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Bad GPA advice...

 
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MikeySaid



Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 509
Location: Torreon, Mexico

PostPosted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 11:38 pm    Post subject: Bad GPA advice... Reply with quote

I graduated from college. But with a low GPA. Cumulative maybe 2.15, 2.2. The reason it's so low isn't because I'm dumb or anything, just... didn't finish some things for a few reasons I'll not bring up here.

I wonder if maybe that looks even worse than just getting C's. I have 6 "incomplete, charged" grades on my transcript from the uni I attended. Those count as F's on my GPA. Take them away and And I think my transcripts are "locked" because I graduated. My GPA would be a 3.14 without those incompletes. HA!

Anyhow... I want/need to do a master's in tesol/applied linguistics to do what I want to do. How do I go about getting into a program? I'd love to do a distance program and teach at the same time... maybe that's not realistic though? If getting into programs with my GPA as-is won't work... how do I demonstrate that I'm prepared to do master's-level work?

Oh, and I've been in the workforce for a year and a half. No, it's not TESOL/EFL.
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Justin Trullinger



Joined: 28 Jan 2005
Posts: 3110
Location: Seoul, South Korea and Myanmar for a bit

PostPosted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 11:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Oh, and I've been in the workforce for a year and a half. No, it's not TESOL/EFL.


Well, get started! To get into a good MA in teaching program, with your grades, having some relevant experience will be a real plus.


Justin
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ls650



Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 3484
Location: British Columbia

PostPosted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 12:18 am    Post subject: Re: Bad GPA advice... Reply with quote

MikeySaid wrote:
I graduated from college. But with a low GPA. Cumulative maybe 2.15, 2.2.
As George W. Bush once said in a speech to new Yale graduates, "And to you C students, you too can be President of the United States!" Razz
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MikeySaid



Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 509
Location: Torreon, Mexico

PostPosted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 12:33 am    Post subject: Re: Bad GPA advice... Reply with quote

ls650 wrote:
As George W. Bush once said in a speech to new Yale graduates, "And to you C students, you too can be President of the United States!" :P


So I somehow worm my way into an interview, then say "but dubya got to be president and he had bad grades!" ??? I'll even promise not to start any wars .

Well... I'll try not to... but I'd sure like to unite California...

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Jetgirly



Joined: 17 Jul 2004
Posts: 741

PostPosted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 2:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Most (all?) universities have "special entrance" paths for students who don't meet the normal entrance requirements for a specific program. They are looking for students who might not have great GPAs, but who can demonstrate their passion for the field. They're looking for relevant volunteer experience, relevant work experience and additional courses you've taken since completing your undergrad degree. If your GPA sucks and you haven't PROVEN your desire to work in that field then you're out of luck (for now).
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Gordon



Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan

PostPosted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 3:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jetgirly wrote:
Most (all?) universities have "special entrance" paths for students who don't meet the normal entrance requirements for a specific program. They are looking for students who might not have great GPAs, but who can demonstrate their passion for the field. They're looking for relevant volunteer experience, relevant work experience and additional courses you've taken since completing your undergrad degree. If your GPA sucks and you haven't PROVEN your desire to work in that field then you're out of luck (for now).


This is true amd I would also recommend getting some experience before you start your masters anyway EVEN IF you had a 4.0.
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nomadykaty



Joined: 03 May 2004
Posts: 60

PostPosted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 4:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Different universities have different requirements. American universities take into consideration your GRE score. So your GPA may be low but if you have a high GRE score, you might be able to get in that way.
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JZer



Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh

PostPosted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 6:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
I graduated from college. But with a low GPA. Cumulative maybe 2.15, 2.2. The reason it's so low isn't because I'm dumb or anything, just... didn't finish some things for a few reasons I'll not bring up here.


Unless you are looking to get into Oxford or Harvard, I doubt that it matters. There are so many MA programs, I suspect that most people could get in somewhere!
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rossttuedu



Joined: 03 Feb 2006
Posts: 66
Location: Tianjin

PostPosted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 6:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What did you get your undergrad in mikey?
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MikeySaid



Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 509
Location: Torreon, Mexico

PostPosted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 6:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

rossttuedu wrote:
What did you get your undergrad in mikey?


World Languages and Cultures, Emphasis in Spanish

I just took my CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test... too easy to believe) and I'm looking at alternative methods for credentialing in California. I'd like to be able to split time between the US and other places, you know... pad the income, see the family once in awhile.

Anyone out there do that? (split time teaching abroad and at home)...
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guangho



Joined: 16 Oct 2004
Posts: 476
Location: in transit

PostPosted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 1:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If I have an M.Ed. and take the CBEST, will that make me a state-certified teacher in CA?
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MikeySaid



Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 509
Location: Torreon, Mexico

PostPosted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 9:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

guangho wrote:
If I have an M.Ed. and take the CBEST, will that make me a state-certified teacher in CA?


No.

But... that depends.

a BA and a CBEST are the bottom-level requirements to teach as a SUB in california... since there always seems to be a shortage of (qualified) teachers just about everywhere, many schools will bring you on as an "intern" or something similar, where you are a teacher, with your own class...

http://www.teachcalifornia.org/require/index.html

There you'll find the requirements for teachers in the Golden State. With the master's, pass the CBEST and find a district that will bring you on as an "intern" and start teaching... the pay.... well it isnt anything special... but a lot of people live on a lot less.
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shyarra



Joined: 28 May 2006
Posts: 22
Location: Taichung, Taiwan

PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 4:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Actually, with an M.Ed., it depends on whether it included a credential or not. If it did, then yes, you are certified to teach. If not, you probably only need to take the CSET, and maybe one or two courses. Either way, you could start teaching immediately through an intern program. Heck, I could start teaching immediately through an intern program, and I only have a B.A. and my CBEST scores.

As for Mikey, I know it's been several months, but several school districts in southern California are looking desperately for teachers, and if you mention the Spanish bit...

My GPA wasn't too hot either (I had my own share of Fs and Zs and Ws), but I leave for Taiwan in July. Of course, I'm waiting until after I have work experience to try for an M.A. (or M.Ed...whatever).
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