Teachers College at Columbia University

[higherEdGuy]

Hello all. I am new to this site and since I have joined there has been a tremendous sense of relief due to the community I feel here. I am only applying to Teachers College at Columbia University for Higher and Postsecondary education M.A. program. Now I would like to relieve some much need stress. I want to tell you how this experience has been for me. I haven't had the opportunity to speak candidly about this to anyone so here it goes.

I recently graduated from college in Aug 09. I have worked for the university that I went to undergrad for about 4 years (Wrote for the school paper, tutored for the university writing center, worked as an assistant in the office of admission) and after graduation I obtained a professional position. This is what I feel beyond anything else makes me an ideal candidate for this degree. What worries me however is my undergrad GPA. I only achieved a 3.1, which to me is not horrible its just kind of "blah." It was not due to lack of effort, but more situational things wherein I had to take care of my younger sibling while in school, so I was a little pressed for time because in addition to the jobs I listed above I also worked at Publix part time. And to be honest I didn't even make many bad grades mainly just four. 3 C's and one D in my sophomore year. I did graduate college in 3 years. I wasn’t trying to rush but my mom got sick and my grandfather was ill and I was afraid they wouldn’t have the opportunity to see me finish so I kicked it up a notch and took extreme course loads (dumb I know) but I do not regret it because there was purpose behind it. Both people are fine now and hopefully will see me all the way to my PhD or EdD.

What I had hoped to do was convey this in my personal statement without sounding like I am giving excuses, instead merely telling the truth. I am a first generation college student and I am also black. These two aspects have also played a large role in my life because I live in a very southern place and attend a VERY Southern institution. Lots of things in my life did not line up in the easiest path, but I would not change it for the world. It has helped me find security in my own ability to be better even in the worst of circumstances. It is also the reason I have come to choose the career that now, hopefully I can get further education in order to pursue.

The program did not require the GRE or even suggest that you take it. So I was left to my personal statement, resume, LOR's, and A 15pg writing sample. My LOR's are sparkling, I got two from english professors who adore me and pushed me to go to grad school in the first place. And another form my current employer who also is crazy about education, she was over the moon when I told her I wanted to get a M.A. A letter was also sent by an alumnus that I am close to. I did not ask her to write it so I don’t think it is a part of my application, but she said it couldn’t hurt. My resume is only filled with Higher Ed jobs. My writing statement is research that I did on race, mental health and how the two attribute to physical illness, specifically Heart disease, and actually after I wrote this paper the Professor who taught the class asked me if I ever considered going to grad school because of the thorough nature of my research and I got an A so I assume the paper was good. Lastly my personal statement which I worked on for quite some time and felt that it was perfect (at least in the eyes of this beholder).

I visited Teachers College and went to a program specific open house where I was able to me everyone from the major professors (including the Director of Admissions and most of the admission staff who were all graduates of the program) to current program students. They were quiet specific about what they wanted. I took notes and came home and went to work on giving them exactly the kind of specific things that they wanted and by the end I felt that I did the best that I could. They allow for quiet a large personal statement, which worked completely in my advantage because I was able to include everything I wanted to say and also forced me to evaluate myself in an honest light. At first I thought that this entire process was drawn-out and just unnecessary, but the things I have learned about myself and the field I want to be in have been worth all of the effort.

I would like to share my personal statement (or any of my materials) with anyone who is still writing there’s and may need some direction. I do not know if it will help but it may and that’s all I need to know in order to share. Message me hosien88@aim.com. Thanks for reading, sigh that was a lot to get off my shoulders!!!!

[Rudy]

IMHO Teachers College costs too much for a degree that won't pay that much. I especially do not think it is worth it if you plan on staying in the south bc I bet there network is most powerful in the East and Midwest. If I were you I would consider a good southern state school bc it will save you money, and get you the degree that you want....I would suggest focusing your PS on your experience as a first generation college student. Use that topic to discuss what challenges you faced that most other students don't worry about. You could even talk about some reform ideas you have in helping first generation college students. good luck !!!

[higherEdGuy]

IMHO Teachers College costs too much for a degree that won't pay that much. I especially do not think it is worth it if you plan on staying in the south bc I bet there network is most powerful in the East and Midwest. If I were you I would consider a good southern state school bc it will save you money, and get you the degree that you want....I would suggest focusing your PS on your experience as a first generation college student. Use that topic to discuss what challenges you faced that most other students don't worry about. You could even talk about some reform ideas you have in helping first generation college students. good luck !!!

I know the cost but several factors curve the cost. I have a free place to live and I have no intention of returning to the south after I graduate. I do not usually let cost curve me from something I want to do. If that were the case I might never have gone to college in the first place. I have no undergraduate debt and I would gladly welcome a debt that would cause me more joy (me being where I want and doing what I want) than the labor it will cost to pay it back. I am also hoping to maybe get a job at TC or one of the affiliate schools.

[aditi123]

Wow!I actually felt like I was already reading your personal statement here!

I don't see how the GPA could mar your chances.I think you will stand a mighty good chance.Kinda get inspired when I see how hard people have worked to get where they have.Good luck to you!

I have also applied to TC,no news yet.Have you heard anything?

Edited February 19, 2010 by aditi123

[higherEdGuy]

Wow!I actually felt like I was already reading your personal statement here!

I don't see how the GPA could mar your chances.I think you will stand a mighty good chance.Kinda get inspired when I see how hard people have worked to get where they have.Good luck to you!

I have also applied to TC,no news yet.Have you heard anything?

No nothing yet. I think we really will have to wait until March. I looked at the results from last year and I don't see any from my program until the beginning of march:(

[Rudy]

Your right. If you have no undergrad debt getting into a reputable graduate school is a great investment.

Best of luck to you

[BlessedMe]

I know the cost but several factors curve the cost. I have a free place to live and I have no intention of returning to the south after I graduate. I do not usually let cost curve me from something I want to do. If that were the case I might never have gone to college in the first place. I have no undergraduate debt and I would gladly welcome a debt that would cause me more joy (me being where I want and doing what I want) than the labor it will cost to pay it back. I am also hoping to maybe get a job at TC or one of the affiliate schools.

Free place to live!?!?! Awesome, How'd you swing that?

[higherEdGuy]

Free place to live!?!?! Awesome, How'd you swing that?

Interesting Story. I studied abroad in Spain for about 6months and while I was there i met this kid named Steve. His mom came to visit him and we ended up having a great time. When we came back to the U.S. Steve and I became best friends. His mom found out that I wanted to do Higher ed Admin. So she took me to New York with them on their family vacation. She tricked me because what she really wanted to do was show me Teachers College because it was her Alma mater. So obviously I fell in love with the school and thats why I ended up applying. As I was doing my application she sends me a letter and tells me how happy it makes her to know that I might be going to her Alma mater and good luck and all that jazz. At the bottom she writes "P.S. You know how much my husband and I adore you, but what you don't know is what this means for your future in New York. It just so happens that we own several apartments in the city and next August one of them will be yours. Hope this helps." I cried. The end.

[kismetcapitan]

I'd go to TC just for the opportunity to work after school with Geoffrey Canada - his project in Harlem is pure genius, and being at Columbia means that the commute to volunteer at the Harlem Children's Zone would just be a few blocks.

I didn't really find a personal "fit" with TC though, not as closely matched to my needs as a mid-career masters applicant, so that's why I only have one app in at Harvard.

[carolyn_k]

Interesting Story. I studied abroad in Spain for about 6months and while I was there i met this kid named Steve. His mom came to visit him and we ended up having a great time. When we came back to the U.S. Steve and I became best friends. His mom found out that I wanted to do Higher ed Admin. So she took me to New York with them on their family vacation. She tricked me because what she really wanted to do was show me Teachers College because it was her Alma mater. So obviously I fell in love with the school and thats why I ended up applying. As I was doing my application she sends me a letter and tells me how happy it makes her to know that I might be going to her Alma mater and good luck and all that jazz. At the bottom she writes "P.S. You know how much my husband and I adore you, but what you don't know is what this means for your future in New York. It just so happens that we own several apartments in the city and next August one of them will be yours. Hope this helps." I cried. The end.

Aww...my eyes got a little misty just reading this! Congratulations -- I just read your first post, and I truly wish you luck. Some of the experiences you mentioned ring true to me as well, so I really do know how much getting in will mean. Hopefully we'll be in the same classes in September!

[higherEdGuy]

Aww...my eyes got a little misty just reading this! Congratulations -- I just read your first post, and I truly wish you luck. Some of the experiences you mentioned ring true to me as well, so I really do know how much getting in will mean. Hopefully we'll be in the same classes in September!

I called admissions today and I found out that M.A. students are evaluated by the admissions personnel and Ed.M and Ph.d candidates are evaluated by the department. To my understanding there are tons more M.A. students so that might be the reason it takes so long to get a decision if you are M.A.

[dfree86]

TC made my decision (Accepted)available on 22/02/2010. MA (Professional) in Teaching of English was the program. Hopefully they all start coming in soon!

That situation you describe is fantastic, HigherEdGuy. Looking for a roommate if you get in? ; )

[higherEdGuy]

TC made my decision (Accepted)available on 22/02/2010. MA (Professional) in Teaching of English was the program. Hopefully they all start coming in soon!

That situation you describe is fantastic, HigherEdGuy. Looking for a roommate if you get in? ; )

Haha I don't know yet. You should fill out my roommate application and I will probably take two or three months to decide...that is if you get your application in by early decision....I do things in true TC fashion. J/k I love TC I just wish I could know already because the wait gets worse each day.

[Angelicasassy]

Haha I don't know yet. You should fill out my roommate application and I will probably take two or three months to decide...that is if you get your application in by early decision....I do things in true TC fashion. J/k I love TC I just wish I could know already because the wait gets worse each day.

HigherEdGuy- Where in FL are you from? I used to live in Orlando!

[higherEdGuy]

HigherEdGuy- Where in FL are you from? I used to live in Orlando!

I am from Tampa so we are like neighbors.