Advice for Abroad Applicant

[PCV]

Hello all,

 

I am new to this forum and am seeking advice. I graduated in May 2012 with degrees in Psych and Human Development. Unfortunately my undergrad GPA is only a 3.3 due to a horrible first year. I am planning on completing the required pre-reqs online through Kean or USU beginning this fall.

 

I am currently living overseas in Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer so do not plan on applying for admission until Fall 2015. However, is there anything I can do while overseas to strengthen my application other than trying my hardest on the GRE and getting As in the pre-reqs?

 

Additional Experience:

-Received my CELTA in July 2012 and taught ESL for several months before leaving for PC

-Undergrad internships: tutored/mentored at a middle school, interned with Head Start, interned at a place for art therapy, tutored students with autism, taught English at a refugee center while studying abroad in Athens 

 

I already posted this on the livejournal page so sorry if you've seen this twice! Just trying to get as much advice/information as possible. Thanks so much!

[midnight]

I think making good grades in your pre-reqs and doing well on the GRE are possibly the most important things you can do at this point. Of course your volunteer experience with Peace Corps will add a lot to your CV, and you might be able to find some sort of SLP-related work (direct or tangential) while in Africa. Either way, your time overseas will boost your application and can possibly be explored in your SOP along with all of your other great experiences. You sound like a strong and interesting applicant to me!

 

Good luck!