Do I have a chance to get into the top 20 Higher Ed. Program?

[onelife]

Hello Everyone, 

I have been thinking about applying into several of the top 20 Higher Education M.A program, but I have also been doubting my chances of getting in. Here are my are my stats:

 

• I graduated with a 3.5 from a HBCU
• I have several leadership experiences at my school  
• I have also worked at the University for the past 2 years
• I will be doing a Fulbright Related ETA in France for the 2013-2014 academic school year 
• I have yet to take my GRE

I need opinions and advices.

 

Thank you 

[Quant_Liz_Lemon]

What are your practice scores for the GRE?

[JBums1028]

This might seem like obvious advice, but make sure you are tailor your personal statement essays to each of the programs. I had a visit with someone from Michigan's program and she said that when they read your essays they consider things like whether or not they have a faculty member with similar interests to you that can serve as your advisor, whether they offer you internships in the fields you are interested in, etc. If they find that your goals aren't matching up with what the program can provide you, that most likely you won't be admitted because they don't see you as a good fit (even if you have great credentials). So you want to be very specific and clear in your essays about what your interests and goals are in higher ed. It can only help your chances of being admitted to a program.

[hesadork]

Well, wait a second.  What do you consider to be a "top 20 Higher Ed MA" program?  The USNWR rankings of Higher Ed programs are for doctoral programs, not master's.  Huge difference.  Some of the best PhD/EdD programs in this field treat their master's students as nothing more than cash cows/free labor.  And some very fine master's programs aren't ranked well (or at all) by virtue of modest (or non-existent) doctoral offerings.  I'm not aware of any recent rankings of master's programs that could help clarify this situation.

 

In my opinion, you're far better off thinking about things like length of program, internship opportunities/requirements, net cost and regional placement than about "prestige" when pursuing a master's in this field.  Particularly if you have to pay tens of thousands of dollars for that prestige.

 

FWIW I think your credentials will hold you in very good stead.  

Edited July 14, 2013 by ADLNYC

[RedPill]

Well, wait a second.  What do you consider to be a "top 20 Higher Ed MA" program?  The USNWR rankings of Higher Ed programs are for doctoral programs, not master's.  Huge difference.  Some of the best PhD/EdD programs in this field treat their master's students as nothing more than cash cows/free labor.  And some very fine master's programs aren't ranked well (or at all) by virtue of modest (or non-existent) doctoral offerings.  I'm not aware of any recent rankings of master's programs that could help clarify this situation.

 

In my opinion, you're far better off thinking about things like length of program, internship opportunities/requirements, net cost and regional placement than about "prestige" when pursuing a master's in this field.  Particularly if you have to pay tens of thousands of dollars for that prestige.

 

FWIW I think your credentials will hold you in very good stead.  

 

Would you mind elaborating on this? Which particular programs don't really pay much mind to their MA candidates? 

[hesadork]

I was referring to institutions with highly ranked HESA PhD/EdD programs that have master's programs that: 1) offer little to no financial assistance; and/or 2) have huge enrollments.  

 

I'd rather not name individual programs; it's easy enough to tick through the USNWR list with these criteria in mind and get a sense of where the red flags might be.

Edited November 22, 2013 by hesadork