Ed_Doc

The $62k cost of attendance includes *estimated* costs for lodging, food, and recreation, no? I am a HGSE EdM alumn (07) and finishing my second year of the EdD program there, and it's my opinion that the cost-of-living estimates they give are quite conservative. You can find housing and control your food and recreations budgets in such a way to cut it drastically. I did much the same my EdM year...I lived in a small shared apartment in Alston, just over the river, and I can't tell you how many nights I ate ramen noodles and/or hot dogs for dinner. It was all worth it, in the end, as I didn't have to take out any extra loans.

The admissions Dean will tell you early and often: live like a student. As long as Harvard's package covers tuition and fees, I would be inclined to say "tighten your belt and go for it."

Hi all! I’m a double HGSE alumnus (masters mid 2000s and doctorate mid 2010s), and just wanted to wish everyone luck! I am a professor at a large state university now, but I very vividly remember checking these boards once upon an application season. 
I also wanted to encourage you all to diversify your application portfolio as much as possible. I obviously think HGSE is amazing, and I enjoyed my time as a student and adjunct there...but it’s not for everyone. The pace is fast and the pressure can be quite intense!
You’ll find the right fit somewhere. Good luck!

Hi all! I’m a double HGSE alumnus (masters mid 2000s and doctorate mid 2010s), and just wanted to wish everyone luck! I am a professor at a large state university now, but I very vividly remember checking these boards once upon an application season. 
I also wanted to encourage you all to diversify your application portfolio as much as possible. I obviously think HGSE is amazing, and I enjoyed my time as a student and adjunct there...but it’s not for everyone. The pace is fast and the pressure can be quite intense!
You’ll find the right fit somewhere. Good luck!

Hello everyone!
Excited to be on this journey with you all. Been watching this forum for while. I applied a few years ago to HGSE, but unfortunately was not accepted. Hopefully the news will be better this time around. ?
Program/Concentration: SSP
GRE Score: V: 158, Q: 156, AW: 4.0 (just got the scores back from taking the test in mid-Nov)
GPA: Undergrad: 3.2, Grad: ~3.5 (from two master's degrees and a few other classes here and there)
Work Experience: Several years working research (some in biomedical, some in education). One year as an editorial assistant on a journal. Currently working as a data analyst at a university.
Undergrad/Grad Institution (Public, Private, Ivy, etc..): Undergrad: Public,  Grad: 1 Private, 1 Public
Research Experience: Several years of research in various areas. About15 or so presentations at various regional/national conferences over the years. A handful of publications (mix of both peer-reviewed journal articles and book/monograph chapters, though only one of these as the first author). Currently working on a couple of independent research projects with my current data analyst work that should wrap up by this summer.
LoR/SoP: 2 from former faculty members (both from grad school), one from former colleague that I have worked with, done research with, and presented with multiple times at conferences.
What Other Schools Are You Applying To: It is HGSE or bust for me.
I looked over the different programs at HGSE, and while what I want to study and work on could kinda fit in with a couple of the programs they have, I think the Specialized Studies Program is ideal for me to dive in what I really want to explore. Such an amazing opportunity!
Best of luck to us all as we tackle this journey together!

Hi all! I’m a double HGSE alumnus (masters mid 2000s and doctorate mid 2010s), and just wanted to wish everyone luck! I am a professor at a large state university now, but I very vividly remember checking these boards once upon an application season. 
I also wanted to encourage you all to diversify your application portfolio as much as possible. I obviously think HGSE is amazing, and I enjoyed my time as a student and adjunct there...but it’s not for everyone. The pace is fast and the pressure can be quite intense!
You’ll find the right fit somewhere. Good luck!

Hi all! I’m a double HGSE alumnus (masters mid 2000s and doctorate mid 2010s), and just wanted to wish everyone luck! I am a professor at a large state university now, but I very vividly remember checking these boards once upon an application season. 
I also wanted to encourage you all to diversify your application portfolio as much as possible. I obviously think HGSE is amazing, and I enjoyed my time as a student and adjunct there...but it’s not for everyone. The pace is fast and the pressure can be quite intense!
You’ll find the right fit somewhere. Good luck!

The $62k cost of attendance includes *estimated* costs for lodging, food, and recreation, no? I am a HGSE EdM alumn (07) and finishing my second year of the EdD program there, and it's my opinion that the cost-of-living estimates they give are quite conservative. You can find housing and control your food and recreations budgets in such a way to cut it drastically. I did much the same my EdM year...I lived in a small shared apartment in Alston, just over the river, and I can't tell you how many nights I ate ramen noodles and/or hot dogs for dinner. It was all worth it, in the end, as I didn't have to take out any extra loans.

The admissions Dean will tell you early and often: live like a student. As long as Harvard's package covers tuition and fees, I would be inclined to say "tighten your belt and go for it."

Err...yes. You could also ignore my first hand observations and follow this advice...

I see a lot of advice here about gathering "research experience", but I question the efficacy of doing so if you are pursuing a Masters in Higher Education, especially given your geographic restrictions. The three big questions to address in your SOP are:

1) How do your strenghts line up with those of the program to which you are applying? (Be explicit! Mention possible advisors by name...do your homework!)

2) How will your experiences contribute to the learning community? (Again, be explicit!)

3) How will you use your degree in, say, five to ten years? (If it's mostly administrative, then research experience won't really be applicable.)

Be safe, and good luck!

Hi all,

I am a graduate of Ewha Women's Univesity in Seoul, and I did my undergraduate degree in International Studies. I have only set my goal in education in my last year of university, and I have no record of taking a class regarding education.

My primary goal is to study inter-cultural education, which could relate to my undergrad background, as well as my work experience of teaching at private institutions.
On the otherhand, some of my friends are telling me I should study communications for masters degree first(since it will be more relateable to my debating career as well as undergrad degree), get good GPA there, then so Ph.D in education in a school with a good name to make up for the late entry into the field of education.

This seems to make sense, but I'm worried whether it mighy even be feasible to get accepted into a Ph.D program in education without any background on education to that point. Anyone with a similar experience? And do you reckon my friend's advice is worth considering?