chai time

So don't laugh, but in a fit of boredom and anxiety, last night I plotted the dates from the results page for all the programs I applied to for the last three to four years. For TC (and the ICE program), there were very few posted results, but it was generally trending earlier and earlier (which was a trend seen in all the schools). The earliest notification I saw for TC was Feb 24 (in 2020), and the latest was Mar 12 (also 2020), and it seems that most results come out the first week of March. That said, not a lot of data to work with so who knows!

I almost applied to only one program too! But then realized I would not be able to handle the suspense, which is true... even having applied to four, the wait is killing me. I can't imagine how you must feel! But here's to an expedient acceptance for you (and a full-ride!).

Hi everyone! I saw this on another thread (yes, I'm reading archives from other forums, yes I am bored) and was amazed to see most people's hopes came true! I thought it might be fun to bring to our little education zone. What is your DREAM turn out for this application season? What is something you hope will happen? And realistically, what do you guess will happen? Let's start manifesting ? I DREAM that I'll get into HGSE with enough funding that I can actually go. I HOPE I'll get into TC and work with a professor I really like, and NYU for their classes! My GUESS is that I'll get into GWU for sure and NYU, but not have enough funding from NYU to go. I am not sure about TC or HGSE. (Still sending good vibes about it to the universe though) What are your dreams, hopes, and guesses?

I have no recommendations, but I am in a similar situation and hope others can provide more insight!

https://www.thegradcafe.com/survey/post_v2.php When you hover over results, right below to the right it says "Post Results"

Funny how February has become the longest month of the year, huh? Also I'm not Foxfire and I don't have specific numbers but I enjoy Peterson's for looking up (alleged) stats.

I agree with that. I'd argue social media has had a larger influence on activism both in the US and abroad, perhaps the erudite nature of France makes them view it from that perspective rather than seeing the truth? But it's true that the US has far more social justice-y programs available like women and gender studies, African American studies, etc. That the French view it as a threat is something they need to work on. Anecdotally, I do think differing education levels can cause divides. I'm a first-generation college grad, and a liberal in a Southern conservative family, so I can see how my ideals differ from theirs and how those ideals were strengthened by my humanities education. I think they get defensive when I try to discuss politics too-- especially if I try to cite historical evidence or a case study or something. They think I'm trying to lord it over them, when really I'm just trying to incorporate other views into my argument. In my experience, people with less formal education are informed by their lived experiences and those of the people near to them, which can lead to a narrower viewpoint. I don't really know what could be done about this other than representation and trying to bring back the library. Not sure if these thoughts answer your question but just something I was thinking about.

Really interesting topic. I don't have much to contribute but it did make me think of this article I read the other day about the "threat" American ideals (embedded through the US higher ed system) are posing to French society: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/09/world/europe/france-threat-american-universities.html

I just need to vent about this: I emailed the admissions department of a school to ask how applying by the Early Decision deadline would influence when I would receive my decision. I got a boilerplate "you get it when you get it" email that they were clearly sending en masse to anyone who had "decision" in their subject line. What's the point of Early Decision deadlines if it doesn't expedite the decision? I guess what bothers me the most is that they didn't even bother to pay attention to the email. Anyway.

I can totally relate to the feeling! My stomach sunk. I'm hoping that your mentor isn't wrong though-- that they'll let it pass. I did read someone's SOP (who had been admitted to TC at Columbia) who repeatedly used quotations improperly by putting the period outside. It is such a tiny nuance but it really bothered me. I guess the admissions folks didn't mind though. Still can't stop thinking about it though. It was in a sentence that was supposed to be really powerful too. I have no idea how I missed it!

Pending?

Mine was "fell" where I meant "feel"... truly so embarrassing. But hopefully they FEEL the sentiment.

Was just rereading my HGSE SOP and found a *~tYpoOoOo~* so count me out guys, I'm not getting in, good luck to you all.

That's certainly a challenge! It sounds like taking the time for a Master's would be a good investment, and with combined with your experience in the field I'm sure they'd make you a fierce competitor for PhD programs. But time is far more valuable than dollars, and if finishing your PhD earlier is essential than it is a tough decision. From my limited experience, it's worth it to hold out for the thing you want. Maybe consider which one would leave you wondering, what if? Either way I wish you the best of luck, and I hope someone with more insight can offer more pertinent advice.

I am not currently applying to PhDs, however I might end up in a similar boat as well-- I have received an acceptance from a lesser known program that is an excellent fit for my research interests, but may get admitted to far more prestigious schools. My first question is, if you took the Master's, would you pursue a PhD later on down the line? If you would find any value in the Master's aside from adding it to your resume, that might be a better option. Plus, it could launch you into an even more prestigious PhD. You just have to justify the financial blow that a Master's will deal you. Also, have you applied to PhD programs anywhere else? If so, did you receive any feedback on your application that might help you decide if it's worth a Master's as a boost? (Mind you, Ed Policy is not my field, but these are the thoughts that sprung to mind)

I feel like I really lucked out with the new set-up. I am really interested in international education (currently developing a nonprofit in the field) but my interests (high school study abroad) was not really covered in the IEP program. ELOE is far more aligned with my interests, and sprinkling in IEP will be icing on the cake.

Still very helpful to know about. I have a scholarship elsewhere so if I get admitted to TC this could be helpful to me!

Alright, finally decided to post my stats since I have found them so useful (or at least fun to obsess over) during this very painful period of time. Concentration/Program: MEd in Education Leadership, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship (concentration in Global, International, and Comparative Education)GRE: not submitted/did not waste money on takeWork experience: Five years of voluntary mentorship of youth exchange students, three summers working abroad (once as an au pair, and two at an education nonprofit), a few months of tour guiding for exchange students (cut short by COVID), Fulbright ETA Finalist before COVID also messed that up, and one year Americorps at a youth-focused mentoring nonprofitUndergrad: BA in International Studies from a regional state school. Not a remarkable school by any means but it is a Carnegie Tier 1 research schoolUndergrad GPA: 3.78/4.00Research: Senior Honors Thesis on the Peace Corps perpetuation of white saviorism; received a travel grant to conduct archival research for that project. I also mentioned a few papers I had written (none published) that were relevant to the field of int'l ed., one of which was nominated for an award LORs: One from the professor who advised my thesis (very strong), one from a professor I had a really close connection with and took two classes from (strong) and one from a my former volunteer supervisor for the youth exchange organization (very strong) SOP: It took me 3 months to write the body of it so it better be good. It really is the story of how I came to the field of international education and I think it captures the passion I have for disrupting the current status quo in the high school youth exchange world. My interests are pretty niche but also pretty unexplored which I drive home in my SOP. I am also interested in pursuing a PhD so I mention this as well.Other schools: The George Washington University (accepted on 1/19), TC Columbia, NYU Steinhardt I applied super last minute because I didn't realize they had waived the GRE req until probably two weeks away from the application deadline. Needless to say, this is probably the roughest SOP I put together, but I am still really eager about the program.

I would love to hear about how you negotiated if you wouldn't mind elaborating!

Hi everyone! I noticed that there were threads for applicants to IE/CIE/IED (and the millions of other variants of this program) in past years so I thought I would open it up for this year. I've applied to the MA in NYU, TC, GWU, and to the Ed.M in ELOE at HGSE (with a concentration in international education). Where are you applying? How do you feel about the program this year with COVID in mind?

Do y'all think that the new program structures will change the number of admitted students?

Not applying to PhD (yet), but I just submitted all my master's applications! I've applied to International Education at TC, NYU, and George Washington, and Education Leadership, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship at HGSE. On one hand it was freeing to submit after working on applications since mid-October, but now I have nothing to redirect my energy to. I'm currently trying to learn to draw and am reading a lot of children's novels. Very very low-effort, while feeling a little more satisfying than watching Netflix.

Yes, I am! If you'd like I can send you notes if you're not able to attend.

Yay, so great to find someone else interested in the program! Are you attending the Current Students panel tonight?

Hi everyone! I'm applying to the MA in Comparative and International Education. I'm a candidate from a second- or third-tier state school but I have a relatively high GPA and some good independent research experience. I do feel like TC is a massive reach for me but I'm hoping to pull it off. I'm not submitting GRE for financial reasons, and because it's just too difficult to take right now. Also, CIE doesn't require it-- I have a lot of international experience through internships/working, personal travel, and study so I'm hoping that that, my statement of purpose, recs will get me in. Also, CIE is a pretty niche program so I don't think it will be as affected by the influx of grad candidates as more general programs may be. Looking forward to following your journeys as well!