Competitive? At what schools?

[Alicia1593]

I'll try to keep this as brief as possible.  I'm a señor at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign.  I study the history of women's reproductive right sin Modern American history, I am in the honors program writing about the effectiveness of Roe V. Wade in allowing women to access abortion.

My overall GPA is 3.25.  It dipped during my junior year due to some mental health issues that are now resolved, but I know that no matter how well I do, schools will not see my scores from this semester.

I took a practice GRE tonight and received V; 153 Q: 153.  I am not taking the GRE for another week, so I am hoping to improve and that this score was the result of being unsure of what to expect, as well as not being able to concentrate wholly on the test for it's entire duration.

I am planning to apply to Sarah Lawrence (for just MA), Temple, university of Wisconsin, Rutgers, Temple, and University of Illinois Urbana Champaign.

I will have at least two very strong letters of recommendation.  My third will be solid, but maybe not as strong as the first two.

I am looking for advice to make my application more competitive and also to find out if there are any other school suggestions for me that I may be a competitive applicant.  If you have an insight on what to expect out of the schools I have listed here, please include it as well.

Thank you.

[TMP]

I'll try to keep this as brief as possible.  I'm a señor at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign.  I study the history of women's reproductive right sin Modern American history, I am in the honors program writing about the effectiveness of Roe V. Wade in allowing women to access abortion.

Love this "autocorrect."

 

In all more seriousness, you might be interested in Ohio State as the department recently strengthened its modern US history program in the area of women, gender, and sexuality.

 

Your GPA is a bit low and I'd encourage you to apply to more MA programs.  

 

I wouldn't stay at UIUC for your PhD unless you're working with a super star because  having all three degrees (BA, MA, and PhD) from one institution suggests that you might not have broad intellectual exposure as if you do take 2 out of 3 degrees in one institution.  No two departments are alike and you would be challenged at each department you work in.

[Alicia1593]

Thanks for the reply. 

I've been in touch with two professors at Rutgers.  One is in charge of graduate studies and she tells me that the writing sample, personal statement, and letters of recommendation are basically what they base your application on.  They do of course, require the GRE and your GPA.  I am hopeful that I am not immediately disqualified as I was told that they are currently looking for and accepting people who study what my work is on.  On the other hand, I am terrified that I will be immediately disqualified for my GPA.

I am also concerned about applying for MA programs because as a matter of fact, I just can not afford to take on any more student debt.

[stillalivetui]

Some programs do fund MA degrees, so be on the look out for that.