Veteran Applying to GS with low GPA

southernsole
Wed, 16 Mar 2011 07:27:43 +0000

I was hoping I could get a realistic outlook here and some honest advice.

I’m an African American female. Age 33, served in the Air Force for 8 1/2 years.
I’m currently 2 classes away from a BS in Psychology from Troy University with 2.7 GPA.
I’m most certainly a non traditional and have had some extinuating circumstances that could back up my low GPA (two surgeries, deployments, career as magazine editor working 50-60 hrs/wk) but overall I didn’t initially get a degree in a subject that I was the slightest bit interested in.
The fact of the matter is, I was always told to “just make sure I get out of the military with a degree and that it doen’t take an “A” to get it.” Now after I realize that I really want to go to school for what I’ve always dreamed of doing, I wish I had put more effort into getting better grades. Having spent much of my income on classes for a degree that I personally think is worthless, I have so many regrets. As most veterans can tell you, while on active duty, it’s not really true that you get 100% tuition assistance, you only get up to $4,500. So if you’re attending classes online like most of us, you’re paying far more out of pocket.
I wish I hadn’t spent that money taking alot of classes just to graduate and had just concentrated on getting great grades but you can never predict the future. I only learned of GS while I was deployed 4 months ago. But I thought it would be a great school for e. I read that the average acceptance is 3.7 GPA and I can most certaintly understand that.
I could get into the University of Maryland, (near where I currently live) but going to GS would give me the college experience I always dreamed of, but never thought I could have. I quite simply want to study that which I have always dreamed of doing at a school that will allow me the opportunity to attend with other people who are just like me, not traditional. While I can’t change my lack of ability while taking all online classes, I can say without a doubt that I can handle any thing I set my mind to.
I’ve read all the fourms and most say grades are weighed heavily, but what about the student’s overall desire to learn. Shouldn’t that count for something. I’m not concerned about the Ivy Leavue aspect so much as I’m concerned about the small class size, the school’s reputation for working well with veterans, and the average student age being 29, all while allowing the student to obtain a traditional education.
I’ve spent the last 5 years taking classes from instructors I never got to see or speak to. I just want the opportunity to sit at a desk in a class with a real live instructor.
So based on what I’ve said, do any of you think I have a chance?