HigherEd2013
-
Posts
241 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Posts posted by HigherEd2013
-
-
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.
- EdYouKateOr and Kelly V.
-
2
-
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.
-
Sunshine, I emailed on Friday to see if we would get a confirmation. I will let you know what response I get. Getting so excited! Grew up in the NE, but never been to Boston or Cambridge. Also, I'm only getting a hotel for Friday night because my flight leaves so early on Sunday. Is there anyone willing to allow my bags to stay in there room Saturday until I head to the airport. Didn't really want to carry my suitcase around all day! Lol
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'm also still struggling!
I have a question - when you talk about how it isn't wise to go into debt for a masters degree -- what about emptying your bank account on a masters degree (but not going into debt)? I have worked for 7 years, so in addition to a bit set away in an IRA retirement fund (which of course I won't touch), I also have enough money in savings to fund my masters / living expenses for 2 years. However, at Vanderbilt I likely won't have to touch that money (or maybe only reduce it by 10-20% max), by doing an assistantship 20 hours per week that is mostly unrelated to my area of interest. At UCLA, I will likely use all of it or close to all of it.
There are big differences in the programs. Vanderbilt seems to be practitioner based, and the SSCE program at UCLA is all about theory. I love theory and am planning on pursing a PhD, but am not 100% sure yet and am open to professional options. In terms of location, I'd like to end up in California someday, and am not thrilled at all about the prospect of moving to Nashville. I also got into Columbia TC, but I think now the the advantages of the other two programs (funding / quality of program) have ruled that out for me.
I guess my question is - is it worth it to spend all of your savings on a masters in a program you'd probably be happier in, in a location you'd probably be happier in, or go with the financially safe option and worry about the other factors when you apply for your PhD later on?
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.
-
-
Anyone else struggling with this decision? After Penn's visit day, I was just blown away.
-
Didn't get the merit scholarship either
. I'm having a fantastic time at Penn's preview weekend. At this point, Harvard really needs to step it up. -
Yup, between letters and scholarship, ive tried 46 funding opportunities. Maybe something will happen?
-
Has anyone looked into the possibility of seeing the rooms/facilities of the on campus housing during preview weekend? I need to look into that, but wasn't sure if other people had already done so
.I'm getting excited for all of these events coming up!
-
AlsO make sure you checked off work study on the FAFSA. Otherwise, it won't be offered to you.
-
I got a scholarship in my acceptance letter and then got the financial aid letter last Friday night. I did find it in my Gmail Spam folder so make sure you are checking there too, good luck!
Great advice! I just checked my spam and found it. Everyone go check your spam!
-
My scholarship came included in the letter, but the actual financial aid award letter (that includes grants, loans, work study) hasn't come in yet.
-
I PMed you
-
Airwick, how do you enjoy living in Cronkhite? The location seems wonderful. Does it make you feel like you're back in undergrad though and is the food decent? I'd love the ease and location; I'm just hesitant to move from my nice one bedroom apartment into a dorm where I have to share a community style bathroom.
I confirmed my visit for higher ed on the Thursday. I also put in a request for classroom observations while I'm there. Anyone else do that yet?
I'm also a little torn as to what else to do. They make it sound like we can attend the events on Friday and some events on Saturday as well even if they are not technically for us. However, looking at the schedule, it seems like someone in a program other than the ones listed would feel out of place (ie. Program Meetings and later breakout sessions). Can anyone else in Higher Ed (or a non-Friday program) chime in with their thoughts?
-
I think it was late March to early April, so I'm not going to be expecting something on a certain date. Admissions was wayyyyyy too stressful for me for me to go through that again. In the meantime, I'm up to 17 scholarships completed so hopefully something will come through eventually..
-
Thank you to all current residents of the Boston area + HGSE students/alum for the helpful advice RE: Housing! I have a specific question for all of you, though -- how feasible is it to get a place just on your own (aka without roommates)? How much should I expect to dish out per month? I'm asking this just in case because I don't know a single soul in Boston + it just seems easier after having a space of my own for the past three years. Plus I might have a cat w/me; not sure how others will like that, heh.
I'm completely in the same boat, nicolemae. I do have some family in Boston, but they're in the suburbs and not exactly what I would want for my experience. I also have lived alone for the past two years (unfortunately sans cat because my apartment complex is mean). I don't know if it sounds totally crazy, but I'm going to attend the preview events on April 4th and 5th and hope someone there wants a roommate
. I actually think it would be fun to have multiple roommates during grad school, but that's just me.
HGSE Fall 2014
in Education Forums
Posted
I have a pretty good feeling about tomorrow. Happy weekend!