How did you explore graduate
schools?
What influenced your decision to
go to graduate school?
Do you have any tips related to
the application process?
I only had a BA in English, and I did not have a teaching certification.
I spent a year teaching at Greater Works Academy in Monroeville, but I
realized that if I wanted a career in teaching, I needed to be
certified. IUP has an Master of Arts in Teaching English degree that
allowed me to earn a Master’s and receive certification.
I decided to go to graduate school pretty late in the year (February),
and I had missed a lot of the other application deadlines. IUP had a
rolling admissions process, and it was close to my hometown of Altoona.
At that time, I didn’t have a girlfriend, so I went where it was cheap
and close to home.
I would suggest finding a school that will stretch your worldview. I
went to a public high school, and then I came to Grove City which were
pretty different. I then went to IUP for graduate school, so I went to
another extreme. It is really interesting how different the approaches
to education are from one school to another, and I think my experiences
at Grove City and at IUP have really helped me develop a broad worldview
in which I can think critically about a topic and extract the truth. I
also really appreciated the Christian environment at Grove City which
really helped shape my faith. When I went to IUP, I was prepared to live
a life seeking after Christ even though I was in a more secular
environment.
More information about Derek's
experience with Oliver High school and employment-related tips
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