Will my experience help my application for Higher Ed. Masters Programs?

[easteregg]

Hello everyone! I have a few questions regarding graduate programs in Higher Education.

 

I am planning on applying to programs for Fall 2014 admission. My main goal is really to get an understanding of how Universities work to make university wide improvements for students in areas such as Financial Aid, Student Activities, Advising, Student Life, etc. I really do enjoy helping students, but want to affect change for as many students as possible, rather than working in one specific area with students. I know several programs discuss about a good "fit" when talking about admissions, and I don't know if this goal seems solid enough to be accepted by programs. I also know I may not be able to accomplish this goal right away and will need to work my way up through Higher Education Administration to be able to have such an influence. Are there specific programs I should be looking at or avoiding with this purpose? So far, I've looked into GWU, UVA, and University of Maryland, since they are located near my home state. I am starting to look outside of the DMV area, although I want to work either in VA or DC.

 

Also, my academic record is not best, and there were semesters where I was part time rather than full time, for financial reasons. My GPA overall is 2.8, in-major is 3.1. My GPA should rise up over 3.0 after this semester, and in-major should be around 3.3-3.4. I've had to deal with unique circumstances that caused my GPA to take a dive last year, but it has been improving after I was able to get away from the issue. I plan on explaining this in an additional document that I will add to applications. Although my academics have not been great, I have been able to get lots of experience in Higher Education. Over the past two years, I have had several student leadership roles, am involved in Student Government, worked in the Admissions Office and Orientation Office, worked as a student admissions representative to minority/underrepresentative/low income high schoolers, serve on a University appointed governing organization for Student Affairs, have met with our Board of Visitors and serve on a Student Committee for them, and several other extracurricular activities. I have also held an 8 week internship with a private Higher Education Management organization. Will this help balance my GPA?

 

TL;DR- I want to go to grad school for Higher Ed, and am looking for places that fit my goals. GPA isn't that great, but I have a lot of experience.

 

 

[2futurehighered]

I think I know you, we interned with the same company this summer! We met at the beginning of the summer, but I remember you because you were the only one from VT. Anyway, I just finished my applications for GWU, UVa, Michigan, Loyola Chicago, Penn and NYU. I spoke with some students and faculty in these programs and experience can DEFINITELY help you a lot. Many students I met did not have extensive involvement in student leadership and activities during undergrad. If your GPA is an upward trend and you have more As and Bs in your more recent semesters, I think you are a strong candidate.

 

If you get the chance this semester or summer, visit as many programs as you can. Meeting people who are already in these programs can give you a better idea of what their programs focus on.