hitomimay

Congrats, that's awesome!

Finished phone meeting with the professor. It went pretty well I suppose. Just mostly talked about the types of research he wanted to start doing, and how he thought I was a good fit for some of them. He then said he hopes that this will be my last Detroit winter, that he's a really laid back advisor, to contact him or his PhD students should I have any more questions, and that admission results will be coming out soon. But no official (or even unofficial) decision. Am I reading too much into the things he says, or should I be hopeful?! The wait is rough, but I'm certainly grateful I've even made it this far. Oh man...

I finally heard from the professor's secretary. Another Skype meeting, this time with the professor. Hahaha, oh man...

You'd be surprised! USC didn't have an interview component publicized either, but here we are! According to GradCafe Results Search, Harvard starting sending out admission notices mid/late Feb last year, so might be sooner than we think!

Congrats and good luck! Keep us all posted.

Alright, I need someone's input and viewpoint here. So the interview went alright, the professor's current PhD students conducted the interview. They said that they were talking to a few other students, and nothing in the conversation makes me think they love or hate me. They ended the conversation with "his secretary will be in touch with you in a few days". What's your take? I don't want to get hopeful and crushed later, but what on earth can she possibly say? ><'' Gaaaah, sometimes hearing from schools makes me feel like I'm being baited like fish lol.

Thanks everyone for the congrats. It felt amazing to hear something initially, but now I realize the nervousness and waiting game isn't over til we get the results, good or bad. Interview is in about 12 hours, yet I can tell you I've been sweating bullets and churning stomachs since the email. Gaaaaah. Just want it over with... ><''

Hooray litjust! That's amazing! CONGRATULATIONS!!! You can start to breathe now! I'm so happy for you

USC PhD: It's happening!!! Contacted by a professor today, phone interview Saturday. It's happening!!!

EKJ, don't worry, it wasn't a phone interview. One of those two people on the results page was me. The other person seems to have the exact same situation/message I got. You're not missing out on much. But we should be hearing from professors in the next few weeks, which is what really counts. Good luck!

Update 12/23: So I had my phone conversation with the Director. Not an interview fortunately (those make me nervous!) She says that while all my professor choices make sense, they may not be available for taking on new students as they already have around 9+ students. She suggested a number of other professors that I could expand my research interests towards and get back to her about it. How nerve-racking, but email sent. The good news is she said I was definitely a "very competitive applicant", so that puts some unease to rest (albeit surprising considering my background and experience) For my fellow USC applicants: The Director of the PhD program looks over EVERYONE's application, and passes on ones that she recommends to the professors who will review them over Christmas break. Professors then will contact those they are interested in early January. Decisions will come out late January, early February. There's a fully-paid invitation for the 20 admitted students March 8/9 to meet and huddle, and they expect a cohort of 15. Good luck again everyone. Keep us all posted on your application ventures. This stress and hive-of-bees (compared to butterflies) in our stomachs are definitely mutual lol.

I ended up being a single parent and sole guardian to my little brother, and I definitely put that in my SOP. Considering I've got an interview lined up to my school of choice, and they said it was my SOP that intrigued them, I'd say go ahead. It's what makes YOU unique compared to the millions of other people applying. Your story adds diversity. But that's just my two cents.

This is what I put on my application: "I want to unearth the best method to implement college preparation into standardized curriculum for every grade starting with Kindergarten. I want to know how early introduction of college preparation and life skills will affect not only a child's self-efficacy, but their determination and readiness to attend college as well." Good luck to you!

Update 12/22: Director of USC's PhD program just emailed me last night. She says she thinks I'm a very good fit for the program and she wants to talk on the phone tonight! OMG!!! ><'' Fingers crossed. Wish me luck! (Wasn't aware USC had interviews? O.o?!)

Hi there! Schools: HGSE, SUSE, USC Program: EdD/PhD Higher Education and Urban Ed Policy Good luck everyone!

Hi there! I've applied for the HGSE Higher Ed EdD (and EdM if I don't get in lol). Nervous. 3.5 months is a long time to wait. Ack ><'' Also applying to a similar program at SUSE, and the Urban Ed Policy PhD at USC. Starting to regret not applying to more schools, but fingers crossed something will come through.

My fiancé and I have been together for 5 years now, and last year was our first year apart. It was rough because I missed him so much, but both of us were getting our Masters from different institutions, and we both know this is what we wanted and needed for our careers in order to better support our future family together. We're both applying for our doctorates this year, and will hope that after two years apart, we will finally be closer to one another. However, if we have to spend another 4-5 years apart, it's knowing that we are both deeply invested in one another, and want the same future together that keeps us strong. Not going to lie, it's rough, but it's doable. If you have questions or need advice or even a listening ear, I'm here.

Hi there! I couldn't find a forum that was dedicated for the Fall 2011 applications for Education Doctorates in 2012, so here it is! I really hope this will be a good place for mutual questions and support, as we all know this process is never an easy one! Anyway, to start things off, here are my specs. Feel free to ask me any questions that you may have, or just to stop by and say a quick hi! Undergraduate Institution: UC San Diego Masters Institution: MAT@USC, U of M Certification GPA: Undergraduate - 3.01, Graduate - 4.0 GRE: Verbal: 640, Quantitative: 800, Writing: 5.0 Work Experience: 2 years as a Teach for America corps member in Detroit; MS summer school teacher in Chicago public schools, ESL teacher in San Jose summer school Certifications: Secondary ELA, Secondary Science, Biology, Elementary Education Research Experience: 4 years undergraduate biology research; 1 professional publication Applying for: EdD and PhD programs Schools Applied: Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, USC, UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine Good luck everyone!

We're both in the same boat. I start my 2nd year of TFA, and I'd say you've got a much stronger application than I do with your extra years of experience. But I'm also looking to apply for Harvard and Stanford's PhD/EdD programs. Maybe I'm reaching too high? Worth the shot I suppose. Here are my specs since you shared yours... GRE Score: Verbal: 560 (retaking tomorrow, so will hopefully be higher), Quantitative: 800, Writing: 5.5 GPA: Undergrad- 3.0, Grad- 4.0 Work Experience: 2 years as TFA corps member at low-performing public school in Detroit, Middle school English and Math teacher in Chicago public summer schools and ESL teacher in San Jose summer school, 4 years of independent biology research Undergrad Institution: UC San Diego Masters Institution: MAT@USC Research Experience: 4 years of independent undergraduate biology research Applying for PhD or Masters: Ph.D Program: Educational Policy and Leadership, Urban Education What Schools Are You Applying To: Harvard, Stanford, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Columbia, USC, Cornell Good luck everyone! Here's to Fall 2012 applications.