Grad School for Education

Graduate School
1

<p>I'm a rising college freshman interested in Education; I have several questions.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>How does graduate school in education differ from other graduate programs, in terms of focus and admissions? Do most prefer masters degrees and work experience?</p></li>
<li><p>What kind of student profile is necessary to be a competitive applicant to PhD/EdD programs in Higher Education or Educational Policy?</p></li>
<li><p>Is there a sort of litmus test for determining whether one is "destined" for education research or practice?</p></li>
<li><p>What's the difference between a PhD program in Public Policy that the student uses to focus on educational policy and a PhD program in Educational Policy?</p></li>
<li><p>I have a bit of experience in education/government, but I'm not sure how to make the move from student-esque to "real" work while still in school. Should I aim for something at my school or something external? What kinds of experience are graduate schools looking for? I feel like I've done well for a high-school student. Here are the highlights:</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Keynote Speaker, State Education Reception
9 Additional Presentations, Various State Education Groups/Events/Symposia
State Rep., International Education Project of CCSSO/NASA/SREB
Participant, Domestic Education Project with " "
State Superintendent Appointee, Significant State Education Policy Commission
State Board of Education Appointee, State-Wide Education Advisory Board
Vice-President (Led revisions to City Ordinances), City Council on Youth
Master of Ceremonies, Major County/City Banquet
AmeriCorps Middle- and Elementary-School Tutor
Community College Tutor (College Employee)
Teen-Court Attorney, Communities-Based Education Group
Summer Special-Archives Intern, Local University</p>

2

<p>I’m going to bump this lol. I have many of the same questions and asked in a different thread. I’m also interested in a PhD in Educational Policy. Currently I’m debating between Ed. Administration and Ed. Policy though.</p>

<p>Hopefully someone with specific knowledge will help us out :).</p>

3

<p>I would seriously consider whether going straight into graduate school out of undergrad is going to give you the necessary background to make you a marketable education research/policy professional. You’ll have a lot of book learning but zero real-world experience in the field.</p>

4

<p>@ polarscribe: Currently I’m trying to get into a lot of programs involved in teaching. Berkeley has a Education for Inmates Program at San Quentin Prison. I’m hoping to teach there. Also, over summer, Stanford has a pretty great deal that involves college students going to Stanford to teach for all or part of the summer. I’d get room and board for free and a 575$ stipend every week. Plus, it’s really close to my home as well. </p>

<p>I’m thinking the latter is my best bet in the short-term, especially considering that I’m planning to apply to Stanford next fall, but if you feel that despite these experiences, albeit not extraordinary as they could be, that I would still need a few years of practical experience, then would you recommend I go for a Masters first while pursuing internships/jobs?</p>

<p>I’m just trying to figure out the best path for myself :). Thanks so much for the help!</p>