Shlee467

Right, because PhDs have to do a lot of data analysis and quant, etc. EdLD is about leadership which is not synonymous with high test scores. (Actually, probably the opposite). When I was looking at PhD programs, I knew my scores weren't high enough, but they seem just fine for EdLD. And I don't want to do research down the road.

Don't look at it like that. They build a cohort so it's more about who they think will fit well together than any individual's credentials specifically. It's a very cohort-heavy program so it matters to them that they have people from diverse backgrounds, etc. I think your SOP is what counts the most, along with your Letters of Rec. GPA and GRE only have to show that you can meet the basic minimum requirements. (I mean, HGSE is a LOT of reading, so they probably want to know you can handle the workload). That is so interesting! I assumed no interview meant 100% not in. I know they interview 50 for EdLD, they accept 25. So the basic assumption is that if you get an interview, you've made it to 50-50 odds. Which is STILL harsh, but the program's acceptance rate is like 5% overall. (About 500 applicants for 25 spots). Trying now not to think about it and live my life like I didn't even apply so that I'm not planning around it at the moment. Living at HGSE is hella expensive. You can live in Harvard University Housing (which I did because it was worth it to me to live close to campus.) I had a great apartment and two roommates (A major change since I'd lived alone the previous 5 years). If I get into the EdLD program, the stipend will not cover living alone anywhere near campus and I don't think I want to do the roommate thing again (one roommate was amazing and is one of my best friends now, the other... not so much. I'm too old for those kind of risks!). You don't have to live near campus though. i know tons of people who had very affordable apartments in Somerville and Allston, etc. There are options. But anyway, even with two roommates, the cost of one year at HGSE was about $65k (So EdLD funding = most of that).

For what it's worth, I know someone who had an EGREGIOUS typo on their resume and they were accepted to a Harvard PhD program. I'm talking, like really really ridiculously awful oversight. So I think they'll be understanding about hitting the wrong letter one key apart

I'm also applying to EdLD. We can wait it out together! I just got an email that my application is complete, which means they looked at it. I don't think your GRE scores matter for EdLD. They are much more interested in your potential as a system leader based on your past experience and future ambitions.

They do not. Well maybe some programs do. EPM did not.

I had very minimal ed policy experience before applying. I was a teacher and had taught in both urban and suburban settings, and had always maintained a personal interest in policy. I read a lot of books and articles and things, but aside from starting an anti-NCLB group in undergrad (when NCLB was new... too bad it took the feds another decade to pay attention...), my work was very much in the classroom. I used the program to get into the policy world because of the disparities I saw between my experiences at well-resourced vs. under-resourced schools and wanted to become involved at a higher level, which is how I framed my reason for applying in my SOP.

Yes, those were my scores that got me into the Ed Policy program two years ago. The only thing I have different now is a year and a half of work experience in policy for an ed research org. So I'm the same as you in that if I don't get in, I will stay at my current job, at least for a while. Truthfully, since the EdLD program is a three year program, there is probably about an equal chance that I'll be in the same place three years from now either way. Either I'll have moved up through a doctoral program, or moved into a stronger position through work anyway. The doctorate just seems like a more direct path. It's a good place to be in for sure, but I just really think the program would give me an edge that moving up through the ranks the old fashioned way will not. Plus, just the expansion of the network itself is so huge. I used to do the same thing - admit I was applying to graduate school, but not that I was taking myself seriously by applying to Harvard, just acted like I more just "threw it out there" even though it actually consumed my every waking moment for months haha (I was secretly studying for the GRE in all of my meetings). Then it actually became real and I got to tell people I was going and it was the best thing ever. Truth - my parents told me to frame my rejection letter when I told them I was applying. My dad was like "I think it's so awesome you're putting it out there and that you're reaching for the stars. Just don't be super upset about it when you don't get in. It's a cool thing that you applied. You should frame your rejection letter." I framed my acceptance letter three months later and gave it to him for Father's Day.

Submitted my application on Sunday! So weird not having things to look over anymore. It was taking up so much of my head space for months and now that it's gone there is a weird void. Just time to play the waiting game now. I'm nervous because I really really want to get into this program and think it's truly the right fit for me, but I also am trying to keep a level head understanding that I'm sure everyone who applies is very highly qualified. It's just not the kind of thing you apply for if you're not qualified. So I mean I know my scores and background and all that are a good fit, and I have great letters of rec, but it's more about them deciding if I'm the right fit for the cohort they are building, and whether they see my aspirations as being right for it. Plus, I want to talk about it at work all of the time, but then have to remind myself that I didn't tell anyone at work that I might be leaving except the woman who wrote a letter for me... #struggle

It was about 80 two years ago when I was there. It's the biggest by far. Most of the programs are 30-40. Anyone else applying to EdLD? I'm ready to submit but I am not sure if the short essay needs to have citations or if it's OK to skip since it's only a 500 word essay. Eek. Such a nerd question, I know. I'm so nervous. Plus, my recommenders haven't submitted yet which makes me nervous. Application deadline is December 14.

Congrats!! That's definitely huge. I'm pretty sure that score does matter a lot at HGSE based on what i know to be many of my former classmates' scores on that section. So you're one step closer!!!

Wish I could! I'm in the process of drafting my personal statement, the last and most important thing I still have to do for the app. Eeeks.

I think if you can explain it and otherwise prove your capabilities you should be OK. I would definitely explain it a bit in your personal statement - HGSE programs do entail a LOT of reading and writing, so there probably is a general expectation that admitted students be able to handle such loads and prior GPA is one way they can tell this. If your previous masters was in something completely unrelated though, I think you have solid ground to stand on. Good luck!!

Just remember that the GRE is only a small fraction of the whole picture. It's more about your experience and how you plan to connect it to your future goals, and how HGSE will help you get to the next step. They don't just want GRE-acers - they want dedicated people with proven experience and some variation of a plan for future success. So the GRE only proves your basic competence as opposed to your undergrad GPA, statement of purpose, resume, and letters of rec, which tell a lot more about your potential to succeed.

The program I am applying to is actually an EdLd, a Doctor of Education Leadership specifically. It's more comparable to an EdD, but Harvard used to have a separate EdD and EdLD. As of last year, they changed the EdD to a PhD. The EdLD program is through HGSE but the cohort includes courses from the Business and Government schools so it's a really great opportunity for those who want to be in leadership roles as opposed to strict academia, which is definitely more my style. I had been considering PhDs from the Kennedy School of Government, but realized I don't really want to be in straight research. I want to be more on the ground working with schools and organizations focused on taking the research and applying it. Plus, the fact that it's 3 years instead of 4 or 5 is a huge bonus. My masters was a 1 year instead of 2, which was great because I now have that year of work experience I wouldn't have had yet had I gone for one of the two-year programs, which were far more common in Ed Policy.

Well, practice tests can vary so I would take several and just keep studying and reviewing up until the actual test. I called my mom crying after my first GRE practice test. I don't remember the score now, but it was really bad. Then the next one I took a few days later I scored way higher than my actual GRE and was unrealistically excited. So I think just getting the practice in helps, and I wouldn't worry tooooo much about the scores on the practice tests. If you can end up just getting your Quant up a couple of points from the 148, you'll be fine with that. EPM cares more about your verbal, and especially your AWA. Aside from that, your experience and letters of rec count way more anyway and will definitely offset the GRE score. Once I was there I talked to a few profs who were on the admissions team who said basically, when it comes to the GRE, they want to know you are basically competent in math and that you're a strong writer, but your past experience and connection to your future goals is what they really care about. Also to be aware of - I don't know that HGSE does this, but an admissions professor at the Kennedy school told me they Google EVERY applicant they are seriously considering so make sure you don't have anything really derogatory publicly available on your social media or anything. That same professor Googled everyone in our class and would randomly pull fun facts about us out. (All positive accolades he found, but still).

My masters is actually in Ed Policy. I am only applying to Harvard's EdLd program because there really aren't other programs like it of its caliber. It's a doctorate of practice rather than research, which is definitely more my angle. Even in my masters program my focus was really on bringing ideas from research into policy and practice - and that's what I'm doing in my career now. But I want to start applying for greater leadership roles and don't have the resume yet. Obviously, if I don't get accepted to the EdLd program (and it has a 5% or less acceptance rate so I'm trying to keep my sights realistic here), I can move up in my career with just the masters. I just think the EdLd would open up a lot of really great opportunities and give me that extra edge. It's a two-year cohort plus a one-year residency and I currently work with someone who did their residency here and now stayed on full time in a leadership role. So what is your goal with the PhD in ed policy? Work in a research institute or stay in academia? Those are all really great schools you are applying to as well.

I, too, am heading down this path. I completed an MEd in 2014 (Havard Graduate School of Education), and have spent the last year working in a research institute in policy and national engagement. Wanting to advance my qualifications but thinking I am more suited toward a doctorate of practice rather than research, I am apply to Harvard's EdLd program for next fall. Totally agree with you on the letters of rec and the personal statement. I loved my personal statement for my masters program, but obviously can't use the same basic idea even given that I'm applying to the same school. As far as letters of rec - always the hardest part to me because I hate having to ask anyone to go out of their way on my behalf.

Thanks TheMonkeyOnMyBack - There is one for HGSE in general, but I haven't seen one for the EdLd program specifically (maybe I missed it?). Would love to sweat it out with some others in my boat! Which PhD programs are you applying to?

Hello all! Thanks for getting this started, Aina7. I, like Gvh, completed an HGSE masters program (Education Policy and Management, 2014), and am going to be applying this year for the EdLd program. Happy to answer any questions about the masters program! I was definitely one of the constant posters on here during that application season, though under a different name. For reference, here are my stats (same as going into the masters program for the most part): Applying for: EdLd Program: Doctorate of Education LeadershipGRE Score: V 160, Q 153, AWA: 6.0 Undergrad GPA: 3.9 major, 3.7 overallWork Experience: 6 years - high school English teacher (urban and suburban schools), 6 years - office manager for IT firm (part-time overlapping with teaching years), 1 year project manager in policy and strategic communications for top education research organization (job since HGSE round 1 ) Volunteer Experience: Emerging Leaders Board Committee Chair for tutoring committee for foster care organization; event curator for TEDx event Undergrad Institution (Public, Private, Ivy, etc..): Miami University of Ohio (Public) Research Experience: Undergrad: Research project on public school funding inequity; Graduate: Research project exploring teacher satisfaction levels between urban and suburban schools - seeking ways to improve urban teacher retention (My research experience is limited, and I am more interested in moving into leadership roles in policy, or nonprofits, etc, hence the EdLd rather than the PhD. What Other Schools Are You Applying To: None. This is really the only program like it. All my eggs are in one basket... To get to individual questions: Aina7, I would say you definitely stand a shot but really try to improve your verbal and AWA GRE scores when you re-take in November. Those are what they care about most. The average GRE scores for HGSE masters programs are Q: 153 V: 159 V: 4.6. But your experience is what matters most. dkh2121: HGSE doesn't have a specific number of students they accept. The cohort can be larger or smaller based on the applicants any given year so it's really just a matter or whether or not they think you are a good fit. I think the masters program actually has a higher percentage than dvh's estimate of 10-20% because those numbers are averaged in with the Phd and EdLd programs, which have between 4-5% accepting rates. (eeeekk).

Hello all. Couldn't find any topics for applicants to the Fall 2016 cohort for Harvard's EdLd program so I thought I'd get one started! Anyone else applying? I'm still a bit overwhelmed by the personal statement and what to put in it. So many ideas I want to get across! Anyway, I know the program has a minuscule acceptance rate, but not applying gets you a 0% chance. Would love to have some like-minded individuals to discuss the process with on here.