ay761

I was also rejected from all (4) Education PhD programs I applied to. While I briefly contemplated taking a year off, re-taking the GREs, focusing solely on my applications and applying to 10 schools rather than 4, I think I have decided to pursue a masters degree instead. Who knows, maybe I will find that the professional world suits me better....or I will be better equipped to reapply for PhDs 2 years down the road (though I will be 31 at that point...). I spent about $1200 dollars on the GRE alone -- didn't even take a prep course, just bought a few books, but it cost that much just for test registration fees... boat ticket fees... plane ticket fees... plus hotel fees.

No problem! That's weird, she just told me today that there aren't any available yet... but maybe it varies by program.

Rosie is the person who told me about my Dean's Tuition Scholarship. But she doesn't have any information on endowed scholarships, and said those would be coming out separately sometime over the next week. About GAs - I heard that they would start interviewing people for Special Ed GAs in late may / early June. And I also heard that they weren't interviewing for other possibilities earlier than that. What GA positions are you applying for - and how are you finding out about them?

Maybe you should go ahead and ask them - I contacted someone and they responded with, "You should be receiving a letter soon informing you that you received the Dean's Tuition Scholarship."

Actually I got an email saying I would receive a separate notice from the office of financial aid later this week. I wonder if that is for scholarships too or just for work study / loans.. hmm.

I was also admitted to Columbia for the International Comparative Education program (just checked the website after reading your post - thanks!) How did you hear about the scholarship - was it in your acceptance letter posted online?

Feel free to debate the pros and cons of both here - I'm interested in hearing what people have to say about the programs. I didn't apply to the MA at Harvard, only the Ed.D... partly because I felt the MA would just be too expensive for me at the end of the day (but also, more importantly, because I heard there would be a greater chance I would be deferred to the MA program rather than accepted to Ed.D if I checked the box). There are many aid opportunities available at vanderbilt and the cost of living is lower. And for me at least, the program is longer at Vanderbilt (IEPM) - 2 years as opposed to 1 year, and I really like the flexibility that gives me in taking courses that prepare me professionally but also allows me to explore my academic interests more thoroughly if I want to reapply for PhDs afterwards. I know what you mean about the name though... I am kind of regretting not applying for the MA at Harvard, and wondering if I will be tempted by Columbia or UCLA if I get accepted to those, even though I'm pretty sure I'd be paying considerably more. It scares me a little that Vanderbilt doesn't seem to be well known internationally, especially since I am doing an International Education program.

Thanks for the info, and congrats on HSGE!

Congrats on the assistantship! Is there some sort of database or something where you can look at the assistantship opportunities.. or do you just email professors / Rosie Moody etc.and ask what opportunities are available?

I still haven't heard from ICE either. I think all the decisions come out at different times, depending on area of focus.

iphi - did you get an email? I also applied for the phd... no word still!

Thanks. Yeah, I've read the posts you are talking about, though they all seemed to be from the same poster - though that poster did make a couple of convincing arguments. When you say "if you want to work in DC you have to be in DC," is it not possible to move there after and then find a job? Or do you mean you should be educated in DC if you expect to live there?

I'm also waiting to hear about aid (for the IEPM program)! Will post if I receive any info.

Can I ask what you guys think of the IEPM program at Vanderbilt? I noticed it often gets looked over in threads such as these. Is it not very reputable? It seems like the best option for me because it is 2 years, and you can gain a lot of practical and academic experience. It would give me a chance to explore my academic interests and possibly re-apply for PhDs (was rejected this time around) and also explore some professional options. But I am wondering how the program is viewed both academically and professionally... it seems hard to obtain information about this. Whatever I do afterwards, I definitely want to live on the east or west coast... would it make more sense then to go to a program like UCLA or Columbia?

I haven't heard anything either.... and I heard that results should be coming either this week or next week, so I think we are still in the game!

I have a cat... so that takes care of that. Student housing would be nice...

iphi it was posted on feb 12th - I overlooked it as well. If you search for 'Berkeley' and 'Language' it will come up. I'm actually not sure about the separate / together thing.... let's just assume they are separate and hope for the best! If you are applying for SCS, that is.

I saw someone was accepted to the LLC PhD program at Berkeley. Would you mind letting me know how you were notified / if you are aware if all acceptances have gone out? I applied to the SCS program... I think they are combined now, but it's possible they are sending out acceptances separately.

applicantseeksPhD - did you think the TC program prepared you / helped your application for PhD programs significantly? Were you able to build good relationships with professors, receive guidance in publishing, etc.? I have applied to a mixture of PhD programs and MA programs (including TC -I've already been accepted into the Peabody IEPM program, but no word from TC or PhD programs yet). If I don't get into a PhD program, I'm debating over whether it would be worth it to do an MA at TC, Peabody or UCLA and then reapply for PhDs..... or just take another year off, try to get published and increase GRE scores and reapply next year. I already have years of international work / teaching experience.

I'm dying to hear from Berkeley (SCS program), my first choice (PhD). If anyone has heard from them - even about a different program in Education, please do let me know!

It's ok I got a good laugh out of it too. At least I know that faculty research interests weren't as good of a match there as they are at harvard and berkeley, but still... it makes me worry about my future prospects...

I love how there's an option to share my rejection e-mail from stanford on facebook -

よかった、日本語で話しましょう、笑。おめでとう！ 今日本に住んでいますか？

EW33 - was your first choice the Harvard EdD? I applied too so that's why I am wondering. Congrats!!

If anyone goes to the open day at Vanderbilt and has any information they would like to share, it would be greatly appreciated (I can't go because I live overseas). I am also interested in getting in contact with current students, too. I got accepted to the International Education Policy and Management program. Thanks, and congrats to everyone!