Set0514

Attention: Sharing about the PSU's Admission Weekend I was back from PSU's admitted day last week. They don't have travel reimbursement. Their current students are kind hearted but their funding is tooooooo tight. I have talked with several professor and emailed program coordinator for funding before my visit- I did this politely, patiently, and sincerely-but the response was cold and disappointed. I asked several other admitted students and they were treated the same way..and no funding for sure. There is 99.99% percent possibility that I will have to fund myself the first year. I totally understand this is common for PhD in Education. What makes me very uncomfortable that they even didn't act supportively to prospective students. I will definitely not go to PSU. Yes my personal preference is a supportive place.

Hi thanks a lot for the detailed suggestion! I didn't have time to say thanks before meeting my poi last week but I referred to some of your strategies for sure.

Thanks!

I haven't receive any funding yet, while the poi indicated in the email that they might have funds for students who visited their campus.

Hey would you mind telling the approximate amount of the non-working fellowship, can it cover the tuition and living expense in NC?Thanks!

I am going to visit my program coordinator for possible funding opportunities. Do anyone have some suggestion on the conversation art with the coordinator? I mean, is it polite to talk directly about the funding, my ideal number of funds, etc? PS I am accepted in a doctoral program 2015 fall. Thanks in advance!

I was admitted to TEC and my acceptance letter is also without mentioning the specific program. I knew this because My poi contacted me beforehand. I don't know whether we are in the same apartment but it happens that the letter comes with no assigned prof.

Some friend attending student week last year said that the funding was tight for most departments except one in edu school of UNC. Has anyone visited UNC this year for the 2015 enrollment and would mind sharing your experience on the campus visit?

Thanks @TeacherNC, but I think things would be more difficult as a non-US citizen...

thanks for the insight! l am bothering enough with exploring funds resoures. Could you specify some examples of jobs the phds have in UNC? as an international student many job opportunitiess are actually limited to me.

l meant the way unc answered about funding is disappointing，sorry about the confusion

thanks! Yes this is not a pleasing answer. but I was wondering whether PSU are more generous though..

Common: Have received official admissions from both doctoral programs. Funding decisions unknown yet(many told me first year funding not guaranteed) Both in picturesque view and rural areas Both interests me for their international ed tracks Strong POIs Close ranking in Best Ed Schools(#33 vs #36) Similar costs but UNC more affordable Unique： PSU have a larger alumni network(enrollment 1061) much higher ranking in US news(#3 higher ed, #7 ed administration, #9 ed policy) POI haven't contact me ever UNC is a smaller program(enrollment 432) higher faculty student ratio FPG center all tracks rank out of top 10 POI informal phone interview before admission I have multiple experiences in early childhood education(ECE) while the two programs are both strong in ECE, but that is not my favorite. I would like to combine my former study in ECE with higher education track,where the PSU seems better in their higher ed. I was accepted in education policy in PSU(first priority) and in Teacher education and Curriculum(TEC)(second priority but no idea about it). However, poi in UNC seemed more welcome to me and advised to design a combined curriculum for me(TEC and ed pol). I prefer UNC but worried about its low rankings(yes I know there is much water here), is that to some extend implying PSU is a stronger program overall? If they offered with similar funding, it would be a really hard choice for me. Sincerely hope your advice on any aspect...program quality, "emotional ease", funding, CHOICE.... Also welcome future applicants to discuss about the application process if it helps. Thx in advance!!!

I appreciate your insights on UNC CH! I was admitted officially yesterday by the TEC program. Are you also going for the TEC ? Hi I hope my background helps. I hold a bachelor degree outside US. And an expected master degree this May in the US. My SOP and previous internships mostly focus on primary education, especially early childhood education(internationally). My former supervisor recommended me the FPG center affiliated within UNC CH so I started to keep an eye on its educational programs. No work experience but many months-long or year-long experiences in education governmental agencies and RA positions. I believe I had a quite strong SOP and writing sample, GPAs, GRE V/Q but low GRE AW score.

Hi, thanks for your advice. Are you admitted in a doctoral or master program? I have hardly heard of any admissions of phds but many master acceptances those days, it is a little weird. Don't Phd decisions come first...

Also international student and phd in ed pol! I know the hope is quite tiny but hope good luck for both of us

Anyone knows about the overall strengths and weaknesses of doctoral programs in the School of Education in UNC chapel hill? I had some good communications with my POI,but I've not receive the official decision(whether accept or reject) yet. All I know about UNC is its absolute low living expense... anyway Thanks a lot!!

I am also applying for ed policy but doctoral program. No info for now...someone in this thread said by this week there will be news(but it seems to be another track). anyway best luck of us. Any friend heard from the ed policy program in Penn GSE?

I like the " go with your gut" thing! This week I got the official admission letter from PSU rather than the informal one weeks ago. Exciting. In the letter they say the funding decision will be made in the coming weeks. PSU is awesome but they indicate not all individuals enrolled in get fully funded. Would it be helpful to email the program coordinator to request funding opportunities? Thanks for sharing!

I learned something from your insights! At least from your post I would agree that TC's master-level courses are not competitive enough. Since I am applying for a doctorate degree, How about the PhD's academic life in TC, like in international ed or higher ed track? Someone told me the higher ed in Penn state U is quite strong, and I have already got an offer from PSU, how would you compare TC with PSU?

thanks for sharing. !!the doctorate program is not as sensitive to places as master's. but l am still concerning about the potential opportunities in a place far from any big city even as a phd. does that matter much?

surprised to see Penn and stanford have 9 or 10pages, but only a couple of replies for TC. TC might be controversial. anyway a quite strong program in my mind. anyone hear back from phd programs of TC? l am also waiting other schools' decision. l am trying to ask when is the average decision time- mid FEB? ls now is too late?

Hello everyone, it is my first time starting a new topic here. Feel excited! I got an admission from PSU Edu Theory and Policy program without visit day and funding info yet. No threads(at least recently) about PSU are posted here. I am surprised that As far as I know they have a great reputation in higher ed, ed administration and ed policy. Welcome friends who applied to PSU to share thoughts here. It is kind of obvious that it is not as popular as the ivy programs. But how do you compare PSU with programs in SUNY Albany, UNC chapel hill, etc? Generally, how about the research environment, faculty quality and funding opportunities in PSU? I am still waiting for decisions from several other programs( most of them are more challenging). Best wishes for everyone in these DECISION MONTHS!

Thanks for the sharing!!! I was accepted to a doctorate program in 2015 fall. Would you suggest to apply to the GA now (if this is related to your experience)? I was wondering about the timelines for applying GA, TA or other assisstanships?

Big congrats to everyone admitted and best wishes for everyone who is waiting!!!! Any friend got an interview could share your experience about the interview? Is it kind of general or narrowed down to research interests. Thanks a lot.