hitomimay

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

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.

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.

I'm a current Harvard Ed.D student. Based on your backgrounds, I think you are both in a good position to be able to apply. It is particularly important, though, to carefully consider your motivation for graduate study: what questions resulted from your experiences in schools?; what do you think is missing? You need to be able to carefully present your work experiences in a way which shows admissions committees that that are burning questions that you wan't answered.

And, contrary to blithe's comments, I wouldn't be put off if you've only had 2 years TFA experience. I only had two years teaching experience and was successful (although admittedly, I had done a Masters and some research doing my MA and undergrad). There is a real range of experiences. Having only 2 years experience might just mean that you have to work a little harder to demonstrate your expertise.

Hope that's helpful