PhD - Urban Education - Am I qualified??

[KJ]

I am interested in gaining admission into a PhD program in Urban Education, but I am not quite sure if I am qualified since it appears as if many applicants are in education-related career fields and have several years of experience.

I have a BFA in Mass Communications (3.81), an MA in Film and Television (3.6 - pursued right after my BFA), and am currently pursuing an MA in Communication Arts. I am very interested in pursuing a PhD in Urban Education next Fall, as I have several of hours of volunteer experience with a juvenile detention center, an ESOL program, and an alternative school. While I am 22 years old, my work experience is somewhat limited, as I have worked for two local after-school programs. One is directed at high school students and sponsored by the local university, while the other is sponsored by a local governmental authority and aimed at serving elementary school students. I also have two publications in refereed peer review journals and have served as a reviewer for a peer reviewed communications journal.

I have three strong letters of recommendation (2 Professors, 1 Internship)...GRE scores (Q=157 / V = 155). I am very interested in USC.

If this does not suffice, then what type of experience should I seek and where should I improve to become a more qualified applicant?

Edited October 28, 2015 by KJ

[gaillardsghost]

What do you intend to do with a PhD in "Urban Education"? 

[nm16]

^ Second the above.  While you already seem like a strong candidate (previous publications, internships that are relevant), I think your SOP will be your strongest card in the game to proving that you have the maturity and tenacity to make it through a PhD program. For example, your SOP should probably explain why a PhD is a better fit for you, rather than a MA or MEd. What is your end goal w/a PhD? Why is it an essential?  That's probably the golden question to answer there. :)