Advice for EdM Applicants

Testing.

Testing.

Greetings from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and thank you for your interest in our Masters programs. My name is Leah Belcher and I'm joined by my colleague, Palo Munoz. We're going to talk to you about the application requirements for Masters programs and give you some advice on how each component is going to be evaluated.

Here's our agenda like I said, We're going to go over the application requirements. Talk a little bit about the statement of purpose standardized test letters of recommendation transcript and supporting materials.

So we'll begin with the application requirements. The online application form is located on our website and that's the 1st place to start you must submit a statement of purpose resume or CV, GRE scores in the tofel or eilts if applicable.

Transcripts from all post secondary institutions. You have attended 3 letters of recommendation in the application fee.

There are some idiom programs that have additional requirements. Those are listed here. You can find those specific instructions on our website and in the application instructions. The deadline to submit all these materials is January 5th at 11:59 PM. Eastern Standard Time to be more specific.

Decisions will then be released in March.

So let's talk a little bit more about the statement of purpose.

The statement of purpose is a part of a holistic admissions process and it gives us the opportunity to get to know you a little bit better. It allows us to learn about how you've arrived where you are today and how that impacted your intellectual and professional goals were looking for you to demonstrate why this specific program is the right fit for you and how it will ultimately help you achieve your long term goals. Our hope is that you will take the time to reflect on how you arrived and what you want to achieve with an HD SD degree.

The statement of purpose is not meant to rehash your resume or your transcript. We're not looking for you to explain any prior academic performance. It's also not be it meant to be a general statement that you could use for other programs.

Your statement of purpose is meant to tie all of your other application materials together and ultimately tell a story.

The statement of purpose is 1500 words maximum and that should be typed in double spaced.

It's important to remember that, your statement of purpose is also a writing sample.

This is your opportunity to tell us why you're passionate about education and what you want to accomplish with this degree and how you want to impact the field of Education.

These are the statements that are the most effective in impactful to a committee so we advise you to take your time and generally examine these questions.

Here's just some general advice, so the number one would be to start early.

As I mentioned previously the most impactful statement of purpose really have really self reflected on their career and how HTC can help you make a bigger impact in education in the future. It's also very important that your statement be in your voice.

You'll probably have several drafts during this process and that's entirely normal. I encourage you to have other folks help you in the editing process. Ask people that you trust colleagues and friends to give you honest critiques into read your statement during the drafting process. This feedback will help you make the final product sound like you an relay that message to the committee.

At the end of the day, we're trying to get to know you better and we're trying to assess the fit between you and the program you replied.

There's a clear distinction here between a statement of purpose in a college essay were expecting you to be a more purposeful about what your goals are how you got to where you are in time that altogether.

Additionally, there are 2 programs that have some additional statement of purpose requirements, the child advocacy strand within the human development in psychology program and the teacher education program.

You can find those instructions at the link listed here and in the application instructions.

With that I'm going to pass it over to my colleague, Paola to tell us a little bit more about the other application components.

Hello this is Paula next. I want to shift gears and talk a little bit more about our standardized test requirements to start a soft the GRE.

All applicants are required to take the GRE general test for individuals. They have taken this test in the past your scores must be from test taken on or after February 1st 2015.

For individuals taking the test for the first time or those wanting to retake it. You must do so by no later than early December as it can take 2 to 3 weeks for scores to be delivered. Please be sure to use the HTC Institution code for the GRE which is 3428.

As for some tips on the diari be sure to familiarize yourself with both the test instructions and the types of questions on the test. So you don't spend too much time doing so during the actual exam. This will allow you more time to work through the questions. It just to feel more comfortable overall as you go into each section.

We also encourage you to schedule time to review the concepts being tested and it takes some time practice test. There are several free resources on line to practice such as the freak. GRE test prep software at www.ets.org that you have access to when you sign up for the test.

The next standardized requirement is for individuals whose native language is not English and their bachelors degree is from an institution where English was not the sole language of instruction. If this is the case for you, you must submit either to florile scores with your application. Unfortunately graduate study does not accept individuals from this requirement.

Test scores for either of these tests must be from test taken on or after February 1st 2018.

For those planning to schedule time to take either of these you must do so by no later than early December again. It can take 2 to 3 weeks to get these test scores delivered to us.

The HTC Institution code for the tofu is 3428 and there is no code for the Isles.

Finally, H he prefers applicants with scores of 104 or higher on the Internet. Internet based Toefl with individual section scores in the reading writing listening and Speaking of at least 26.

The preferred minimum for the Isles for academic purposes is 7.5 with individual section scores of at least 7.5.

Now I want to talk in a little bit more about the lives of recommendation and offer some advice. Here, the best letters of recommendation come from individuals that know you will and have interacted with you in different capacities, not necessarily from individuals, who hold prestigious titles in know very little about you. Ideally, you want to choose individuals who address both your academic abilities and your experience or potential as an educator.

When approaching a recommender we advise that you asked if they have time to write you a strong recommendation. This is a busy time of year for many intervention individuals and you also want to give them plenty of time to work on your letter of recommendation so please be mindful to ask in advance.

Any provider recommenders with a description or an overview of the program of interest so they can better connect your skills and experience.

One way that they can do this is also by providing your recommenders with a resume or if possible, your statement of purpose 2 final notes that I want to make the first make sure you understand what it means to waive the right to access your recommendations.

Recommenders may feel more comfortable provided a candid and truthful letter of recommendation if you waive your right to do so since they know that their letter will remain confidential. However, you do have the right to see the recommendation for you.

Secondly think carefully and thoughtfully about who you would like to serve as your recommender before adding them to your application changes cannot be made. Once you have listed a recommender on your application. This is important to keep in mind.

Now let's transition to transcripts. We asked they upload transcripts from every post secondary institution attended and for any summer courses transfer credits 9 degrees study and study abroad course work that you have completed up-to-date all copies. My show courses completed grades receive duration of study in FNF applicable degree and diploma received with completion date.

For students currently enrolled in a program. Please upload a transcript with grades through the preceding term an if possible, with your GPA up to the prior semester. You do not need to wait for the fall grades to be posted. However, we would prefer if the in progress courses are at least listed on your transcript.

Finally, at this point of the application copies of your transcript transcript can be unofficial. Once in mission notifications are released in March. Administrations will be required to provide official transcripts and translations if applicable for verification.

As for international transcripts in academic records, not in English, they must be accompanied by certified translation. These translations must be literal word by word, and must be complete versions of the original records.

Please upload these transcripts with the accompanying translation to your application portal again admitted students will be required to provide official transcripts for very quick verification through World Education Services or West.

Finally, if you wish to include a sample of your work, which is not required or any other supporting materials to your application. You may upload a document of no more than 10 pages within the additional information section of the on line application. Please do not Mail hard copies of these materials to a separately they must be submitted to us as part of the online application.

Finally, if you have any other questions in regards to the application itself. Feel free to contact us at GSC.admissions@harvard.edu and thank you for taking the time to join us.