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What are my chances of getting into a program at WMU with one year professional experience and a sub 3.0 undergrad GPA? I haven't taken the GRE yet, just starting to look into options since I am unhappy with my current job and unable to find a new one.

• I have two BA's from MSU in Criminal Justice and General Social Sciences, ultimate goal would be to obtain a probation officer position or something similar.
• Currently working in the private side with health insurance fraud.
• Thinking about getting a Masters in Social Work or maybe Certification in Alcohol and Drug Abuse
  

I feel like a MA would make me more marketable and make it easier to get hired although I'd be putting myself in a lot of debt and positions in the social/criminal justice fields generally don't pay as well. I've probably applied to 100 positions at least in the past 4 months, I received one call back but they were only conducting interviews on one day and I was 2000 miles away on a business trip so I couldn't make it. I'm just really frustrated and sick of the travel/long hours. (18 different hotels in the last 31 days) Would it be worth it? WILL I EVEN GET IN?!

My friend just graduated here at WMU with a Masters in Social Work (did her undergrad at CMU ). I could ask her about that program if you'd like.

There are a lot of review sites and rankings out there, hit it and weigh this out. Picking a grad school is incredibly personal, more so than undergrad IMO.

(05-04-2014 09:45 AM)Nacho Wrote:  What are my chances of getting into a program at WMU with one year professional experience and a sub 3.0 undergrad GPA? I haven't taken the GRE yet, just starting to look into options since I am unhappy with my current job and unable to find a new one.

• I have two BA's from MSU in Criminal Justice and General Social Sciences, ultimate goal would be to obtain a probation officer position or something similar.
• Currently working in the private side with health insurance fraud.
• Thinking about getting a Masters in Social Work or maybe Certification in Alcohol and Drug Abuse
  

I feel like a MA would make me more marketable and make it easier to get hired although I'd be putting myself in a lot of debt and positions in the social/criminal justice fields generally don't pay as well. I've probably applied to 100 positions at least in the past 4 months, I received one call back but they were only conducting interviews on one day and I was 2000 miles away on a business trip so I couldn't make it. I'm just really frustrated and sick of the travel/long hours. (18 different hotels in the last 31 days) Would it be worth it? WILL I EVEN GET IN?!

Welcome to the real world, kiddo. I think you answered your own question. Also, news flash, your first job out of college usually sucks. Sincerely, working nights and weekends for peanuts.

A serious question you need to ask yourself now is: What is your current debt load and what will it be if you do pursue a master's?

(05-04-2014 09:45 AM)Nacho Wrote:  What are my chances of getting into a program at WMU with one year professional experience and a sub 3.0 undergrad GPA? I haven't taken the GRE yet, just starting to look into options since I am unhappy with my current job and unable to find a new one.

• I have two BA's from MSU in Criminal Justice and General Social Sciences, ultimate goal would be to obtain a probation officer position or something similar.
• Currently working in the private side with health insurance fraud.
• Thinking about getting a Masters in Social Work or maybe Certification in Alcohol and Drug Abuse
  

I feel like a MA would make me more marketable and make it easier to get hired although I'd be putting myself in a lot of debt and positions in the social/criminal justice fields generally don't pay as well. I've probably applied to 100 positions at least in the past 4 months, I received one call back but they were only conducting interviews on one day and I was 2000 miles away on a business trip so I couldn't make it. I'm just really frustrated and sick of the travel/long hours. (18 different hotels in the last 31 days) Would it be worth it? WILL I EVEN GET IN?!

Here is the US News grad social work rankings. You will hate number 1.
US News rankings

There are several ways to go with social work.

My advice is do it now. The longer you wait, the harder it is to not only go back but find time. I started mine 6 months after my undergrad and it was the best decision I ever made. Looking back 10 years later, it would be very difficult to find time now if I had waited.

Thanks for the input guys, I think I'm going to throw in my application for the next available semester and see what happens. I know you all would love it if I became a true Bronco!

For some reason this reminds me of the Groucho Marx quote, "I would never join a club that would have me as a member."

Going to graduate school isn't to be all or the end all. Graduate school is a means to an end. The real issue for you is what are your dreams, your goals, and aspirations?