Ok. What about about programs at least in the top 50 or the top 100? I guess part of my ambition is also hoping to prove myself and other people wrong that I make it. I’m my own worse critic, ever since left college.
I think you have a shot at schools in that range, but it is never a sure thing either way. Your best bet would be to find a number of schools in that range and apply. See what happens. Just don’t waste time and money going after schools you would not be happy attending.
You said that you wanted to go to grad school for English education, yes? I’m curious - what, pray tell, you plan to do with it? I think that being an English teacher is a wonderful career that can lead to robust rewards, but it’s not exactly high-prestige or considered a “big city ambitious” kind of career.
However, the upside to that is that you don’t have to go to a prestigious school to become an English teacher, nor do you even have to go to a top 100 ranked school. You can go to your local public university and pay in-state tuition to earn that master’s, and live at home while you do it to save money if you can.
Don’t gamble big money to “prove” something to other people. The only person who has to live with the debt is you, so there’s no need to do that. Your goal in getting a graduate degree is getting the degree necessary to do a job you want to do.
Your information is incoherent and contradictory. Specifically, in post #32 you say you are not interested in teaching ESL, and in post #38 it looks like you “are still interested” in teaching ESL. In post #27 you say that you would like to be a high school or college instructor; in post #37 you say you would teach high school for the experience, but really want to teach college. You have a degree (BA) in Mass Communications, but are not using your degree currently.
Where do you live (what state)?
Can you commute to a university?
Do you have excess energy? Can you work 20 hours a week + go to school?
Here is an excerpt from the reference I linked to you. It says you can get $4,000 per year (presumably for 2 years) to complete a program and teach in a school. Here are the conditions:
You can do what you want to do! You need to sacrifice a bit to make it happen, though.
I meant to type still not interested in ESL. I was considering high school experience for getting work college level teaching. And haven’t been able to use my degree for the degree I was looking for. Most Mass Comm jobs right are in sales, advertising, producing, and marketing but I’m not that extroverted. I was hoping for tech or writing jobs. English/history/theatre/film is something I think I would be good at, just not sure. People have advised Vocational School, but don’t any ambition the job fields provide at Vocational Schools (sonographer, secretary, mechanic, plumber, repairman, carpenter). I live in Missouri, and I’m would prefer to not go my old university, its bit of a cheaper lower ranked/quality university and had some bad experiences.
It seems like you really are floundering and don’t know what you want to do. Does your college have a career services office or some other office that assists students in figuring out what they want to do after graduation or helping them find employment? It might be helpful to talk to a professional and/ or take some aptitude tests. Have you ever done an internship in marketing or other areas you say that folks with your major get jobs? It would give you an idea of what you like or don’t like. You seem to be all over the place–above you mention theater, film, English as something you’d be “good at”. Maybe you would, but right now you need to develop a plan for going forward after graduation. Maybe that means not going to grad school but taking time to explore your options and get advice from folks with expertise in this area.
Just weighing my options. Unfortunately not many internships availible for postgrads or non-students.
Mentioned earlier that I’m not really looking for a career in marketing, don’t have the personality to enjoy doing it. Graduated four years ago and already taken apititude tests.
No, I had a few jobs in sales and retail, and it’s not a field I want to work in. I avoid direct sales like the plague anymore.
What if the area I live at is not where I want to teach?
Many states have what’s called reciprocity. For example, if TN has reciprocity with GA, someone who gets certified to teach in TN can easily get certified in GA by filling out some paperwork. Some states will make you take a test or two to get permanently certified there if you have an out of state license.
You can learn a little more about it here:
http://teach.com/where/teaching-in-america/teacher-certification-reciprocity
I haven’t read the entire thread, so sorry if it has already been suggested.
But try to get a job at a university that offers tuition benefits. Ideally it would be research position but really any kind of job that offers the benefit would do. Also look into RA type jobs for food and housing.
It is also possible to fund it all with loans, far from ideal, but if it leads to a high income position it might be worth it.
Have you considered Teach for America?
Ok. Thank you.