NoChance

Thanks for the responses! I think I won't reach out them since it doesn't seem that it will really do too much for me. I just didn't want to hurt my chances by not being in contact with a prof. If it's not expected or helpful, then I guess I can skip it.

I can't seem to find any kind of consistency poking around. I'm thinking of reaching out to someone at HGSE because his research focus is very, very in line with what I want to do. I'm not sure what to say other than his research is my target area and a quote from a paper of his that happens to describe in a nutshell exactly what I'm most interested in. But I'm not sure if all of that would be inappropriate or if I'd come across as strange. Likely, I assume, the profs just ignore queries from masters level applicants. What's the consensus?

Hey Rob! Thanks for offering up your services! I find the Ed LD pretty interesting, but ultimately my heart resides in international education, so for the time being I'll aim for the masters and then down the road hopefully I'll find myself pursuing further degrees. Some very general, related questions: How would you define the education "atmosphere" within HGSE? Are the cohorts very segmented or do they overlap fluidly? Do the profs seem accessible, even to masters students? You general "how is it on the other side?" type questions.

I'm planning on applying this year, too! Relieving to see others feeling the pressure as well. I'm looking at IEP with a branch over to the TIE program. Aiming to increase international access to edtech advances. I work at an EdTech company now in SF and have taught English in Asia and South America, with that and good GPA/GRE, I'm hoping that will put me over the edge! Talk about nerve racking. Having trouble getting over the awesomeness of the course offerings to even seriously put other schools on my list. Hope you guys will all be around in the spring when we're getting sick over decisions (and then crying tears of joy, of course!).

Hey all! I'm on the hunt for a blend of Education Technology and International Education programs. I know that Harvard and Stanford offer both of these concentrations and allow for some level of overlap, but I can't seem to find too much else. Looking at Harvard's curriculum, it's pretty amazing and exactly what I'd want out of a program. Stanford's is pretty great, too, and is no program to balk at. Unfortunately that seems to be the end of the line. Both of these schools excel at tech innovation/entrepreneurship so it's only logical that these programs would be awesome. I really would like there to be more out there. I noticed Penn is pretty flexible and might have the resources I'd need/want, so that might be worth more research. I can't bear the thought of only applying to Stanford and Harvard. That's pretty scary. Maybe you guys can make me feel a bit more comfortable: BS Economics - Minors in Global Studies and French - mediocre state school 3.98 GPA Undergrad work exchange in study abroad office Final Paper published in Journal for Economic Educators (regression analysis) Study abroad in France (French Business) Intern at US Dept of State (member of a diplomatic mission) Taught English in Korea and Paraguay Marketing/Tutor at an ed tech start up in the Bay Area (test prep...) Likely around 330 on GRE I think my background is pretty much perfect for Harvard's IEP, since they seem emphasize economics/analysis so much, but... it's Harvard. I feel really uncomfortable putting all of my eggs in that basket. But that basket is so awesome. I know that's a lot. Thoughts? Anyone else out there anywhere near in the same boat?

I know this topic has been posted before, but I just can't seem to find it... So I'm concluding my college career, and still uncertain of what exactly I want to do in grad school. Or rather, I know what I want to do but I'm having difficulty pinpointing exactly what/where, if you understand what I mean. I want to work with developing countries (in the US and abroad) on urban issues, particularly transportation and education. Basically, I'm looking at doing to urban planning with an international focus. But I'm afraid it's not internationally focused enough. I'm thinking something like International Development with an urban focus, but I haven't had much luck in finding that, and I'm not quite sure what job prospects I might have after graduating. I feel like a MUP w/ an international concentration would give me more options overall. I know some of the top urban planning schools offer international concentrations, and I would love to attend those programs (and may even be able to get in), but any type of job I get (city gov't, NGO, USAID, Peace Corps) wouldn't be very conducive to a large debt repayment. Any ideas on some programs that might be a good fit? FWIW, I'm getting a BS in Econ and BA in Global Studies, and I might consider getting a PhD later on down the road (I'd definitely consider a PhD program that's a good fit now, too) I'm willing to go anywhere, and I can offer my stats later if necessary. I'm taking a year off to teach English in Korea, but I plan on applying for schools this fall for fall 2010. Thanks for helping me out.