HigherEd2013

I have a pretty good feeling about tomorrow. Happy weekend!

Thanks, LBug. That actually made me feel a lot better. I think I'm just getting cold feet. I know this is the right choice for me as well. I think this whole process (and graduate school in general) plays with our emotions more than I'd like to admit.

Question: did anyone get awarded work study who did not have preexisting student loans? Honestly, as the time got nearer, I thought I would be more excited. Now, I'm seriously trying to just figure out why I'm going to be paying so much for this degree. I really love the program, but it just seems absurd to me that we are basically banned from resources that all of the other Harvard schools get (ie. more financial aid, access to all Harvard buses, automatic gym membership). Yes, we are truly there for the rigor of the classes, access to amazing professors and guidance, and the alumni network. However, I can't help but compare it to undergrad where I paid less than a quarter of that per year and had access to so many different resources. It just seems like each day, I find out more things I took for granted are not available for ed school students. Anyone else feeling frustrated with that?

Hi all, I know this is going to sound completely random coming from me, but does anyone (especially someone currently working in NYC) know of any education research companies in NYC? For some reason, Google is making my life difficult. The research companies can be non-profit or for-profit conducting research on K-12 or Higher Ed students, program effectiveness, reform issues etc. Main ones I've found so far: MDRC, RMC, Applied Research Center Can you guys think of any main ones I'm missing?

Welcome! You'll find some great people with good insight here .

Good luck to the 2014 group!!! It still hasn't hit me that I'm actually going. I think it won't be a reality until I move into my new place (TBD). Try not to freak out as much as we did. You always find out THE decision when you least expect it.

We spoke a little about this before. Go with HGSE. I know moving to a cold climate is going to suck. I'm about to do that no matter which school I choose and not looking forward to it. Just remember that it's one year! Then you can move to wherever you want . If I remember correctly, you have already had significant research experience and are looking for something more practical. With only 40% of Stanford's students having internships (mostly unpaid), you're better off at HGSE (80-90% have internships, 70% paid). HGSE also has the option for you to work with professors or get a research-based internship if you would like to offset the non-research focus. They also have great statistics classes that you can take (easy, advanced, ridiculously advanced). You could also cross register to take more classes outside of the Ed School. I'm thinking about doing a research based internship one semester, and a policy or non-profit internship in the spring. You just can't beat the flexibility of the internship and location of Boston (50 colleges and universities!). I think the K-12/higher ed meshing is not going to be as beneficial for you. You could always take some K-12 electives if you wanted. Anyway, it's easy to be swayed by family and warmth so remember to pick the one that is going to be the best program. 9 months of cold won't kill you. Do your PhD at Stanford instead . That makes more sense to me. Anyway, that's my $0.02.

In Boston! Can't wait to meet other higher Ed people tomorrow and the other awesome Ed school people on Friday!

Got my letter... all loans

Gosh.. has anyone else not received their fin aid package yet? My mail is SO SLOW. This happens every time. I always get mail days after everyone else. I really would like to see what my package looks like before I go so I can ask the correct questions at the financial aid session on Friday. Anyone know if they can email you the information or pick it up in person? My request to have an individual financial aid meeting was denied so I'm pretty frustrated.

I had to do this in Philly. I actually just left my bags with the GSE. It was really easy and they took care of them . I bet HGSE would be just as accommodating.

I think it honestly depends on your situation in life. Would you be okay with no longer having that money there? Are you looking at any other life changes that would need money right away? ie. house, getting married, children It sounds like you really don't want to go to Vandy and it wouldn't give you the experience you crave. UCLA is an incredibly research heavy/theory heavy school and would definitely prepare you much more for a PhD. In my opinion, you shouldn't go to a school if it's not going to help you with your future career. If it doesn't necessarily get you where you want, why would you want to waste your time there? As long as you aren't going to be hindered by not having that money in your bank account, I would definitely go to UCLA. Also, is there a chance to get more money in year two? or potentially gaining residency (assuming you don't have it already) to decrease tuition? I would ask those questions as well. If you're paying a bunch for first year, but then paying significantly less the second year, it could be worth it. Follow your heart (and make the logical decision too!)

I loved Penn. Everyone was incredibly nice and helpful. The focus of the program, on access and diversity, is crucial for me. I sat in on two classes and loved it- interesting topics and professors. The professors are really open door (and young!). Because the professors are young, they are more willing to take students on, make time to help them, and listen to their ideas. One of the things that was a big draw was the diversity of the cohort. I'm worried that HGSE's cohort wouldn't be as diverse. The last day, I had five graduate assistantship interviews. It was crazy, but I really ended up loving one of them and they were pretty interested in me. The overall theme of the GAs was "how can we help you" and "what do you want to learn," as opposed to "what can you do for us?" "why should we hire you." I had never experienced anything like it. The drawbacks: They were really, REALLY practice focused. I kind of like how Harvard is a combination of research, practice and policy. I'm still debating how many hours I would want a GA to be, 10 (HGSE) or 20 (Penn). There were also so many students who were just coming out of undergrad. Since higher ed is a lot of talking, I think it would be difficult to learn as much from a group that hasn't had as much work experience. Anyway, I just was wondering what others thought.