HGSE 2026

[Marky]

I've been hoping someone would start the HGSE thread here, but PUMPED to start it myself! I'm feeling all kinds of thoughts, feeling, and emotions about even the possibility of applying to HGSE. I'm hoping that this thread will be a good way to meet one another as we apply this year.

I really love what @Here2Teach used to kick-off the thread last year, and I'm borrowing that information to start things off this year. I did notice a couple of the links are not working now, and have tried to update them.

HGSE Basic Info

• School Website | Degree Programs | Admission Info | Financial Aid
• Introduce Yourself | Upcoming Events | Virtual Campus Tour | Connect
• Recorded Webinars (lots of great info on admission tips, international students, student life, career & alumni, Ed.M. vs. Doctorate program, student chats etc.)
• Faculty Directory by Area of Expertise

Admission Stats

• GC applicant admission data from 2013-2025 (huge thanks to @graciasadios and @mjsmith for compiling)
• Student body breakdown (2024-2025 entering class data)

HGSE Publications

• Ed. Magazine | EdCast (Weekly Podcast) | Usable Knowledge (Relevant Research)

[Jim VK]

Thanks for starting this thread! Great information all in one spot.

Good luck if you apply! Don't forget to submit your survey here when you hear back. The results are shown on the HGSE admission results page.

[Marky]

Thank you @Jim VK! I didn't know about this survey here, and I definitely will fill it out once I hear in the spring.

[KellyKat]

Currently in the OEL program (grad in may), now applying for the PH.D program CIS concentration.  

 

I think it's hard to understand the statistics for HGSE, since all of their PH.D programs officially let's go through GSAS instead, even though the classes you take will be through HGSE.

 

Just a heads up why the statistics change vastly from source to source.  Technically, only in the master's programs and the doctor of educational leadership ( which isn't running this year.) are fully HGSE.  

[Marky]

On 8/10/2025 at 5:44 PM, KellyKat said:

Currently in the OEL program (grad in may), now applying for the PH.D program CIS concentration.  

 

I think it's hard to understand the statistics for HGSE, since all of their PH.D programs officially let's go through GSAS instead, even though the classes you take will be through HGSE.

 

Just a heads up why the statistics change vastly from source to source.  Technically, only in the master's programs and the doctor of educational leadership ( which isn't running this year.) are fully HGSE.  

@KellyKat Thank you for sharing this! As I have been looking around, I had noticed the statistics I could find on HGSE....if I could find them at all....seemed to be all over the place. I didn't know the doctor of educational leadership wasn't running this year. Do you have any insider information why this happened?

[KellyKat]

On 9/20/2025 at 11:55 AM, Marky said:

@KellyKat Thank you for sharing this! As I have been looking around, I had noticed the statistics I could find on HGSE....if I could find them at all....seemed to be all over the place. I didn't know the doctor of educational leadership wasn't running this year. Do you have any insider information why this happened?

I know they are restructuring it.  (Verified)

 

I suspect it might be to have a hybrid verison as well where you can study residentially and then use a current employer for the practium but that is purely my guess.  

[Marky]

On 10/11/2025 at 9:08 AM, KellyKat said:

I know they are restructuring it.  (Verified)

 

I suspect it might be to have a hybrid verison as well where you can study residentially and then use a current employer for the practium but that is purely my guess.  

Thank you for the insider info!

[KellyKat]

Only 2 days until the Ph.D applications are due... starting to stress it hard.  

[luckysolucky]

Hey all! I just submitted my application to UC Berkeley, but HGSE is my first choice so I'm excited to find this forum. I liked the introduction format from last years thread, so here's mine: 

Program/Concentration: M.Ed in LDIT, concentration in Arts and Learning
GRE: N/A
Work experience: About 4 years. I worked throughout undergrad for youth development nonprofits, and I have been program coordinator for an arts education org these past two years after graduation
Undergrad: BS in Psychology
Undergrad GPA: 3.7
Research: None
LORs: 1 from a writing professor I was close with, 1 from my Learning and Motivation professor I'm not really close to, and one from my current supervisor who loves me
Other info: I did my undergrad in Boston and lived there for 5 years if anyone has questions about the city. I'm also apply to UC Berkeley, Northwestern, UPenn, and University College London if anyone wants to discuss those programs.

Good luck to everyone! I'm so nervous and excited for March!

[KellyKat]

Submitted Yesterday


Program/Concentration: PhD in CIS (culture, institutions, and society) 
GRE: no
Work experience: 15 Years in Education (US and abroad), currently teaching high school and graduate students 
Undergrad: BS in communications & English literature 
Undergrad GPA: 3.4
Graduate School: M.Ed., University of the People (3.9), Ed.M (in progress, May 2026) HGSE- OEL (4.0)
Research: Master's capstone, and will be doing a small project in the spring (very small project) 
LORs: 2 from HGSE professors (one is a chair), one from a supervisor at the HE institution where I work part-time, one from an established education writer in my field, and one from a peer in my current program (talking about how I have helped others learn). 

Other:  Speak at conferences, featured in publications 

[Marky]

Program/Concentration: Ed.M. in Education Leadership, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship, concentration in Higher Education
GRE: N/A
Work experience: Worked part-time all throughout underage. I've done a couple of internships in offices on my campus as well.
Undergrad: BA in History, minor in psychology.
Undergrad GPA: 3.52....I'm finishing up in Spring 2026, so this likely will change a bit.
Research: None
LORs: 1 from a history professor that I am doing my capstone paper with, 1 from a psychology professor I have had three classes with, and 1 from an internship supervisor.
Other info: I am applying right out of undergrad, so I feel like my lack of previous experience may have me at a disadvantage. I am just going to cross my fingers, do my best, and hope for the best.  

Thank you @luckysolucky and @KellyKat for reminding us about the posting introduction stuff from prior years! I'm excited to get to know everyone on this journey!

Edited December 8, 2025 by Marky
a couple of small typos

[KellyKat]

37 minutes ago, Marky said:

Program/Concentration: Ed.M. in Education Leadership, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship, concentration in Higher Education
GRE: N/A
Work experience: Worked part-time all throughout underage. I've done a couple of internships in offices on my campus as well.
Undergrad: BA in History, minor in psychology.
Undergrad GPA: 3.52....I'm finishing up in Spring 2026, so this likely will change a bit.
Research: None
LORs: 1 from a history professor that I am doing my capstone paper with, 1 from a psychology professor I have had three classes with, and 1 from an internship supervisor.
Other info: I am applying right out of undergrad, so I feel like my lack of previous experience may have me at a disadvantage. I am just going to cross my fingers, do my best, and hope for the best.  

Thank you @luckysolucky and @KellyKat for reminding us about the posting introduction stuff from prior years! I'm excited to get to know everyone on this journey!

HGSE follows a cohort model, meaning that if they think you would be an asset for the group, you will be admitted even though there is something (like a lack of experience that you mentioned) that lowers your odds statistically.  My advice, given that you are newly graduated and have a strong but not profound GPA, is that you use your application to help the team really get to know who you are, both academically and in lived experience.  Show them the wisdom you will bring to your cohort and the passion you have for the future of education.  From what I have heard, this year is a good one for master's programs, and most schools (around the country, not Harvard specifically) will be taking more master's students and fewer PhD students.    Good luck. 

[Marky]

10 hours ago, KellyKat said:

HGSE follows a cohort model, meaning that if they think you would be an asset for the group, you will be admitted even though there is something (like a lack of experience that you mentioned) that lowers your odds statistically.  My advice, given that you are newly graduated and have a strong but not profound GPA, is that you use your application to help the team really get to know who you are, both academically and in lived experience.  Show them the wisdom you will bring to your cohort and the passion you have for the future of education.  From what I have heard, this year is a good one for master's programs, and most schools (around the country, not Harvard specifically) will be taking more master's students and fewer PhD students.    Good luck. 

@KellyKat THANK YOU for this advise and feedback! I will absolutely do that as I am fine tuning my statement of purpose and application in general.

[mjsmith]

On 11/30/2025 at 7:38 PM, luckysolucky said:

Hey all! I just submitted my application to UC Berkeley, but HGSE is my first choice so I'm excited to find this forum. I liked the introduction format from last years thread, so here's mine: 

Program/Concentration: M.Ed in LDIT, concentration in Arts and Learning
GRE: N/A
Work experience: About 4 years. I worked throughout undergrad for youth development nonprofits, and I have been program coordinator for an arts education org these past two years after graduation
Undergrad: BS in Psychology
Undergrad GPA: 3.7
Research: None
LORs: 1 from a writing professor I was close with, 1 from my Learning and Motivation professor I'm not really close to, and one from my current supervisor who loves me
Other info: I did my undergrad in Boston and lived there for 5 years if anyone has questions about the city. I'm also apply to UC Berkeley, Northwestern, UPenn, and University College London if anyone wants to discuss those programs.

Good luck to everyone! I'm so nervous and excited for March!

 

On 12/2/2025 at 6:22 PM, KellyKat said:

Submitted Yesterday


Program/Concentration: PhD in CIS (culture, institutions, and society) 
GRE: no
Work experience: 15 Years in Education (US and abroad), currently teaching high school and graduate students 
Undergrad: BS in communications & English literature 
Undergrad GPA: 3.4
Graduate School: M.Ed., University of the People (3.9), Ed.M (in progress, May 2026) HGSE- OEL (4.0)
Research: Master's capstone, and will be doing a small project in the spring (very small project) 
LORs: 2 from HGSE professors (one is a chair), one from a supervisor at the HE institution where I work part-time, one from an established education writer in my field, and one from a peer in my current program (talking about how I have helped others learn). 

Other:  Speak at conferences, featured in publications 

 

On 12/8/2025 at 9:44 AM, Marky said:

Program/Concentration: Ed.M. in Education Leadership, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship, concentration in Higher Education
GRE: N/A
Work experience: Worked part-time all throughout underage. I've done a couple of internships in offices on my campus as well.
Undergrad: BA in History, minor in psychology.
Undergrad GPA: 3.52....I'm finishing up in Spring 2026, so this likely will change a bit.
Research: None
LORs: 1 from a history professor that I am doing my capstone paper with, 1 from a psychology professor I have had three classes with, and 1 from an internship supervisor.
Other info: I am applying right out of undergrad, so I feel like my lack of previous experience may have me at a disadvantage. I am just going to cross my fingers, do my best, and hope for the best.  

Thank you @luckysolucky and @KellyKat for reminding us about the posting introduction stuff from prior years! I'm excited to get to know everyone on this journey!

Hey all! I will make sure to update the running document that @graciasadios started (and that @Marky tagged in the first post here) with information from folks accepted to HGSE after decisions come out in the Spring. Good luck to everyone!

[ManuS]

Applied at the end of November. Very anxious for any news about it. 

Program/Concentration: PhD - CIS (culture, institutions, and society) 
GRE: no
Work experience: 10 Years in Education (International), currently teaching early childhood education, working as a leader teacher and mentor to new teachers
Undergrad: BS in Education and in Languages
Undergrad GPA: 3.68 / 3.78
Graduate School: M.A. in Languages (4.0)
Research: Book chapter, 2 Internationally indexed papers, several international conference papers 
LORs: 3 from professors that worked with me across my undergrad and master’s.

Other: worked as a TA for an undergrad course for 1 year. 

[IrfanKhan]

I have also applied to this concentration as International Student. Let's see!! 

[applejolly]

Hi everyone! I’m applying to HGSE this year and have completed every part of my application except the video response. To be honest, I’m feeling quite nervous about this section. Although I’m confident in my English (I scored an 8.5 on the IELTS speaking module), the recorded format feels a bit daunting. Could anyone share the prompts they encountered or suggest specific topics I should prepare for? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[luckysolucky]

Just submitted my application! My fee was waived even though I didn't request a waiver. Did this happen to anyone else?

[jtp617]

Is this the only 2026 forum so far? For any school? Just finished applications for Master's program in policy and was wondering if anyone knew when decisions came back last year? For HGSE, Stanford, University of Washington, and Boston University.

[Marky]

On 1/4/2026 at 6:41 PM, luckysolucky said:

Just submitted my application! My fee was waived even though I didn't request a waiver. Did this happen to anyone else?

Submitting mine Monday morning. Crossing out fingers for both of us and everyone else in this thread.

[Marky]

On 1/6/2026 at 12:21 PM, jtp617 said:

Is this the only 2026 forum so far? For any school? Just finished applications for Master's program in policy and was wondering if anyone knew when decisions came back last year? For HGSE, Stanford, University of Washington, and Boston University.

Hi @jtp617! This thread if for folks applying to HGSE for this upcoming fall. I can only speak for HGSE, but looking over past threads here it looks like Ed.M. decisions come out the first Monday in March. I'm hoping it will be the same this year.

Edited January 8 by Marky

[KellyKat]

On 1/6/2026 at 12:21 PM, jtp617 said:

Is this the only 2026 forum so far? For any school? Just finished applications for Master's program in policy and was wondering if anyone knew when decisions came back last year? For HGSE, Stanford, University of Washington, and Boston University.

Historically, Master's announcements from HGSE have come on the first Friday of March (but strangely, in 2023 it was Monday).  I applied for the Fall 2024 cycle and received my acceptance on March 08, 2024 (Friday).  I got mine around noon, but some people got them later in the day.    You might have noticed it technically was the second Friday of the month.... so .... it's not a perfect science. You will receive an email telling you to check the portal.  The year I went in 2024, it was said that if you got in, the email said that, and if you didn't, it had you check the portal.  That was NOT TRUE for me. I almost didn't check because I was so sure I was denied, so make sure to actually check, no matter what people tell you.  

Usually, they don't do interviews for Master's, so when all the Ph.D. candidates are talking about whether they got an interview or not, don't freak out. That is for the Ph.D.  The Ph.D results will come out before yours, so don't let that throw you off either.  

I am on this board because I am hoping to pursue a Ph.D.! I love the master's program I did, but it was OEL, so there is a big difference (same date for acceptance letters, though).  The programs tend to be at different times of the day, but all on the same day for HGSE Masters.    

Edited January 9 by KellyKat

[KellyKat]

On 1/4/2026 at 6:41 PM, luckysolucky said:

Just submitted my application! My fee was waived even though I didn't request a waiver. Did this happen to anyone else?

Yes I actually emailed them about it and they couldn't override it.  It comes from the demographic info near the beginning.  I had a pell grant when I was in undergrad so I was waived even though I did my undergrad 20 years ago.  

[KellyKat]

I think we all on pins and needles right now... so lets add a bit of levitivity.  

Lets guess the date interview requests will START comming out for the Ph.D program!  (I put start because it appears they do sometimes trickle over a few days).  

My guess is January 19, 2026  

[Apple Sheila]

Anyone hear anything about interviews?