phillyhed

Someone posted on the Results page on Friday that they got an invite to the Interview Weekend. It was a higher ed EdD applicant. They didn't specify if it was for traditional EdD or Executive. I'm not sure if they require interviews for Executive EdD.

You're right-- I only applied to Penn. I'm from Philly and have lived here all my life. I'm an older applicant (almost 38) so uprooting my life is a bit overwhelming. I've been in my job for nearly 7 years and at this organization for 10. I have a secure career here. Today's the first day I've really been thinking about options and starting to talk to people in my life about what I might do next. I haven't really been able to discuss it since Friday. It's a big disappointment. I'm considering a few things: Stay in my current job for another year and apply to other programs/ schools next year. (I'm interested in college degree attainment for first generation/ low-income students so Sociology is another way to go.) Talk to my boss about reshaping my role at the organization to get more hands on experience with data and measurement (that's a big part of what I do now but not my primary role). If I did that, I'd commit to staying for two more years. Look for jobs where I can get more experience doing research/ policy work at an organization that would be willing to hire someone with little research experience but is smart and willing to work hard to learn on the job. I'm not sure how practical this is in Philly, although I've seen jobs at research institutes in DC that would consider a tele-commute arrangement. Look for a job doing the kind of work I do now (college retention) on a campus, rather than through a non-profit. It's tough. I'm very settled- married, own a home, comfortable life style. Applying to school was a big step for me so I've been doing this big gear-up for a possible transition in my life and now...I don't know what I'm going to do. What about you?

@Heather1011, I don't find it odd. What it takes to succeed in med school is different from undergrad and what it takes to get a master's is different from a doctorate. My MSEd from Penn GSE was 15 years ago. It's a completely different department now than it was then-- a totally different focus, faculty, etc. Now, in my view, it's a better fit for me now than it was then but in this case, someone disagreed and I have to accept that.

For any gluttons for punishment, like me, I emailed Penn GSE Admissions to get confirmation that all invites for doctoral interview weekend have indeed been sent and got this reply: Thank you for your message. All invitations for Doctoral Applicants Weekend at Penn GSE have been sent via email. All applicants will receive their decision regarding admission in mid-March. Let us know if you have any other questions, have a great day. I just needed to put the nail in that coffin because even though I knew they were all supposed to go out on Friday, I needed to know definitively. Receiving the email about the financial aid session was a bit of a punch in the gut, as I'm sure the official rejection will be. Good to know I can stop hoping though. I have no effing idea what I'm going to do next but wish you all the best!

My boss said something similar but we work less than 30 blocks from GSE and it didn't start snowing until nearly 7:00 last night. I'm not hopeful. I knew it was a long shot but I was genuinely optimistic about my chances. Very disappointed. Congrats to all who got interviews.

Yep, I figured that was you! I'm reading through your questions now.

From tonight's chat-- I asked this question in the Admissions box: Christina: Hi LaToya, Do you know if all of the invitations to the doctoral interview weekend were sent today or will some be sent tomorrow? LaToya F. - Admissions: Christina, invitations to the doctoral weekend will be sent out by the end of the day tomorrow. Christina: Thanks LaToya! So, now we know. We have hope!

Higher Ed has PhD (only offered full-time), EdD (for the past several years, only part-time although they didn't matriculate anyone this year), and Executive EdD. I applied for the PhD. No invite here.

I was nervous about not hearing when I read that the email was from the Dean but I think the fact that both interview invites were from a single division COULD mean we should hold out hope. That said, I just got back to my desk after a meeting and when I saw that I had no new email, I cursed out my computer. So...so much for holding out hope.

It's this one: http://thegradcafe.com/survey/index.php I'm guessing you're the one who submitted that, yes? Congrats on your interview invite! I'm interested in studying college access and success for first-generation-to-college students from low-income families. Interested in working with Laura Perna. No invite here so far.

There's a PhD interview invite at GSE on the results page-- in Quant Methods. Interviews are 2 weeks from this weekend. Pretty sure I'm about to vomit.

Congrats! Fingers crossed that more are on the way!

Another day of no news...sigh. My evening will consist of a bubble bath, a book, and wine! My anxiety level is off the charts. My wife asked me last night what I'm going to do if I get the interview-- assuming that the stress will stay the same or ratchet up. I explained to her that I don't expect that to happen since I'll actually have some control over the interview. Right now, I can't do anything and it's making me crazy!

Oh, the nausea is DEFINITELY anxiety! I make myself eat every day. I just don't have a desire. On the upside, I've lost 3 lbs.

Congrats on your acceptance, Heather! I've worn out the refresh on my browser today...if such a thing is possible. I can't imagine that PhD interview invites will go out later than this Friday. The waiting is brutal.