tesolin4languages

Thank you for that article! To answer your question as to whether my school partakes in grade inflation, I am not sure yet. I have received A's in all my subjects thus far (the ones taken over the summer). As for the low grades thus far, everyone in the class gets bad grades the first time around, and gets a chance to redo it within 3 weeks based on the comments the teacher made. According to your wikipedia article, "A teacher may improve evaluations by improving their teaching, but the strategy that comes most quickly to mind for achieving better evaluations is to give higher grades for assignments and exams." Since I have not experienced more than one semester, which was not even a full semester, I am not sure whether all my five classes will give me an A. The professors are really tough, and give no signs of easy grades. Maybe that comes in the end, once they round up the total grades? Does that happen to anyone? (My situation of being pushed to the max, with no mention of good grades, handing back assignments, and then finally all A's at the end?") Thanks for that article!

Hello everyone! I'll make this brief: I do not understand grade inflation, could some one do me the favor of explaining it to me? I am in grad school (first real semester after one summer semester) and I am going crazy about grades. The teachers give back assignments, and they come back with far from optimal grades, claiming rookie mistakes are the cause etc. We do have a chance to turn it back in for a better grade. Could someone please explain to me how grade inflation works, and how to know whether my school uses it or not? In my grad school I believe having more than two B's puts you on probation, something I need to avoid at all costs. Thanks every1 TESOL

Thanks ZeChocMoose! I appreciate your help. I will take your advice - I have a lot to learn. Any more input is always appreciated.

Hello everyone I am a student at University of Rochester, and I am studying MS TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages) In a job interview, is it okay to brag, by being eager to state your accomplishments? Or should you answer only if asked? It seems to me that in college applications, that is the time to brag, but tactfully. What about in job interviews? I have been denied jobs that are unrelated to my profession, many times because I come off, according to the employers as "too good" or "overqualified." I bring a resume that is packed full of "Magna Cum Laude," or won this award or that. I am rather upset because I was placed with a future mentor (a teacher I will be observing for more than 100 hours and then I will take over the classroom) and met her at a restaurant. I handed her what I *assume* was a presumptuous resume. And even though I believe we had great connection, she replies a few days later saying "I don't think we have the right connection." I believe I tried too hard to sell myself. I try to be humble as much as possible, and sure, while not intended, I can very easily make people jealous with just a brief look at my resume. Any tips on perfecting humility, and how I should approach future things such as this? Thanks everyone! TESOL

Good point (duh!) grade inflation. Very true. Every1 else?

What's up every1?? I just went to orientation @ my school where I will be doing my masters. They explained that while they do record grades, GPA is not counted. While they can calculate it for you, they do not use GPA. Now, is this because it is unimportant when transitioning to PhD candidacy? What reasons do they have for this? I asked and they said "it's just one of those things" Does any one also have this at their university? For those that truly know what they're talking about, what would be the possible PROS and CONS to this? Thanks guys, and I hope this was the right forum for my topic! TESOL

Dear all: Thanks for the great responses. I have now a better understanding of the topic. Thanks! TESOL

Great replies guys! I'm liking this! Keep them coming if you have information you deem worthy of adding!

Hello everyone! I am going to start late June in MA TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) in Warner School of Education @ University of Rochester. I have been talking to a few people, advisers included that say my very-intensive program will not allow me to work. I am going to mentored, I will be teaching, and I will have 12 credits of courses. I'd love to know what others do for extra cash IF they can only sometimes work, and not commit to a full time or even a part time job. Of course, I will be taking a Stafford loan, twice. All included, I will have everything I need when it comes to car, insurance, etc. I also have a 40% tuition waiver. That being said, I still would love to know what other people do, so please do chime in! If you have advice that is most welcome as well. Thanks!!! TESOL

I got in as well. I'm from FL! (I got into the Warner School, and I am doing a MA in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages!) TESOL

I'm bumping the post so it doesn't get lost. Any1?

Thanks! Let me just say, IDK why I forgot to mention that I did receive a 40% waiver of tuition. I don't feel right in revealing how much UR @ Warner costs, however I was approved for the full Stafford amount. I do need to establish, however, to know exactly how much I will receive, my budget. Also note that this is a 15 month program, and requires a FAFSA of 2010-2011 (summer B, starting June 27th) and then 2011-2012 (for the rest of the program, ending Summer A) which is why you are seeing that I have been approved for two year's worth of loans ($20,500x2). I plan on paying for food, rent, books etc with this extra cash. My plan is to pay off the part that accrues interest ASAP and as I have understood (and I may be wrong, because I am a total noob at this) that I have more than 25 years to pay the rest off. This is what makes this country great .........Thanks for the advice. While I will try to not spend as much, I am a person that loves to go out to a nice restaurant or for a drink at least once or twice a week. I cannot live on PB&J (or a diet of depravation just because I am a student). lol I hope you understand! I will try to be as money conscious as possible, but I need to live a little And as for the fourth and final question, I am not 100% sure. Let's say I am 99% sure that I am not going to get any money from this. I did ask my adviser whether I would receive any remuneration for mentoring and teaching and the answer was "No, of course not" because I am learning, says the adviser. Of course, this is not etched in stone since I have not gone to orientation, which starts May 12th - this is where I will learn more. But I am eager to know more! If anyone wants to answer the questions I'd be more than likely to hear your advice! Thanks again hope hope! I appreciate your answer. PS> Sorry if I seem rather naive on the topics. But I am here to learn! I cannot wait to start!!!!

Hello everyone. I am attending University of Rochester, NY (Warner School of Education) for my MA in TESOL program. My advisor has been telling me that it would be impossible to work while a full time student. I will have mentoring, teaching, plus class and the all the classwork. Now, I have a FAFSA filled out, and will get the full amount for a Stafford loan twice during my stay at Rochester ($20,500x2 I think it is). (I already got approved) Now, 1) Do any of you have any tips for people in my situation? Remember, I will not be able to work. Rochester, NY is a very cheap place, so I'm told. But what do people do in these situations? Note this is the first time I live away from my home state and away from family, so I've never been fully independent and I intend to start now 2) Are there other other loans I should know about? 3) If anybody is from UR definitely contact me I'd love to ask more questions!!!! Thanks guys TESOLIN4LANGUAGES

Great answer!!! Thanks for this knowledge, I'll use it if needed Congrats on your acceptance(s) -TESOLin4Languages

Id like to know as well. One of my unis, U of Rochester, requires 2 weeks of receipt of admissions, AND they require you to pay a fee. While I have no experience with this, If you haven't paid a fee I see no problem. I believe U of Rochester, in my case, the fee is non-refundable. If you haven't paid a dime, why worry? You might piss them off for wasting their time, but that's why you paid for their review of your application in the beginning anyway. Remember you will be studying for a long time, and if it takes a few ppl getting pissed off it is worth it, if your happiness is at stake. This is just a logical analysis. Hope it helps, even if I did not answer your question factually. Tesolin4languages

LOL every 1 is so busy. This morning I sent out the Columbia letter saying yes to the wait listing. So, I called them and oddly enough they are on Spring Break. WTH? LOL In any case, I hope I can get a fast reply. What a bad day to be on Spring break, from my point of view. If anyone cares to add their 2c, please do so

To every1 that replied: Thanks. I JUST received a letter from Columbia saying that due to the excess number of students, they cannot accept many fine applicants and I have the option to be on a wait list. While this might be good news, Columbia starts in Fall 2011, while U of Rochester starts during the summer. I will mail the "yes" to the wait list first thing. I am going to have to press for a decision in Columbia (In the letter, I wrote that I have a limited amount of time to accept another uni's offer). I am saddened because it was not a definite YES or NO. First thing tomorrow morning, I will call U of Rochester to see if I can extend my start from Summer A to Summer B and especially will try to extend the "15 days" offer. Thanks, and I will use all the advice given. If other people want to offer advice, please feel free! TESOLin4Languages

Hello every1. I have been accepted to the Marger Warner school of education in U of Rochester, NY. I am waiting on my Columbia acceptance. However, Warner wants a reply in 15 days....and Columbia says that the acceptance letters should be sent out " soon. " I have asked them numerous times before to define " soon " and they all seem to say the exact same thing: "We don't discuss this by phone. However, you COULD extend the date of 15 days since most universities make April 15th the deadline" Now, this is my question: 1) Is the 15 days extendable? I do not want to call Warner and say "I might just go to your school, but let me wait on my first choice." This seems rather rude, even if they deal with it frequently. Moreover, that would make them feel second best - which they really aren't because of undisclosed factors - still, I want to know whether Columbia is a possibility. Any advice? Thanks! TESOLIN4LANGUAGES

Thanks for your input! I truly appreciate it ! I have decided that I have to come to a sensible solution from all the answers put together(lol): it makes absolute sense to keep up the good work, all while knowing that they review your application based on what you have already performed. If comparable performance is not achieved in the last semester well it's not as important, but if it's drastically lower than what you applied with that would be a very bad sign, probably leading to the college's / school's rejection. If anybody else has input I always appreciate it. Thanks every1! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well for one I wanted to continue a (probable) conversation with Rustin and anyone who could explore the question a little more with answers or personal opinion on the subject at hand or any others that were slightly touched upon or implied. No need to be aggressive, I'm just trying to get to know people. Relax

my post is seemingly lost in oblivion

bump

I'd love to experience a true winter. The coldest I've been is living in France for a few years and that doesn't get colder than 32F-35F or 0C to -5C most winters. So Rochester NY will be a big change I already have an interview for University of Rochester and I am hoping it is a good thing and not just part of the application process. In my mind, this means that they are at least marginally interested. FYI, I am planning on teaching ESOL (English to Speakers of Other languages). Columbia is a top education school, as is Warner I believe. However, given that I will be independent financially, while NYC is great, it's really expensive and given the fact that I will try to be a full time student, making ends meet will be tough with menial / nickel and dimed jobs. I hope since Columbia's deadline was Jan 15th, and Warner's was Feb1st that by mid march I will have an answer. Do you know when they will give you the decision? This would spare me some cash because every school charges a fee, plus transcripts and if I have an answer then I don't have to bother with my other choices. I want to go to NY state badly because that's where the opportunity for my major is. Plus, NYC K-12 certification is as rigorous as they come, and they have reciprocity with many states. Good luck with your apps Rustin! Also, if any1 has tips or info or just opinions, I'd love to read them. =)

bump to the top of the page!

Thanks. I definitely understand. However in my SOP I said I'd be graduating as Magna Cum Laude. Therefore, I need to make sure I receive all A- (I did the calculation with my counselor) in order to maintain my status of magna cum laude. I should have written, perhaps, that I would be graduating with honors (and not specifying what degree of honors). Any1 else have opinions? Thanks to every1 that has taken their time to reply! =)