Non-Matriculating Grad School

[bholland]

I'm an undergraduate senior from a Boston school with a 3.0 GPA, a college transfer (Syracuse Univ. for two years), 2 good internships, and possibly one teacher recommendation. Havent taken the GREs yet, but Im confident I can score appropriately for the best schools. Problem is I dont think the GPA and one 1 rec. will do...

I want to go to the best graduate school I can. I was slow out of the gate my first 2 years in college with bad grades and it hurt me. I'm just hitting my stride now and I'm looking forward to going to a new environment and devoting myself. Problem is, I dont know where...

I feel like my heart is way above my head on this one, and I'm exploring the options of the non-matriculated student. I'm wondering if being a non-degree graduate student at a university for a semester and getting As will get me in.

Does anyone have any experience or can anyone shed any light on this? Initially my mind jumps to American University's SIS, because its the largest in the country, I assume it would be the most accommodating to this, and its ranked #8 by Foreign Policy Magazine.

I just feel like my resume and credentials don't accurately reflect my ability.