t_ruth

Just a note: I take volunteer RAs in the summer and many of the other grad students in my dept also do. However, there is also the possibility of signing up for research assistant credits in the summer (yay for killing two birds: GPA booster and research exp). Also, summer RAs are harder to find for us, so those that do summer get priority for the year...

Sorry I can't offer any advice. Most of the people here are looking for research programs (PhDs), so practice-oriented programs are outside of my wheelhouse. Probably best to talk to people you respect in your industry and to the students and faculty at both programs. Congrats and good luck!

Is there a local university? Ask them if you could intern as a research assistant this summer... Do you currently teach? Maybe you can think about what interests you in your classroom, do some reading and start using an eye toward research-informed practice. Think about businesses when they do analysis of their customers to improve their services...try the same thing in your classroom by collecting data to improve your practices. This would at least give you something to write about in your SOP

You should get research experience. Also, you will not want to apply to Harvard or Stanford unless your research interests happen to strongly match the faculty there--saying you want to apply there without knowing your research interests is putting the cart before the horse. For a PhD, I think it works best if your desire is first to answer a burning question...not just to get a PhD. Figure that out first and then look for the right schools.

I was excited to hear that, but not sure how it really plays out. Do we get to teach or TA & get a stipend ON TOP of our fellowship?

Your profile says American Politics is your field? Then perhaps an Ed Policy program would be better suited (these can be very quantitative as well...the one at my school is).

I think it depends on the school/program, but many Masters programs in Education aren't really research degrees (at least not in the same way a PhD is), so I wouldn't think you'd apply to work with a specific professor, but I could be wrong...

I gave each of my LOR writers a list of topics I wanted them to cover (so there was little overlap between them and I got stuff I wanted out there out) They all said they found this extremely useful. I didn't see their actual letters, and they weren't mentioned in my reviews, so I'm not sure whether it helped in the end or not... And BI is about your research, yes, but it should be a common thread throughout your application, including in your background.

There might also be EDD programs that meet your needs, if you wanted more than a Masters. Sorry I'm not more familiar--I think it's a different process for Masters & EDDs than for PhDs (where research interest doesn't really matter since you aren't looking for a research degree). Good luck!

I've never heard that you have to do that. I have volunteer experiences listed on my CV and I didn't provide any of that info...

I think there is already a thread with some reading recommendations I asked my advisor for a list before I started, maybe try yours? Also, reading the last few issues of AERJ couldn't hurt...

I have no choice in the matter because I'm already a second year, but if any of you are still deciding about when to go on reserve, I thought I'd throw in my opinion. I started my program as a researcher on a grant, and it has been extremely valuable! Had I had the fellowship in my first two years I don't think I would have been as actively involved in projects--and this involvement has really paid off in presentations and publications. My recommendation would be to do something like that for the first two years and then use the NSF when you are doing your *own* research. Just an opinion, but thought I'd offer it

One thing funny is that my school (and others) tell us that grades don't matter in a PhD program, but my reviewers specifically noted my success in coursework. Can you tell by my revisiting this thread so much I really am still in a bit of a state of shock?

Is it typical in your fields to have publications during your first year of grad work (since we apply at the beginning of our second years)? I imagine this varies field by field...

I received a fellowship. Field: STEM Ed E/E, E/VG, E/E perhaps you need more Es if you are not an undergrad (I'm a second year grad student). The VG told me both in IM & BI that I should have a publication (it is not typical in my field to have any publications until year 3 or later). Quote from BI: "This application could be strengthened by additional evidence of ability to communicate research through publications, as well as a more detailed plan to encourage diversity and broaden opportunities." Overall, most reviewers only wrote 2-3 sentences. I was hoping for more (like I had seen from colleagues), but I'm not going to complain since I got the award

Agree with above. And from what I've seen of Ed PhD programs, a Masters is not a requirement (and doesn't count toward courses) for many of them.

Perhaps you can identify some programs to which you are interested in applying and strike up a conversation with people there? Ask them what they view as most valuable?

Did anyone ever answer the question as to whether you think the reviews will be out sooner than three days? I'd really love to see them!

I'm hoping that they don't take the full three days for the reviews too! Anyone else think they won't?

to the person that asked about the HM being bumped up to award (sorry, too lazy to quote)...I think someone earlier in the thread mentioned that they knew of someone who was bumped up to an award from an HM because an awardee didn't accept. Am I remembering correctly?

keep getting an error when I try to view reviews. Has anyone seen theirs? Are they not up yet?

i'm trying to see the ratings now. I know one person who didn't get it (name didn't come up on search) and am trying to check on my other friends, but it won't load. I can log in and see "Welcome Fellow"

I searched my name on the list and found out I got it! Wow. I'm terrified it's a glitch though.

I'll be checking the list (for myself and my classmates).

With the qualifier that if you don't get the email and the list still isn't up, you are not necessarily guaranteed a win. All of the above speculating was under the assumption that the down-time is because they are posting the list