I got an answer back from grad school today. Via Email. Not quite the answer I had hoped for, but not entirely rejecting me…yet.
You see, I effed up in college. My freshman year I did not adjust well, I was not prepared and my GPA showed it. While I did better the proceeding four years, I didn’t do…well enough.
So my gpa wasn’t quite at the “minimum required GPA…” Granted I was mere hundredths (.06 to be exactly) away, I worry that it’ll hold me back and I’ll never reach my dream.
I want. To teach.
The history courses – three to be exact – that I need to take (12 credits, 3 courses?) I was aware of. But I still don’t understand if those will make up for the lackluster GPA.
So now I’m fearing the worst. I dump money into taking the history courses, doesn’t fix the GPA problem and wham bam thank you ma’am the state of CT says I won’t ever teach in their state. All doors closed, do not pass go, do not collect $200.
If I had decided this you know…six years ago, I could have left college with an Masters in Teaching, certification and my B.S. still in poli sci. Unfortunately, because of that lackluster GPA coming out of the gates at the end of freshman year? I decided I wouldn’t pursue my dreams of teaching and would instead throw myself into the political realm.
That didn’t quite work out the way I had hoped despite my hard work.
This brings me back to my dreams of teaching. The dreams that stayed dormant in my mind over the past five – seven years.
Still though, it’s been a rough afternoon since I got that email. Hubs doesn’t quite know what to do with the blubbery mess I’ve become.
I wasn’t all high-hopes knowing that this was a sure thing. I knew I didn’t have the history courses but I wasn’t prepared with a plan B.
Plan B.
I need one.
If I can’t be a teacher (and seriously, I am not done fighting for this. I will take those classes. I will get in.) I have to think about other options…because well…being stay at home 50’s wife just ain’t working for me so well.
My top choices?
Freelancer/Writer Extraordinaire – I’ve tried it before but wedding madness got in the way. I lost track of it. I could begin pursuing it again on a part time basis at the very least.
Wedding Planner – I did a pretty bad ass job planning my own wedding. I did a lot of stuff DIY. I’d do it all again for a fee 
Physical Therapist – Even more schooling. I probably wouldn’t get in. Moot. But I do enjoy running, and all things health related. Note to self: start taking better care of self.
Alumni/Admissions Rep Officer – I’d do it for pretty much any school but would especially love to do it for my alma mater.
Social Media Guru – I know facebook. NU was an original school on it. I’ve been on it since April 2004. This? Does not make me as bad ass I like to think but still, I tweet. I tumbl. and I facebook.
What would you be if you could have your dream job?
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I imagine you know this already but admissions reps don’t get paid (unless you meant admissions officer, in which case, forget this, obvi). I do it for Tufts as do many others who graduated with me. On the one hand, you don’t get paid (boo), but on the other, you can totally do it no matter what you do the rest of the time. So yay for that! I would definitely contact NU to see how you can get involved.
Were you aware that you do not a teaching certificate to teach at a private school? With a background in poli sci, it is possible that a private school would take you on. Just a thought.
hang in there girl! you’ll get this all straightened out and you’ll be teaching before you know it. doesn’t CT have a teach certification program that doesn’t require a masters? here in jersey if you have a BA, you can go take a class for a few weeks to get your certification, no further college required.
I’m sorry to hear about grad school!
I went to undergrad in NY, but always knew I’d go back to CT to teach. When I tried to get certified, I was informed by the State of CT that I needed a U.S. history course. By the time I found this out, it was too late to enroll one in undergrad, so I freaked out! I wound up taking a CLEP exam, which if you pass it, gives you 3 credits in the subject matter you took the test in. I studied my butt off and used all the prep books and I passed it, but barely! Is there any way you could take that exam instead of a class or do you need the grade to help your GPA? It’s cheaper and less time consuming in the long run to take the exam! I took it at West Conn. Let me know if you have any questions! Getting certified in CT is a pain in the butt!
I’m certified to teach in 2 states (both in the South so things may be slightly different than in the North) and I didn’t graduate from undergrad or graduate school with plans to teach. Here’s what I would encourage you to do if you really want to teach (you don’t have to have a masters to teach, btw): call up a local university’s college of education, ask them to review your transcripts and create what’s called a “deficiency plan”. A deficiency plan (sorry if you already know this) is what you lack to get you to certification, not a degree. You would be admitted as a non-degree seeking student and finish up the classes you lack and then student teach. There is more than one way to skin a cat! Don’t give up! I started trying to become a teacher in 2001 and finally got certified in 2008 after lots of setbacks and changing plans and routes. Don’t quit just because one person told you no. If you need more info, email me, I can fill you in on more details.
You know I’d hire you to plan my wedding in a heartbeat. I’m totally serious…your wedding was like a fairy tale. As for grad school, okay, I definitely let out some expletives on reading this post. Eff them. I’m so sorry! If you were here, we’d totally empty a few bottles of wine. Hang in there, love. Sending hugs & so much love!
I think your plan sounds good and I’m sure everything will work out for you!
I just got accepted into the University of Bridgeport for grad school! I start next semester, but I am doing the Stamford campus because it’s sooooo close to my house! You must live pretty close to me if you want to go to UB also! I’ve never read a blog from someone that was actually in my area of the country before lol!
I’m sorry you didn’t get the answer you wanted. You are a fighter, all hope is not lost and you have so many skills to fall back on, maybe you can teach in a different way. For the history classes, can you take them at a community college to help reduce cost? Would they transfer to UConn? Maybe you could try massage therapy school and work with athletes that way? Sports teams pay BIG BUCKS to the therapists they keep on staff. Maybe you could work as a PT assistant to see if you want to continue down that path?
If I could have any job I wanted I would be a nurse and somehow combine it with my LMT and Reiki master skills. Many hospitals look for nurses for the NICU that are Reiki masters to help the babies who can’t be touched. I should know in 3 weeks or so if nursing school accepts me. After not being chosen so many times, I’m cautiously hopeful.
I have faith that the perfect job/entrance/whatever gets you in is out there for you. You would make an EXCELLENT teacher no matter what you teach.
If my lame boyfriend ever decides to propose, you can totally plan my wedding
Meanwhile, another thought- maybe register to be a substitute teacher? I know it isn’t ideal, but might help for now. It would also give you some experience, which I’m sure would look.
Don’t fret, my pet. It will happen.
xoxo
Have you made an appointment with the admissions counselor of the grad dept you’re interested in? Maybe they can tell you ways that can make you a more qualified candidate?
I’m just suggesting this because I am applying for grad school and the director of admissions made it sound like he’d be willing to meet with people and work with them on the criteria needed to be accepted. It might be good to initiate a relationship with those people…to show them that this is what you really want.
I’m sorry about your frustration, but I know exactly how you feel. There was *a lot* of crying about grad school my senior year in college. But I held firm, worked for a few years and ended up at Harvard. Persistence is omnipotent.
But dude, if I dropped out of school now? I would try to be a seamstress or be a personal shopper or be a grantwriter for a nonprofit or something.
One thing to be excited about it that you realize if you can actually think about alternate careers that would be fun, it means you have hobbies and a rocking personal life. A lot of people I know can’t imagine doing anything else with their lives and I’m totally floored by that.
Good luck, good luck!