alliknits

Glad it was helpful! I think only about 6 master's students overall go directly on to PhD programs, but it is possible. Most people work for a year or two before reapplying- if you apply during your Master's the schools really base your admissions decision on the work you did before starting HGSE. I know career services dissuades people from applying right away but, in any case, your advisor will be brutally honest with advice. Also, don't stress about housing! Like any major city, there is no point in looking for a place until the month before you want to move in. When you do look, most of us found housing through craigslist (I recommend using padmapper.com). My friends all live in Central, Porter, or Davis square and we each pay under $900 to live with roommates.

Hi HGSE'ers! Congratulations! I'm a current EPM student and just wrote an email to a perspective student that I thought I'd post it here as well. Please remember these are only my opinions and I'm a sample of one! Hope this information helps someone! The Good - I have learned more in one year than I ever knew possible. - The flexibility. Some people in EPM really want to be school leaders, others want to be policy makers, and some want to be researchers. You can tailor this program to focus on what you want to do. I thought I would be interested in actual policy making but after taking some policy classes in the Fall I realized I kind of hate policy and really love researching the impact of policy. Because the coursework is flexible, I can take all research-y classes this semester. Other people realized they hate research and are taking all policy oriented classes. - Statistics. If you want to work in policy or research in any kind of position you need a strong statistical background (I would argue that school and non-profit leaders should have statistics as well…). HGSE allows you to get light years ahead in statistics. Everyone has to take a quant class and there are two tracks. The first track will give you a basic understanding of statistics in the Fall and an understanding of regression in the Spring (but you don’t have to take the spring class). The other track will get you fast-tracked through regression in the Fall and into more advanced statistical concepts in the Spring. This was a big draw for me. You can leave HGSE capable of being a lead analyst in one year which no other program can give you. This year I’ve completed two years of statistics at Vanderbilt so when I start my program next year I’m way ahead. The Fall stats class in the accelerated track (S40) is super hard but completely worth it. - The faculty. They are really the leaders in their field and I still get a little star-struck when I read amazing studies and realize the author is at HGSE. They are completely willing to work with you anytime and to let you assist with their research, as long as you ask. - The other students. It sounds super cheesy, but I’ve made my best friends ever here. You are surrounded by people who are passionate about education and each person brings a very different perspective. - Connections. It’s gross, but Harvard has taught me that connections matter. Everyone is willing to help you out and a lot of my cohort members are finding jobs through one another and last year’s cohort. Professors are also happy to connect you with past students and job opportunities. - Cambridge/Boston. This has been my favorite place to live ever. Yeah, it gets really cold and snowy but a good jacket makes it all ok. - Free stuff to do. Harvard hosts so many amazing things for students- tonight I’m going to a free Yo Yo Ma concert, I got to see all these famous chefs lecture on food and science, etc. HGSE also has great events- I’ve seen Paul Tough, Joel Klein, and a bunch of other people speak. Also, your student ID gets you into every museum in Boston for free. - Internships/research opportunities. I think this is especially important if you have classroom experience but don’t want to return to the classroom after graduate school. I’ve worked, for pay, this year at a program evaluation firm actually designing and implementing research. Some of my friends have interned at the Center for Education Policy Research and worked on research projects for professors (all paid again). Another friend works at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education. Basically, you can find a million things to do. - Supports. Career services is amazing, the writing center is great, the library has everything…. If you need a support here, they have it. - Jobs. Most of my friends are looking for jobs right now and are having very positive experiences. Some have found analyst and research positions, others are working in policy. Other members of my cohort are going back to the classroom and some are entering into management and leadership positions at charter schools, non-profits, and foundations. You will get an awesome job after completing this program. The Bad - It is a bit snobby. I’ve found some of the faculty to be a bit stuck-up about other schools. But, then again, they are the best in their fields. - Type A-ness. The other students are very, very grade oriented which can get annoying. I find the stress levels at midterms and finals can get out of control. - Time. There are so many awesome opportunities that sometimes I worry I’m not taking advantage of everything. Additionally, if you take a heavy class load you will really be working very hard. This is a one year condensed program and they mean it. I’m sure I’ve learned as much, if not more, than people who chose two year programs. That being said, my friends and I always find time to do something fun. - Expensive! But I think totally worth it. I’m getting a ton of funding for my PhD because of this experience and most of my friends are getting interviews for really amazing jobs. I’m not sure it’s worth it if you’re thinking of going back to the classroom, but for a job in policy or research this program is amazing. - The faculty are very disconnected from one another. Their isn’t much cohesion, HGSE seems to cherry-pick faculty based on accomplishments rather than philosophical fit. - No thesis. I actually think this is good. The final papers for classes were more rigorous than some master’s thesis requirements. If you want to do original research and submit it for publication, you can.

I ended up finding a Day's Inn for $103. It doesn't have great reviews but I have pretty low standards Looks about a mile from campus so I'll take the bus or walk. Thanks!

Aww! Thanks! That is incredibly generous and I may need to take you up on it. I'm trying to see if I could possibly stay with a random friend of a friend. I had no idea hotels would be so much!

Hi Folks! Congratulations! I was wondering if anyone is attending the open house at the end of the month and wanted to share a hotel room? I feel a little creepy doing this but I'm trying to get back into poor student mode... I'm planning on staying Thursday and Friday nights. Anyone interested?