Graduate School Interview

I have worried about this for my child who is in hs regarding bias for undergrads. The professional people: learning consultants and psychologists, have told me that this is really now a big business and revealing the ld can be benificial (even though it should not hurt or help) because they can make extra money by providing additional services (services that hopefully really are necessary and help the student, and for those that use them, I am only hearing positive stories to date). I, have no personal experience on the subject though, since my child is in high school. It is agonizing. Did your GPA pick up in the last 2 years, because that may play a role in your decision? I do have a family member, who went onto grad school and did better in junior and senior years and had probably a C average in the first undergrad years. They did complete grad school and had no problem gaining admission into what was a competitive field of study.

Hi Lyn,
I’m currently in the last year of a doctorate and have recieved accomodations for SLD in writing and in math since kindergarten. None of the grad programs to which I applied interviewed students, so I don’t have direct experience with your dilemma, and don’t, to be honest, know how big a deal disclosure would be. My sense would be that, at the graduate level, it’s not a big issue - they wouldn’t have offered you an interview, if they weren’t interested in your application. Futhermore, I don’t think that schools get too fussed about your grades when you finished your last degree quite a while ago - I assume it’s your GREs or work experience or thesis proposal or something that’s caught their interest. Off the top of my head, it seems that your reply - that you got low marks because of the failure of the school to provide accomodations could be a good, concise answer to a question about your GPA. BUT then you should be prepared to speak quite specifically about what accomodations you feel you do need, why they make a difference and have checked ahead of time to make sure they’re not ones that would be all that contraversial to the department. Extended time on exams, or use of a computer, for example, are, I think, pretty much accepted now, and probably wouldn’t excite anyone too much. I’d be wary of raising more contraversial issues like course substitutions in an interview, knowing that lots of places don’t approve of them and fearing that it could get an interview off-track. I think it might matter, too, whether or not you got not-so-terrific grades in subjects that are related to what you’re applying for grad school in - if you’re trying to get into a program in art history, they might care significantly less about your grades in calculus, but those in more writing intensive classes could be an issue.
That’s my $.02, but do feel free to email me if you want!

Hmm. I didn’t bring up my own GRP of 2.56 at my interview for grad school. But they did and quickly.

I’d structure my answers carefully. Your average in college years ago won’t be the first question they’ll ask so in your first few answers to their questions talk about the last ten years and how well you’ve done in your work. Tell them that success has led you to the strong feeling that you can be successful now in graduate school and that now you see how valuabe it would be to attend grad school. (Did you take GREs?)

The ten years that have passed between college and now are strongly in your favor. I don’t think your average will keep you out.

One can have a low average in college for many reasons. It doesnt’ have to be about LD and you don’t have to mention that you have one if you’re inclined not to.

Sarah,
Thank you for taking the time to respond to me.

What kinds of questions did they ask you? Did you tell them you have an LD?
What are you going to school for?

I hope you don’t mind all the quetions, I am doing me best to be as informed as possible about this interview.

You can reply to my personal e-mail if you wish.

Tara Lynn,
[email protected]

I wasn’t aware of my LD at the time. It was a few years later when I figured out what made organization so hard for me.

I went to school to pursue graduate study in history and museum education.

Past that, they asked the basic questions. The only rub was my undergraduate average but they seemed content with my explanation that I had ‘goofed off’ in college and was now ready to work.

Good luck with your plans!

Can you talk to someone already in the program? Often you can find a student working in the administrative offices who will give you the inside scoop. I know of some schools that accept nothing less than a 3.0 GPA and don’t care that it’s lower because you started out pre-med and found out it wasn’t your thing, then aced the rest of your degree— or whatever. Others are much more interested in what you have to offer as a research slave, your work background, test scores, etc.

Lyn
Definitely tell them about the LD. I have known lots of students who have been accepted at graduate schools and who disclosed their LD. I have worked with medical students, law students, psychology graduate students, etc.
In my private practice I specialize in working with students with LD and AD/HD.Writing a clear personal statement is important.
Good luck
Renee

Hi!

I wouldn’t disclose your LD as a disability. Or even mention it unless they really prod at why the grade was so low. I am currently trying to get a job and was told by a dear friend/mentor that I should not disclose my LDness. I’m looking for a job helping LD children, however I have no real experience. I was told by my “mentor” that when asked about experience I should say no but that I am LD and here are the strategies I use. In your position I would do the same say something to the effect of yes those marks are low here is why, and here is how I’ve improved and my strategies for doing so.

Good for you for applying to Grad. School!! I don’t think I have the mindset to do that. Coming up with a thesis for a small paper is hard enough, let alone a master’s!

Erin