got a C in statistics, and I regret fooling around!). I then attended UCLA where I earned "decent", but perhaps, not competitive enough GPAs: 3.47 cumulative, 3.39 global, and 3.62 major. I always thought about grad school but was freaked out about my finances, primarily, so I fell into the insurance industry. I needed a job! I'm still here. I am pushing 30 and have been thinking about grad school so much.

I was a timid student who didn't talk in class but had great writing skills, which were recognized by some of my professors. I didn't do an independent field research project but was chosen as a research assistant by 2 sociology professors at UCLA. My job was to transcribe videotaped conversations at pediatric clinics. Even then, I wouldn't say I developed strong relationships with professors. I can think of 1, maybe 2, who might remember me and be willing to write good recommendation letters.

I graduated in 2006.

I have become quite involved in community organizing and have led a grassroots campaign around healthcare and feminist issues in Seattle. I have been a speaker in a number of events and have written a few community newspaper articles.

I am starting my GRE prep course on Monday, and I am very anxious! Math is not a strength of mine, but I am fairly confident I can do it. I think I am more anxious about the idea that MAYBE this is all a waste of energy because MAYBE I just don't have enough.

My hope is to get a Ph.D in sociology. I am interested in stratification, Marxist philosophies, gender, feminism, race, and migration, to name a few.

What, if there is anything, can I do to be more appealing to admissions committees? Or should I just accept the idea that grad school was always just an unrealistic ambition?

[rising_star]

Get a master's in sociology first. Or, at least take a few graduate level courses in sociology so they can see that you're serious about this.

[juilletmercredi]

I agree with the above advice: you may find that you need to get an MA in sociology first, or take a few sociology classes on the graduate level. It's partially because of your GPA but partially because of the gap between the last time you did sociology research and now. Community organizing is great, but it's very different from sociological research.

You may also want to see if you can get some research experience volunteering with a professor, if you don't get an MA. Right now, with 6-years-ago research you aren't a very competitive candidate for a PhD in sociology.

[bente9]

Thank you both. I really appreciate the advice.

I've actually been reading a lot about MPP and MPA degrees lately, and I somehow feel that they would be a better fit...