Meet A TC Student: Sam

Name: Samantha Laszlo

Position: Graduate Assistant for Transfer Credits in the Teachers College Office of Admission

Program/Expected Graduation: M.A. Sociology of Education / Spring 2011

Undergraduate/Major/Graduation: The George Washington University / Major in Sociology / Graduated May 2009

Hometown: New Hyde Park, NY on Long Island

Prior to TC, I was…completing my senior year at GW

1. I chose my program because…Teachers College is one of the foremost institutions for the study of Sociology of Education in the U.S. They even taught the first ever course in Sociology of Education. I also was attracted to the small class sizes and personal nature of TC’s classes, as well as its NYC location.

2. When I was applying to graduate school, I wish I knew…that I was getting in! Waiting for a decision is the hardest part of the application process. Luckily, Teachers College really looks holistically at the application. It is not just about the GPA, or the recommendations, or the GRE, or the personal statement. It is about all of those elements combined that will tell TC if you are the right student for them.

3. My favorite class so far has been: Colloquium in Sociology of Education taught by Dr. Aaron Pallas. Even though the name seems daunting, this is the best class I have ever taken. Dr. Pallas does a great job of facilitating meaningful conversation. The class is very interactive, and everyone comes prepared to share their ideas about the readings for that week. One of the great things about TC is that your fellow students have a wide variety of ideas and experiences to share. We learn from one another as well as the professors.

4. My professional goals after I graduate from TC are…to save the world. Well, not really, but that is what I tell everyone when they ask that question. Eventually, I want to be able to open my own school that benefits low-income and minority youth and attempts to close the achievement gap. Immediately after graduation, I will probably start working in non-profits and learn the steps that I need to start my own school.

5. My favorite spot on campus is…the café/coffee house on the first floor of Zankel. You can get great Starbucks coffee, watch CNN, study, and meet with friends without ever leaving campus.

6. Recent “study breaks” include…1. Going to a Slam Poetry event in the village with friends from my program 2. Watching the Yankees play in the World Series (Let’s Go Yankees!!) 3.  Taking a day trip to Long Island

7. My key to success at TC is…creating a study schedule, and sticking to it! It can be hard to balance classes, work, and enjoying New York City. You can take control of your schedule and plan when you will read for your classes, when you will write papers, and when you can just have fun.

Guest Blogger Anthony: Student Teaching

Anthony is an MA student in the Bilingual/Bicultural Education department, as well as a Student Ambassador in the Office of Admission.

My student teaching experience at Teachers College was eye opening, educational, and instrumental to my development as a Bilingual Educator.  First of all, my program coordinator placed us at the schools that most closely matched our (as in us the TC students) criteria. For example, I asked to be placed in a 3^rd or 4^th grade Dual Language classroom, and was assigned to a 4^th grade Dual Language classroom at  P.S. 153 Adam Clayton Powell School. The placements tend to be in the surrounding areas of Teachers College, around the Upper West Side . Nonetheless, you can ask for accommodations if you do not live in the surrounding area. P..S. 153 is located at West 145^th Street and Amsterdam Ave. , just a ten minute train ride form my apartment.

My cooperative teacher at P.S. 153 was very inclusive, and had over ten years of teaching experience under her belt. She helped me understand the practical aspects of teaching in a Bilingual classroom, and gave me the opportunity to polish my techniques. Along with a highly qualified cooperative teacher, I was also exposed to a highly diverse student population, which was one of the main reasons I came to TC for. At the beginning, the students were a handful, but after spending time with them and building rapport, they ended up teaching me more than I taught them.

The last things I have to say to prospective students interested in Student Teaching is that at TC you are helped to obtain your placement, and that the coordinators here are very flexible. Your placement will be discussed once you come to Teachers College, with your advisor or placement coordinator.

Midterms!!!

For the past three weeks there’s been a sense of anxiety and stress across many students faces.  It’s midterms at Teachers College!   Our midterms may vary from in-class to take-home exams that may last from one to three weeks.  For the majority of my courses I am responsible for composing multiple essays based on classroom discussions and a plethora of reading assignments. This can become a bit overwhelming when you have several classes whose midterms are within days or hours of one another.  However, despite being under high volumes of pressure, TC students are able to maintain scholastic achievement.

Most recently, an email was distributed for students of the Higher and Postsecondary Education (HPSE) program; for which I am student, inviting students to a happy hour social.   This was done in effort to allow students to take a break from studying to relax and socialize with cohort peers. The event took place in the Morningside Heights community of Harlem, which is within short walking distance of the Teachers College campus.  To express their level of support of M.A. students, current doctoral HPSE students and professors were also in attendance.  The idea that two of the most distinguished professors of the HPSE department, Drs. Anna Neumann and Kevin Dougherty participated, further proves that Teachers College promotes academic and social support from even the highest tenured staff.

With only a few days left of midterm examinations, the idea of almost completing my first semester as a graduate student at Teachers College has me extremely excited!

If you have any specific questions related to midterms or Teachers College in general, please feel free to email me at amm2285@columbia.edu

-Artesius

Today is the Spring 2010 Deadline

Since November 1 fell on a Sunday, we are still accepting application materials today for Spring 2010 entry.

Please note that today is a received-by deadline, so your materials should already be in the Office of Admission if you wish to be reviewed for next semester. If you are unable to complete your application today, we encourage you to submit for Summer or Fall 2010 entry.

Best of luck!

Guest Blogger Christianna: The Teaching Assistant (TA) Experience

Christianna is a current MA student in the Social-Organizational Psychology department, as well as a Student Ambassador in the Office of Admission.

The connections I have made at Teachers College with faculty, students and staff are an integral component to my graduate school experience. In fact, a faculty connection served as the catalyst to one of my most valuable experiences at TC–my role as a graduate teaching assistant. I’ve had the opportunity to serve in this role three times during my tenure at TC. Each time has been very different with distinct benefits and responsibilities.

The first course was an advanced theory course which was TC students and students from Columbia’s School of Continuing Education. I was so fortunate to meet students (some of whom are now my colleagues) who were as excited about the course material as I was!

For the second course, an experiential, skill building course, I worked in collaboration with two other graduate teaching assistants to support six instructors with ninety students split into three classes. Not only were the students an inspiring group of future public school leaders, but I was also able to practice my collaboration skills.

I’m currently supporting two sections of a required course for my program–most of the students will take the skills they learn into organizational development careers. Being a graduate teaching assistant is, above all else, fun! In some fashion, I’m getting paid to retake a course which I loved with the opportunity to see it through a different lens. The most rewarding part is being a resource for students–I was so excited to set up office hours! I’ve learned how to facilitate role plays, speak confidently in front of a large group of my peers, navigate the idiosyncratic library electronic reserve system, Classweb and Courseworks (Columbia’s course management system) and how to establish appropriate evaluative criteria for grading assignments. The whole experience has made me a better student, listener and colleague and has truly enriched my academic career.

U.S. Secretary of Education Visits TC

The Teachers College community was very excited that U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, visited our campus last week, on October 22nd.   Secretary Duncan spoke to an audience of about 900 people about issues surrounding teacher preparation programs across the country.

For information on how to access Secretary Duncan’s speech, please click here.

We are very grateful to have had the opportunity to host Secretary Duncan.  It was a great day for TC!

Join Us on Facebook!

Hi Everyone!

We are so glad that that you are reading our Admission Blog and hope that you find it to be a helpful resource for learning about TC, our application process, and our students’ experiences.

If you enjoy the blog, then you might also enjoy interacting with us on Facebook!  Become a fan of Teachers College, Columbia University at www.facebook.com/teacherscollege.columbiauniversity

We also have a Facebook group designed specifically for prospective students and applicants for our 2010 semesters.  Post on the group wall or start a discussion board to ask our admission staff questions about the TC application process.  Join our group by clicking here!

See you in the group!

Meet a TC Student: Ashley

Name: Ashley Kennedy

Position: Student Ambassador in the Teachers College Office of Admission

Program/Expected Graduation:

M.A. Psychology in Education /Winter 2010

EdM. Psychological Counseling, specialization in School Counseling/Spring 2011

Undergraduate/Major/Graduation: Pomona College (Claremont, CA ) – Major in Neuroscience, May 2007

Hometown: Menlo Park, CA

Prior to TC, I was…working as a Teaching Assistant in a non-public special education school in Palo Alto, CA

1. I chose my program because…of its strong multicultural focus, applied and experiential coursework, and highly accomplished faculty within the field of counseling. Plus, it’s in NYC!

2. When I was applying to graduate school, I wish I knew…how helpful the TC Admission’s office really is (e-mail tcinfo@tc.edu!) and how early I could have applied for on-campus housing (up to a year in advance!). One thing I did do, but did not truly appreciate the benefits of until after attending, was to attend Admitted Student Weekend in the spring. ASW completely helped me plan my classes, find a job for the fall, and explore the area around Columbia and TC before I moved.

3. My favorite class so far has been: Believe it or not, Probability and Statistics with Dr. Doris Zahner. I have found that the Teachers College faculty is particularly adept at teaching measurement, statistics, and probability classes with a focus on applying the information to your field. This is an experience that has greatly enriched my program and given me relief when confronting topics that are not typically my favorite.

4. My professional goals after I graduate from TC are…to become a clinician within a special education school. I would like to focus on mental health, while also providing guidance support for each student.

5. My favorite spot on campus is…the second floor of the Gottesman Libraries on TC’s campus. I love the comfy chairs and laid-back arrangement; perfect for study groups! I also love the Butler Library, it reminds me so much of the NYPL branch on 42^nd Street and 5^th Avenue.

6. Recent “study breaks” include…1. Going to a movie (with a discounted movie voucher from Columbia’s TIC Office) 2. “Studying” in Riverside Park with a group of friends  3. Bike riding on Governor’s Island

7. My key to success at TC is…getting to know and keeping in touch with my program secretary/assistant, forming study groups with friends, and getting involved on campus through both my job and student organizations.

Admission Quick Tip – Speak for yourself!

Due to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) regulations, we are not authorized to speak with anyone but the applicant in regards to the status of his/her application.

We understand that sometimes applying to, or even paying for, graduate school becomes a family affair, but the applicant alone should be the one contacting the school. As busy as you are and as well-meaning as your parents, siblings, or spouse may be, it is important to navigate the grad school application waters yourself. A competitive application demonstrates not only academic talent and a passion for their field of interest, but also initiative.

Take the initiative, and take control of your graduate school application – we know you can do it! And if you ever need assistance, the Office of Admission will be here to help you!

It’s not too late to apply for Spring 2010!

Greetings!

I hope everyone is enjoying their semester. New York City’s a great place to be in the fall, although recently it’s been feeling like winter some days. I’m already busting out the hot chocolate!

This is a friendly reminder that our Spring 2010 deadline of November 1, 2010 is fast approaching. Since November 1 falls on a Sunday, we will be accepting application materials on Monday, November 2. But, please remember that these deadlines are received-by deadlines, NOT postmark deadlines. So, if your materials are ready to go, send them in right away!

For a complete list of programs offering Spring 2010 admission, please check out the Guide to Admission.

If you are just starting the graduate school search now, make sure you do your homework before applying for Spring 2010 admission. Make sure you realistically have the time to acquire applications requirements like Letters of Recommendation or Official Transcripts. The turnaround time for spring applications is fast and it’s important that your complete application make it to Teachers College by the deadline.

If you cannot make the Spring 2010 deadline, all is not lost! Many programs offer Summer or Fall 2010 admission. And, for those who are still wondering if graduate school is the right path for them, many of our programs allow students to enroll as a non-degree student. The non-degree application (separate from the Application Form for Admission) will be available in November 2009.

Not all programs allow non-degree students to register for classes, so it’s important to find this out before you submit your non-degree application. Please check the Class Schedule for a complete listing of course offerings. If a class has restrictions, it will be listed here.

Best of luck completing your Spring 2010 applications. The Office of Admission is here to help you however we can.

Have a wonderful day!