RudolftheRed

Thank you for replying in detail! I appreciate your two cents. I do not have professiona experience outside of teaching, and my research experience is limited to my Master's thesis from five years ago. I sought advice on my SOP and took great pains to highlight my interests in this subfield as well as my career goals. I believe that my resume might be where I need to imprpve to bolster my chances of acceptance. Some more academic experience in research and policy was what I suspected might be lacking, compared with applicants who have more quantitative or research-heavy backgrounds. This is why I seriously consider joining UPenn's program where I could potentially learn, work, and build a network among people and organizations that are in this field.

Over the past year, I applied to Ph.D programs in Education Policy. One of the programs that I was highly interested in was UPenn's. I figured that with my application and experience, it might be a stretch. I was rejected from each doctoral program I applied to, but was accepted to the M.S.Ed program in Education Policy at UPenn and was awarded $13,500 in merit-based scholarship and the potential for $10,000 for a Dean's Scholarship. Rejection is a bummer, but this offer creates a new opportunity. I am partially unfamiliar with their Master's program in Ed Policy, and this merit-based scholarship still leaves me on the hook for $29k in tuition. Would going to UPenn be worth it? Is this just a really soft rejection? Can I scholarship and assistantship $29k down to something manageable with loans and extra employment? I'm currently a teacher with five years of experience and a Master's degree in teaching. I'm looking to transition my career to research and policy in my field. My ultimate dilemma is whether this is a worthwhile opportunity to make that change. Or am I better suited performing post-mortem on my applications, staying at my current job, and trying again next year? Like I'm sure you're used to hearing: any advice would be appreciated!

Did anyone attend the preview event this weekend? I was unable to go due to some previous commitments, but I want to hear what it was like!

I've been lurking for a while, and I'm in the same boat: I applied to the PhD program and ended up being offered MSEd for Ed Policy and being given $13,500 in merit. I'm viewing my choice through a different perspective: I have been applying to schools to shift my career in education. I already have an MA and have been teaching for the past five years. Given the price tag at UPenn after deducting $13,500, I'm warily considering attending. I'm not sure what career prospects would come from another Master's, albeit from UPenn. I also applied to UNC's PhD program, and am waiting on a decision from them in the next few weeks before making a final decision.