Last night was phenomenal, yes.
I start my own new beginnings. I have a meeting with an academic advisor week after next, and today I picked up my academic transcripts so I can go back to school.
I’m finding out what my options are.
My math and foreign language grades are embarrassing, but I still graduated with a 3.11 overall (was a 4.0 before I started the math and language requirements) and had a number of semesters on the Dean’s List and with Semester Honors (again, before the math and language reqs). That’s nothing to scoff at, right? Sigh.
For the last year I’ve been deeply unhappy with my work situation and I’m ready to move on. With the economy being what it is, I don’t know how well I’ll do, but I’m committed. I have no idea how I’m going to afford any of this, time-wise or money-wise, but whatever. Spend some to make some, I’ve heard.
Go for it. The relief from leaving a misery-inducing job alone is worth the price. You know – and we know – you can do it. It’s just convincing those who will review your app that GPA is not your total picture.
Also, think about reporting “Major GPA” in your field of specialization (like, if your math is the pits but your concentration was social studies and you got all A grades there). There are ways around. One of the guys in my doctoral program had a really, truly shitty undergrad GPA but got in because he was able to make the argument – about a double major – that the one he was pursuing grad work in was an A/B average and his other major (a very hard science that he pursued for intellectual curiosity) was where all the Ds resided. In addition, contacting the Graduate Director (or similar title) of the program you are applying to is often helpful. Show that person that you are bright, motivated and capable, and it can often grease the skids for department admissions committees (and getting TA assignments offering small wages and benefits).
Yes, you can!
Hooray!
I just started my first semester of Grad school, and it sounds like our undergrad experiences were not entirely different. I had a 3.11 overall, as well, although I didn’t even do as well as you–I only made the Dean’s List once, and didn’t have a 4.0 ever. Anyway, I was accepted to an amazing school that ranks in the top ten in my field, even with that 3.11. I’d definitely mention your major GPA, and if you can, visit with and get in touch with the admissions people. I think that meeting with the VP of admissions helped me a lot. It was nice to get my admissions letter with a handwritten note congratulating me and wishing me well. =)
Best of luck to you, for sure. I’m still trying to figure out how to make this whole school thing work, but I’m ridiculously glad I’m doing it.
Rob Schneider from the Waterboy says, “You can do it!”
Go you!
Don’t worry about the GPA. I got into a very very good law school with barely a 3.0. My college transcript has at least one of every grade except for an F — and the really funny part is that I got my D- in Constitutional Law, of all things. There’s a reason for that related to the freakiness of the professor and how stretched thin I was back then. But in the end, what mattered more was my LSAT and other factors such as the fact that I’d been working for a few years as a newspaper reporter.
You’ve got interesting life story written all over you, the kind that grad schools like to see. You got derailed from your original plan when you got pregnant, then got back on track and got your degree while raising your son and starting a big-ass feminist blog. That math grade isn’t going to matter all that much against that background.
What is it about math and foreign languages? Do those two disciplines work off the same part of the brain?
I had so many problems with math and foreign languages in college that I was eventually diagnosed with a learning disability. My dean waived the language courses, and I was allowed into special ed courses for the math. Of course, my GPA was in shambles by then.
But I don’t care. I’m very good in my major, and my grad school applications will be mailed next month. We can’t go through life thinking in terms of what we can’t do.
I wish the best for you, Lauren.
Great call. Spend some to make some is my life story, and yes, it works and it will work for you.
People switch jobs or careers on average 3x in their 30s. This isn’t crazy, it’s a smart step.
I’d love to hear details! What kind of school are you looking at? What do you want to do?
Don’t worry about the resume. As zuzu said, you have great experience to put down, and an interesting story. I was able to somehow disguise the 2 years as a Vegas stripper with various assorted crap, you have a whole lot more to work with.
If you’d like a second look on the resume from someone in the career biz, please don’t hesitate — you know my email.
Go for it, Lauren!
If you’d like to talk with me more about graduate school – something with which I am intimately familiar – feel free to drop me a line. Some aspects of grad school will vary from program to program, and others are more or less consistent no matter where you go.
I’d say more here, but that would take a long time.
Ditto that on the “if you want anyone to talk to” invitation. I’ve probably had some experience in grad studies at one place you’re looking, as I’m sure others have as well. Give a shout if you think there’s something for which I might be helpful! Good for you, and best of luck!