sassypenguin
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Posts posted by sassypenguin
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Hey,
While you all are waiting, I was wondering if someone could help clarify the difference between Culture, Institutions, and Society (CIS) and Human Development, Learning and Teaching (HDLT)? I'm seeing some overlap and want to make sure I apply to the right program. I know I could call the admissions office, but I'm scared to call them. (I'm worried that they'll think that someone who is unsure of the difference is too stupid to go ? )
I'm trying to figure out which one would be a better fit for my interests.
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On 3/17/2016 at 10:40 AM, saurabh.khanna said:Dear folksHope you are doing well. Kudos to those who've received their admits! I am a graduate student of Education from India. I understand it's a bit early, but due to my apprehensions, I am posting here to gain some insight and advice regarding grad schools I'd be applying to this year (for Fall 2017). I am aiming for a PhD in the domain of education technology. Your views would be extremely helpful for me.My experience includes software development, research analytics, and teaching in low income schools. Here's an overview of my current profile:Education:
B.E. (Hons.) in Computer Science from BITS Pilani, GPA: 3.36/4 (served as Vice-president of Association of Computing Machinery (ACM))
M.A. in Elementary Education (ongoing) from TISS Mumbai, GPA: 4; Class topper
(Both top tier universities)
Professional Experience (excluding internships): 4 years (till date)1 year as a software developer2 years as a Teach For India Fellow1 year as a Research Assistant at the Centre for Education, Innovation and Action Research (I am currently working on designing secondary school mathematics curriculum and developing learning games, in an edtech project for underprivileged children, undertaken by TISS Mumbai and MIT Boston)2 journal publications; 2 conference proceedings publications; conducted 1 public talk.A few of my queries presently are:- I have currently looked at HGSE, Stanford (LSTD Specialization), Peabody College, and Penn GSE, as possible destinations. Should there be any other good schools I must look at?
- I have understood that doctorate programs at top schools have acceptance rates less than 5%. With my current profile, it would be great if you could comment on whether I even have any realistic shot.
- As a prospective PhD candidate, there might be some loopholes in my profile that I must be missing. It would be great if you could provide me with any feedback, so that I can work on those in the coming months.
I am taking my GRE in May. Looking forward to any feedback from your side. Thanks.
I'm so glad there's also someone here freaking out about applying for the fall. Should we continue on this post or make a new post for 2017?
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Hi!
I’m aware that there are many move-in threads for graduate students along with ‘City Guides to Washington DC’ (found one on reddit). But, I would like to start a topic specifically for prospective graduate students who will be making a move to the DC area from a very long distance. Unlike many college towns, I’ve already seen that most of DC can be horribly expensive for young gradate students on a budget. How do some of you plan to fund your ‘initial move’ to DC? Is anyone attempting to move BEFORE the August? Based on my brief research, I’ve seen Gradcafe users post ideas that have ranged from personal loans, having money saved up, or selling valuable or frivolous items to make spare change in order to fund it.
I’m HOPING to make my initial move around June in order to have time to adjust to the area before the Fall and to perhaps find a ‘late-summer’ internship. I have never lived in a metropolitan atmosphere and will be moving from Louisiana on my own (no kids or spouse/partner). I’m also currently carless and probably won’t have many valuable items to carry due to only being a current college student in a pre-furnished apartment. Aside from that, I probably will have no option but to take out a small ‘personal loan’ (perhaps 1k-2k) for the first major move…with possible financial help from my grandparents lol….
Hi,
The prices are going to vary depending on what you require out of a living situation. Is the cost of rent the most important thing to you or is convenience? Ideal location? commute? amenities?
If your bottom line is simply to find an affordable apartment in the DMV area, I assure you, it can be done. First, I would almost certainly rid yourself of the notion that you're going to live near GW. Plenty of areas in DC are expensive and GWU is especially expensive since it's near a university, the State Department, and is one of the most convenient metro stops for the monuments.
Instead, consider simply living near a place that is walking distance to the metro. (Many people overlook places in Virginia and Maryland because the thought of a location in a different state sounds far away. (This may not be the case.)
Also, get used to the idea that, if you're looking for an affordable place, you're going to have to live with a roommate.
Are you willing to sign year-long lease? I can message you some suggestions on places to look, if your'e interested.
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Schools and programs sometimes request information so that they can bench mark themselves against "peer" schools.
How interesting. I don't really consider these schools on the same bar. I mainly applied out of the convenience of the location.
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I need help deciding between two schools.
Note: the tuition is covered for both programs and I currently have a job in a city that's the main hub for my field.
School A
Pros
- Ivy League school
- Top 5 program for this particular type of policy
- Will allow me to leave my current job on good terms. (I dislike my current job).
- I've seen the undergraduate campus and liked that. (Not sure what my grad building looks like).
- major city
- I like the program
- I already have work experience so the school name can only help (hopefully)
Cons
- No job in this new city
- May have to end up taking out a loan to cover cost of living
o Does this negate the benefit of getting the tuition covered?
- High cost of living
- Would require me to make a 2 day drive to drop off my car at parent's house
o My car is leased, so I can’t just sell it
o Parking in this new city is ridiculous and I wouldn’t be able to afford it.
- My living situation is still unknown.
o I still have to wait to hear back from on-campus housing (cheapest option)
o Because of this, I'm not sure how much furniture to take with me or sell
- I could end up spending a lot of money as rent in this city is ridiculous
- The overall public policy ranking is not great
- Very expensive up-front costs
o cost of moving to new city
o down payment needed for housing
o down payment to hold my spot for school
- Have to find someone to sublet my current apartment
o And get back to this city to oversee
School B
Pros
- I like the focus of the program
- going to school here will allow me to stay at my current job
o This will allow me to continue living in my current apartment
o I save on moving expenses as I can continue to live in my current apartment
o Don’t have to worry about subletting my current apartment
o This will allow me to continue to network with people in the field
Cons
- Is not a "name brand" school
- Will I get a good return of investment?
- Commute to school will be annoying
- No clean exit for my current job
- Although the general public policy program is in the top 15, the specific specialized program that I am applying for (which is in a different department) is not
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Hey,
I recently declined an offer from School A and am in the process of deciding between School B and School C. However, School A, just sent a follow up email asking me which school I will be attending instead of theirs. (School B and C's decision deadline has not yet passed.)
Is it rude to tell them that I am still deciding? Doesn't that indicate that they clearly weren't the top choice? I don't want to mar my relationship with School A in case I move back to this city and see them around (at workshops or conferences.) How do I politely explain my situation?
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The admissions office confirmed that the turnaround time is STILL 6-8 weeks. (Please note that this means you may miss out on on-campus housing.)
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Can you provide more context?
How much more expensive is the first school? (There's a difference between something being $10,000 more expensive and something being $50,000 more expensive.) Does this first school allow for travel?
Also, what sort of mixed reviews have you heard about TC?
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Does anyone know anything about the timeline for schools with late application submission deadlines (ie some time in April)? How long of a wait should one expect before hearing back?
I know that for the regular/typical deadlines, it's usually 6-8 weeks, but since so many people have already made their decisions about schools, do you think it'll be a faster turnaround time?
I submitted my application in April (but still well before Columbia's final deadline) and I just want an idea of when I can expect to hear back from them. I'm trying to figure out if I can hope to hear back from them before I need to give all of the other schools a response.
(Specifically, Teacher's College at Columbia).
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Thank you all for all of your help! They just admitted me!!!!!!!!!! **happy dance**
See you on campus!
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Thanks! Do you have contact information for Ralph?
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Hey,
Thank you for your response. I'm going crazy waiting to hear back from them. Do you think it'll be okay if my GPA is below 3.0? Also, I'm scared to reach out to the overall Graduate school that they'll feel annoyed/backed into the corner and automatically reject me.
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Hey all,
Nervous/desperate applicant. My graduate department recommended me for admission, but I'm still waiting to hear back from the Graduate School. How long after the recommendation for admission did it take you all to hear back?
I'm really nervous because other schools want me to decide by today, but UMD is my top choice.
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For those of you with below 3.0 GPAs, how long did th Graduate school take to get back to you.
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For one school, it took the department a while. I submitted my application on February 28th and the department decided on the 8th of this month. Now, it moves forward to the overall "graduate school" for a decision.
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Does anyone have any examples of language they used to request an extension? I'm still waiting to hear back from some schools...
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I got an informal acceptance from one of my top schools, but my GPA is below 3.0. I sent my explanation into the school and I did attend a great undergraduate institution. The department recommended me, but I'm afraid the Graduate School will overturn it.
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Can people who had GPAs below 3.0 talk about their experiences?
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May I ask how you all worded your requests for more time?
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How long did it take you to hear back from the overall "graduate school" after you received an unofficial acceptance from the department?
How likely is it that they will turn you down if your GPA is below 3.0?
I'm freaking out.....this is one of my top programs and some schools want me to give them an answer tomorrow.
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How do you track down the contact information for the administrative assistant?
I was recommended for admission by the department as well but have yet to hear back from the graduate school. -
Hey,
If we receive an acceptance with absolutely no mention on funding, does that mean the school is not offering us any funding or that we should wait to hear back in a separate email about it?
I don't know what the protocol is for this and I want to make sure I don't rub people the wrong way.
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Did anyone get an unofficial acceptance from Maryland? If so, how long did it take for you to officially hear from the "the Graduate school?"
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Anyone still waiting to hear back from Teacher's College Columbia? (Ideally those of you who applied later in the cycle.)
I'm so nervous. This is my absolute top choice.
Does anyone know when we can expect to hear back?
Teachers College's relationship with Columbia University
in Education Forums
Posted
Naomi is completely right.
If you graduate from TC, your degree will say Columbia--not TC. As such, you are allowed to use whatever combination you would like. (Some people use "Teachers College, Columbia University" because that is how TC refers it itself, but you're not wrong to list your education as Columbia.) As people have mentioned, TC used to be on its own. Now, it has a very complicated relationship as an affiliate of Columbia. You'll still see TC listed as Columbia's school of education both in pamphlets and on Columbia's own website. PLUS, you graduate with all of the other Columbia graduates.
I would add that sometimes Columbia limits events to just Columbia College (undergrads) and their school of arts and science. Be prepared to get excluded from some things.