hitomimay

First off, nice job on the Verbal and Quant scores. Those are definitely more than sufficient for some of the top tier PhD programs. However, since doctoral studies require a high level of writing ability, your 3.5 may put you at a disadvantage. My recommendation is to practice the essay section and take it again. Minimum should be a 4.5, and top tier programs rarely accept anything below a 5. Another option however is to submit any writing samples along with your application that demonstrates strong writing skills, ideally any publications if you have any. Well, those are my two cents. Let me know if you have any questions.

Actually, you don't HAVE to have any teaching background to get into a PhD for education. EdD is more of a practitioner, as others have mentioned, but PhD is strictly a research role. You need only a VERY strong research interest in your Statement of Purpose, and demonstrate that you can handle the tough graduate school environment (your strong scores in your MPA should be more than enough). There have been a few students admitted into my PhD cohort this year that have not had any actual teaching experience. You're actually in a great place to do a PhD if you can frame your SOP well enough. I was a Biology major before this. By the way, the majority of PhD in Education does not necessarily have to deal with teaching and the classroom. Everyone in my cohort actually focuses on Education Policy, and I'm going to be working on Economics of Education and Higher Ed access. Some others are working on Psychology of Education. Your options are quite unlimited. If you need more info, you can PM me.

Not to have people freaking out regarding off-campus housing and not to be crass about recent tragedies, but let's be real. USC is located in a large city, crimes always occur in major cities. You need to be smart about what you're doing, for instance, not sitting in an expensive-looking car in the dead of night, and start being more vigilant. I come from Detroit, and teach inner-city kids in gangs, and you need to be real with yourself, crimes are more prevalent here in major cities, walk in groups, don't stay out too late at night, use Campus Cruiser (they are a service that drives you home near campus at all hours if you feel the need for extra safety)...etc. Most of the recent crimes around USC have been cases of students not being too careful past 1AM. I don't think people should shy away from off-campus housing near USC: it's convenient walking/biking distance from campus, and mostly consisted of USC students. Just be smart.

I was under the impression it was mandatory? Anyway, signed up for it, BBQ and all.

Hopefully I can shed light on this subject. USC (University of Southern California) has a PhD in Urban Education Policy, and guarantees graduation in 4 years by May of your 4th year. They cover tuition plus a 25-30k stipend each year. They also provide 6k summer funding should you work then. I have more info should you be interested.

Congrats! Excited for you! I'll be there for an Edu Policy PhD, so looks like we'll be there for the long haul. I'm looking for a roomie, and so is joh03067. You can also try USC's housing roommate search system too. Congrats again!

Take my response with a HUGE CHUNK of salt, but I feel like the fact that they aren't covering for expenses for you to visit might be a small testament to how much funding they have. Obviously your stipend is covered and guaranteed, but I'm talking about paying for other expenses such as conferences/travel. My school offers $1000 a year for that, but they have an unspoken thingy where their students to go to conferences beyond that stated amount. Funding also shapes just how much research you can do (some of our students conduct research out of state). I dunno, personally I'd feel better going to a school that is a little more financially secure? But I might not know what I'm talking about. ><'' Come to USC! Its warm and inviting California weather is beckoning you!!! How can you possibly resist.

Thanks! Wish he didn't make that comment in front of my students. Ugh. And oh man, I was in Cali last weekend for their Campus Visit, and they must have turned on the good weather for us, cuz it was AMAZING!!!

As a 2nd year teacher, a representative from UofM came to observe my classroom today. Afterwards, he asked me what my plans were for the following year. Upon telling him I was going to do my doctorates at USC, he responded with a "Oh, you know, that's funny. I recently saw a list of the top 10 Education programs, on no, I meant top 20 programs, UC Berkeley and UCLA were on there, and of course Michigan was there too, but USC wasn't on the list." My mental thought process: A. What list were you looking at again? B. Check the list again. He then left my classroom saying "Have fun in grad school! Well, not so much fun with all the loans you'll have to take out." My immediate response: "Oh, I have an incredible financial package, free ride to college and an amazing stipend. So yes, I will have tons of fun in grad school." (Cue double fist pump in the air!) He left my classroom thinking I'm nuts. Heh... =.=''

As a 2nd year teacher, a representative from UofM came to observe my classroom today. Afterwards, he asked me what my plans were for the following year. Upon telling him I was going to do my doctorates at USC, he responded with a "Oh, you know, that's funny. I recently saw a list of the top 10 Education programs, on no, I meant top 20 programs, UC Berkeley and UCLA were on there, and of course Michigan was there too, but USC wasn't on the list." My mental thought process: A. What list were you looking at again? B. Check the list again. He then left my classroom saying "Have fun in grad school! Well, not so much fun with all the loans you'll have to take out." My immediate response: "Oh, I have an incredible financial package, free ride to college and an amazing stipend. So yes, I will have tons of fun in grad school." (Cue double fist pump in the air!) He left my classroom thinking I'm nuts. Heh... =.=''

I'm jealous that you're on Spring Break. 3 more weeks for us! Come on April 6... come on.... ><'' The next three months are killing me. Summer needs to come faster.

Congrats Revo! That's stellar! abr2116, does this mean it's Arizona for sure? Or are you banking on any waitlisted schools? I want you with me at USC lol. I'm partial, I know.

Like what im_blue said, I don't feel too comfy doing screen shots, but if you wanna know anything beyond the regular rankings, PM me.

I'd say avoid it if you can. My SO and I have been long distance for the past 2 years for our Masters, and we're doing it again for our PhDs (another 4-5 years, oy). It's not fun, and costly on frequent plane tickets. And honestly, as a PhD student, there even LESS time available for a Skype chat via time differences. Long story short: it sucks. Avoid at all costs if possible.

I have a subscription, so let me know if anyone needs info on US News Rankings.

Only an hour in LA, and already spoiled rotten. Incredible surprise welcome package waiting for me at the hotel with personal hand written notes, and never though i would say this but... sharing an elevator with really hot educated boys in three piece suits. Eeeeee, I think I'm going to love grad school! Lol

Finished packing. Headed to airport after-school with a direct flight from Detroit to Los Angeles. USC Campus Visit, here I come! So excited!!! Wheeeeeee!!!

Hahaha. It's not uncommon. I have an American accent throughout the day, and then some British accents dot my conversation when I talk to old family friends (especially my "not"s and "don't"s), and extra heavy dose of Chinglish with my parents. My SO says it's obvious who I talk to on the phone the way my accents change.

A belated congratulations on everyone who's recently been accepted!!! In the meantime, I'm sitting here during my prep hour, trying to enjoy my last few moments of boredom as the school blocked Engrade on our internet (can't input grades! ACk!) by surfing GradCafe, and sincerely (although most people would say crazily) looking forward to the days where I'll be up to my ears in work in graduate school. Fall won't come fast enough!

After being rejected from Harvard, mother says: "Oh no, NOW how will you ever find a good and smart husband?" Not like I was getting my PhD just for my MRS degree, but thank you mother for having faith in the men at the schools I was accepted into? And wait, what does that say about me in your eyes? O.o?!?!

Hahaha, thanks wannabeaphd. It's just made Stanford's original rejection sting a little more lol. I feel like they're saying: you're not good enough for our PhD, but we'll take you if you've got some moolah to dish out? ><'' USC is the only PhD program that accepted me, so my path is clear. Can't do what I want to do without a PhD, no matter where it's from. Plus the idea of USC is growing on me more and more, so excited!!!

Got into Stanford POLS today. Heh heh heh... =.=''

Ah Pandora's box has been opened! Personally I don't think there's a "stronger" or "better" degree when it comes to the EdD and PhD in Education. I had asked a number of professors from different programs regarding this when I was trying to figure out which one I should apply for, considering most schools only allowed me to apply to one and only one. They stated that the difference is not in rigor or superiority, but rather what you want to do with a degree in Education. EdD is more practice-based, and holders of this degree tend to be superintendents or administrators. PhD is geared more towards academia and researching theories that the EdD people will one day be utilizing. PhD holders tend to be professors or other academic positions. One POI told me to look at it like Economics vs. Marketing. USC breaks it down on their website too if you're interested: EdD or PhD? http://rossier.usc.e...phd-vs-edd.html After Graduation with EdD:http://rossier.usc.edu/academic/edd/after-graduation.html After Graduation with PhD: http://rossier.usc.edu/academic/phd/after-graduation.html

Hi! I've accepted USC's offer, and really excited to be attending this fall. Looking forward to getting to know you guys!!! Slightly off topic but... I'm looking for a roomie?

I've accepted USC's offer, and will be moving to LA from a different state. I'm looking for a long-term roommate (approx 4 years), male and female are both fine, my only request is that you are a non-smoker. I have 2 small dogs and a cat who are very friendly and loving, and I have a car if you'd like to carpool. I haven't found a place yet, but I'm open to searching with you (I've been recommended neighborhoods like Culver City, Silverlake or Los Feliz) for an apartment or house to rent. PM me please if you're interested?