morifol

I applied for Leadership and Policy Studies with a specialization in Higher Education Leadership and Policy.

hot stuff

Telling the people who care makes it real. When your state of 'omg, I'm applying to Harvard' changes into 'I've applied to Harvard. All of my friends (professors, family) believe I will be accepted', it's a completely different experience. You will also feel more confident when it comes to the interview.

I even believe that I will benefit from HGSE community way more than from interaction with just one (or two) professors. I don't think about schools in terms of faculty (how many people do, actually?), but rather in terms of their atmosphere, culture, values, and the like. However, I did state the areas I was interested in (I was extremely specific there, because I know what I want to be doing), and the theoretical approaches I prefer. As for 'equity reasons', I believe they don't respond simply because they are lacking time and have more important things to do (understandable). For instance, it's impossible to get the contacts of current students or alumni, because HGSE is afraid that they would be overwhelmed with requests. During my One-on-One chat with a representative, I asked whether you were supposed to contact the faculty before applying, and they said that it was absolutely unnecessary. Not even 'not necessary, but we advise you to do so...'. Just unnecessary.

I second Dracos' opinion. It is awesome they you did! Shows you are thorough!

I am not interested in Ed.M., so I will not be deferred. Has anyone else here chosen this option? I am a bit worried about my SOP, as I didn't specify concrete faculty members, only the fields of specific faculty member (without mentioning names) that would give my research new perspectives....

I've the whole thread for Vanderbilt Peabody Fall 2015, but nothing for this application season. Anybody?

PhD applicants, did you go into a lot of details into faculty profiles & how your research interests fit into that in your SOPs?

I believe your credentials look solid. Especially if you worked well on your SOP, and explained how it all comes together :).