Meet a TC Student: Nick

Name: Nick Kappelhof

Position: Graduate Assistant, Office of Admission

Program/Expected Graduation: Ed.M, Public School and School District Leadership, May 2008

Undergraduate/Major/Graduation: B.A., Communication, San Diego State University, 2001

Hometown: Danville, California

Prior to TC, I spent five years teaching English Language Arts in middle and high schools. I began my career in education teaching at high schools in the San Francisco Bay Area. After a couple of years I was looking for a new challenge and an escape from California, so I decided to move to New York. Shortly after my arrival, I found a job teaching 7th and 8th grade English at a middle school in Brooklyn. My experiences teaching in Brooklyn were incredibly enriching and profound, which inspired me to pursue a course of study in Education Leadership at Teachers College.

I chose my program because…After seeing firsthand what kind of shape some of our country’s inner-city schools were in, I felt compelled to learn how to affect change in these high need areas. I knew that Teachers College would provide the most practical and challenging kind of preparation for my career goals. As an aspiring school leader, I wanted a comprehensive program that would give me unfiltered access to some of the foremost thinkers in the field of Education Leadership, a forum to test my own beliefs about education practice, and an opportunity to apply new skills in a practical setting.

When I was applying to graduate school, I wish I knew…how helpful college staff members can be during the application and financial aid process. I remember thinking that I shouldn’t bother the University with questions I thought were stupid or only applied to my specific set of circumstances. After spending time at Teachers College as a student and employee, I’ve witnessed how much the people around here really like helping prospective applicants and recently admitted students. No question is too small or large for staff members to tackle and there is valuable information to be gleaned from all of the helpful people in the Office of Enrollment and Student Services.

My favorite class so far has been…Ethical Issues in Education Leadership, taught by Dr. Thomas Sobol. Maybe it was because this was the first class I ever stepped foot in at TC, or perhaps it was the infinite wisdom of Dr. Sobol (or ‘Yoda’ as some classmates would call him) but I won’t soon forget the rich discussion and constant challenge my values and beliefs were subjected to every week. This course brought together people in all sectors of education, from all over the world and asked us to question our assumptions about why we educate and who we serve. The result was the formation of some deep friendships and the ability to continue striving towards the mandate my former 8^th graders would give me to ‘keep it real’.

My professional goals after I graduate from TC are…to open my own small high school in an urban setting. For the past year I have been working in a new, small high school in the Bronx (shout out to Bronx Lab!) where a philosophy of ‘learning by doing’ and a heavy emphasis placed on adult/student relationships, has resulted in some impressive student experiences. I am looking to continue the good work that is happening at Bronx Lab by opening a similar school in Brooklyn or in San Francisco.

My favorite spot on campus is…the Butler Library (Main Campus). I enjoy Butler because it is so big I can find a quiet spot and kind of fall off the face of the earth for a few hours. I also just kind of feel smarter being in there, as opposed to a coffee shop or my living room where the names Aristotle and Sophocles are not branded on the building’s façade as a humbling reminder of how much I still want to accomplish.

Recent “study breaks” include…

1. Snowboarding at Bellayre Mountain

2. Snacking and coffee at joyce bakeshop in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

3. Dinner at Brooklyn Fish Camp and Thomas Biesel

4. Independent films at BAM

My key to success at TC is…making FUN a priority. Things get stressful, work sometimes seems daunting, classmates freak out, but making sure I have time to get away (i.e. running, watching t.v., grabbing a drink with a friend, going to a baseball game) is the key to my academic and emotional success. Hard work deserves a reward.

Meet a TC Student: Danielle

Name: Danielle Gagnon

Position: Student Ambassador, Office of Admissions; Research Assistant, Office of Access and Services for Students with Disabilities

Program/Expected Graduation: Literacy Specialist, May 2008

Age: 23Undergraduate/Major/Graduation: Inclusive Elementary and Special Education; Sociology

Hometown: East Hampton, CT

Prior to TC, I was…at Syracuse University. I just graduated with my BS in May 2007.

1. I chose my program because…I really wanted to further establish my philosophy of teaching children reading and writing and felt I would have the best resources for doing so at Teachers College.

2. When I was applying to graduate school, I wish I knew…how much work is expected of you to do outside of the class. Classes are typically only once per week for an hour and forty minutes…therefore, a lot of focus needs to be put on your coursework on your own time.

3. My favorite class so far has been…All of my classes have been excellent so far! My favorite class has probably been C&T 4140, Literature for Younger Children. We have learned so much about the many different genres of children’s books, past and present, and even created and shared children’s books we wrote ourselves.

4. My professional goals after I graduate from TC are…To be a teacher! I can’t wait to have a classroom full of learners and begin to put into practice everything I have learned. Continuing my studies later on in life is also a great possibility.

5. My favorite spot on campus is…Columbia’s quad. Beautiful grass and places to sit and study in the middle of New York City! It reminds me of the campus at my alma mater.

6. Recent “study breaks” include…

• 1. Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Plaza
• 2. Barnes and Noble on 66^th and Broadway for a coffee and some book browsing
• 3. Mamma Mia! On Broadway!

7. A key to success at TC is…keeping your life balanced! Study hard! Put all your energy into the assignments and realize their significance, but also try to enjoy all that New York City has to offer. The time flies by!

Happy New Year!

Happy 2008! It’s great to be back on the blogroll. I hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday season. Teachers College closed for a much-needed rest and now we are back and ready to rock!

January is the busiest month in the Office of Admission. Along with new students enrolling this month, our early application deadlines have arrived. We’re been opening bins and bags of mail daily, not to mention all of the mail we recieved during our break. We have a lot of applications to process and we’re very excited to help bring in new students for the Summer and Fall!

Many of you have phoned our office already to ask if your transcripts or recommendations have arrived or if your application is complete. Although I wish I could give up-to-the-minute status checks on each application, it simply isn’t possible at this time. Every single application item is processed and entered into our computer system by hand. Even the online applications. With thousands of pieces of mail to go through, it takes up to four weeks (15-20 business days) to completely match an application form with its supplemental materials.

Won’t this make my application late?

In short, no. We date-stamp all application materials once they arrive in the office to ensure that they have met the deadlines prescribed by the academic departments and the Office of Admission. This processing time is built into the deadline we set. So if you submitted your application on January 15th, do not worry if your application isn’t processed and ready for review on January 16th (Or 17th…). As long as you submitted your complete application to our office to arrive by the early deadline, then you will be all set.

You will receive email confirmation from the Office of Admission once your application is complete. If you feel that an item may not have arrived to our office, you are more than welcome to contact us. As I mentioned before, all applications are processed and completed by hand. This will not happen overnight. But please know our office values each and every one of your applications and their components. We’re working double-time to get all of these applications prepared for review.

We understand that this is the next chapter of your life that you’re trying to write. We’re just as excited about this possibility as you. We just ask for your patience at this time.

I will write more on applications periodically. If you have any questions you want answered specifically, please email me: rs2672@columbia.edu. I’ll try to answer them as fast as I can.

Happy New Year!

Living in New York City

Hi Everyone!

One of the best parts of Teachers College (besides the wonderful classes, faculty, and community of classmates that you will have) is of course the opportunity to live in New York City. It is one of the largest, most well known metropolitan cities that is home to the exciting world of media, politics, education, entertainment, and fashion.

 The city has many neighborhoods and landmarks that are known around the world. The Statue of Liberty, The New York Stock Exchange, Ellis Island, Wall Street, The Empire State building, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Broadway are just a few!

New York City is comprised of five boroughs; The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. It has over 8.2 million residents within an area of 322 square miles (830 km²).

Although these facts are interesting, they don’t’ explain what it is like to live in the city as a TC student. I have little spare time because of my course work but I strongly believe in having balance in my life. No matter how busy I may be I always make time to do activities that I enjoy to take my mind off my school work.

The Office of Student Activities is an amazing resource on campus. They send weekly e-mails with numerous activities to take part in, both academic and social. Something I have definitely taken advantage of is the inexpensive play/musical tickets they sell every few weeks. Just since September I have seen Mama Mia, Wintuk Cirque de Soleil, Mary Poppins, The Color Purple and the famous Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular!

To get an idea of the variety of activities, below are the activities The Office of Student Activities is offering in the coming weeks.

Teachers College

Weekly Announcements

Compiled by the Office of Student Activities and Programs

Tickets For Sale!!

o Knicks vs. 76ers tickets - $35/ticket; 2 tix/student ID (Fri, Jan 25, 7:30pm)

o Spring Awakening tickets - $35/ticket; 1 ticket/student ID (Sun, Jan 27, 2pm)

o Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center - $10/ticket; 1 ticket/student ID (Sat, Feb 2, 12-2pm)

o Rangers vs. Kings (ice hockey) - $30/ticket; 2 tix/student ID (Tues, Feb 5, 7:30pm)

Megan’s top ten list of things to do NYC:

1. Top of the Rock

2. Brooklyn Bridge

3. Broadway

4. Yankees game

5. Restaurants! There are so many restaurants in NYC but here are few of my favorites!

•  Palma - Greenwich Village

• Regional Thai Taste- Chelsea

• Mary Anne’s-Upper West Side

• Tony’s de Napoli- Upper East Side

• Che Bella Pizza- Morningside Heights

• Vento Trattoria-Meat Packing District

6. Ellis Island

7. Coney Island

8. Take a walk in Central Park

9. Shopping in Soho

10. Riding my bike along the Hudson River (in the summer)

I hope you enjoyed reading about some of the perks of living in NYC. Coming from California, I have been a little cold lately, but have been adjusting to the weather gradually. I do love it here and plan to stay in New York a few years after graduation before heading back to sunny California to be near my family!

Pictures!

Networking!

Hi Everyone!

 

It has been said by many professionals that networking is a key ingredient when searching for a job… and as of Thursday I am living proof that this piece of advice is golden!  As I am a full time student who was planning on finishing my program this May I was slowly starting to begin the job hunt however I was planning on waiting untill March to really delve into searching.  After just going to a career workshop and having someone say “getting a job in Higher Education can take 3-9 months,” I began to get a little worried about how I was going to find time with 5 classes, an internship, and a normal life to look for a job. Anyone who has searched for a job before knows that looking for a job can usually turn out to be a full time job in itself.

 

However, I was in class the other day and one of my group members who works at the Institute of International Education told me that she received an email from HR with a job posting that screamed my name. I read the job posting and I too couldn’t believe this job existed; it was exactly what I wanted to do come May.  Needless to say, one thing lead to another and…. Two days ago I was offered a full time position. I am so excited. In January I will start work as a Program Officer for two specific programs within the Institute of International Education, one is working with Indonesian students and the other is working with Chilean students. As I worked for three years in Chile, I have a huge heart for the country and its people. As an added bonus, I will be able to not only practice my Spanish but use it in a productive way!

 

Although I am incredibly excited about this opportunity, I will sadly be leaving my Internship at the Office of Admissions. I will be going to school part time however will definitely continue blogging and will still be available with any questions you may have!

 

Being a student at Teachers College has many advantages when it comes to the end (or middle as in my case) of your program for helping you find a job!  The networking opportunities are endless. Many programs include a practicum aspect such as an internship or student teaching, which obviously begin to connect you to professionals in your field of study.  Also many of your classmates may already have full time positions, which give you that many more possibilities for networking. 

The Career Center at Teachers College is also a great resource. They give resume workshops, do mock interviews, and have assessments like the Meyers Brigs Personality Test.  Although most students have very clear career goals the Career Center can assist those who need some more guidance in focusing their interests and are also an incredible resource for helping you to be able to present yourself to future employers, through resumes, cover letters, and interviews in a polished manner.  These workshops help students to better market the skills and talents they already have or have gained at TC.

 

I have yet to celebrate my new job offer as I have 5 finals to get through next week however I plan on enjoying a delicious dinner next Thursday at Vento, a restaurant in the Meat Packing District that has the most delicious pumpkin raviolis ever!

 

Congratulations to the doctoral students who have just completed their applications and good luck to everyone else who will be working on theirs over the holidays.

 

Megan

Warm ‘n’ Toasty

Greetings from the award-winning Office of Admssion! We are feeling mighty jolly around here since our office just won the office decorating contest! We were competing with the other offices of our division, Enrollment and Student Services. There was heavy and festive competition and I’m excited that our hard work paid off. If I can, I’ll sneak in some photos of our office in a later post!

By now, many new students have been accepted to Teachers College for Spring 2008. Congratulations! Hopefully now, your holiday meal will taste even sweeter. It’s a little over a month until classes begin, so enjoy your rest while you can! Also, check out the Admitted Student Website. Here you can download any additional copies of your admission packet forms as well as sign up for Admitted Student Weekend. Held the day before classes, this is when you meet with your advisor, register for classes, obtain your TC ID, and meet your fellow students. It’s a packed day, but hopefully your excitement will carry you through the day!

Make sure to get your immunization forms ready before you arrive. It’s much easier to get the necessary documentation from your doctor now, as opposed to in January when you could be halfway across the country, or the world.

Some of you are just submitting your applications to Teachers College. That also warrants a round of applause! Feel free to check out the application section of the blog for helpful hints of what to do now. Actually, speaking of which, here is a new hint I need to add:

Make sure your email address is valid through the entire admission process. We have many applicants who are finishing up their senior year of undergrad when they apply to TC. With some programs offering rolling admission, we are giving admission decisions year-round. It is essential that you provide us with an email that will take you through to the beginning of the Fall 2008 semester (September 2008). Or, once your school address is no longer valid, contact us and provide your new address. Send this information to the appropriate Admission Liaison with the date this email becomes effective.

I hope you are staying warm this time of year. New York City is going to get hit with a Nor’easter this weekend, so I’m staying home! I’m off to an office holiday party now, so I’ll talk to you again soon!

Meet a TC Student: Michelle

Name: Michelle Reddy

Position: Graduate Assistant in the Division of Student Affairs at Columbia College and School of Engineering and Applied Science

Program/Expected Graduation: Higher and Postsecondary Education, Master of Arts, May 2008

Age: 24 but 25 is slowly creeping up

Undergraduate/Major/Graduation: Boston College, Political Science, History, and a minor in French, 2005

Hometown: Brooklyn

Prior to TC, I was…working in marketing at a children’s television and consumer products company, and then human resources at an advertising agency. While in college, I worked at the Irish Institute, which organized cross-cultural exchanges and seminars for professionals from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and facilitated the University of the Middle East Project, which provides programs in the U.S. for teachers from throughout the Middle East.   

1. I chose my program because… In college, a philosophy professor who was in the process of obtaining her Ed.D in Higher Education Administration suggested I consider the profession. I believe that producing and stimulating ideas in others is the best product one can produce.  I got tired of thinking about profit margins.  The job I felt most passionate about was working at the Irish Institute in college, and I knew Higher Education was the path I wanted to pursue. 
 
2. When I was applying to graduate school, I wish I knew…Not to be too afraid of pestering college professors for recommendations…it is the end of the semester and they are so busy they might easily forget about you! 
 

3.. My favorite class so far has been…the History and Theory of Higher Education.  I really like the intimacy of a seminar class.  There were many guest lecturers and Professor Palmieri does a great job of facilitating classroom discussion and dialogue.   
 

4. My professional goals after I graduate from TC are…I would love to work in International Education or something along the lines of program management…however, a boss once told met that it is important to be open to anything, and I agree.  Sometimes life can take you in a complete different direction, and that’s what makes life intriguing.   

5. My favorite spot on campus is…the Maison Francaise (French House) on Columbia’s main campus.  The architecture is really cool, and I studied abroad in France so I enjoy attending their events.  I also really like reading in the Everett Lounge on the first floor, since they have huge chairs, windows, and rugs. 
 
 6. Recent “study breaks” include…

      1.  Pinkberry

      2.  my classmates’ and coworkers’ holiday parties 

      3. Oren’s Daily Roast 
 

7. My key to success at TC is…time management, strong coffee, and a solid workout to relieve stress when you are busy.

Mumbai Dreams

Greetings from India!

I have been here for the past week and a half, recruiting students for next year. I apologize for my absence from blogville, but Megan has definitely been carrying my share and giving you some great new posts. Thanks, Megan!

I must say, the travel is definitely one of the perks of the job. This year, I’ve been to locales as close as Philadelphia and as far away as…well, this! It’s been great - I have visited Dehli (with a day trip to the Taj Mahal!), Bangalore, Hyderabad and am finishing up in Mumbai. India is very beautiful and the people have been friendly and happy. I don’t know if my travel assignments next year will include India, but I hope to come back one day.

In preparing to meet with Indian students, I was reminded (by my associate, David) of an admission requirement that sometimes slips through the cracks. For international applications, we require a certified copy of the diploma in addition to the transcript. While some schools list both the degree and the date of conferral on the transcript, some do not. And it is the conferral of the degree that we need to finalize our evaluation of international applications. You see, we do our own in-house evaluation to determine whether an international degree is the equivalent of a United States Bachelors. This is opposed to having an outside firm review a transcript and report what the equivalency is. Because of this, we need official copies (or notarized facsimiles) of both your transcript and diploma/degree certificate.

I hope this explanation makes sense - please feel free to email me and let me know if it does not. I am writing with mental jet-lag (yes, still!) and can definitely be writing this in a more confusing fashion than needs to be. I will be sure to write a more lucid version when I return.

On that note, I think I’ll head off to bed and prepare for my trip home tomorrow. Thanks to Megan for doing such a fabulous job on the blog while I’ve been away. The regular posts will return next week!

Also, to everyone going to tonight’s Open House, have a great visit to TC. Stay warm!

Meet a TC Student: Rachel!

 

Name: Rachel
Position: Transfer Credit Coordinator, Graduate Assistant at the Office of Admission
Program/Expected Graduation: Social-Organizational Psychology, Master of Arts, May 2008
Age: 22
Undergraduate/Major/Graduation: Majored in Psychology, Minored in Sociology, Graduated May 2006
Hometown: Lake Mary, FL
Prior to TC, I was… Getting my Bachelors Degree at NYU.

1. I chose my program because…

I love psychology, but I do not want to be a psychiatrist! I had taken an industrial-organizational course as an undergraduate, and was intrigued by the possibilities for using psychology in organizations. A thorough understanding of theories is necessary and helpful, but what I really enjoy are the practical applications of what psychological studies and research can tell us. This program gives you the theoretical foundations through the core courses, but it is well balanced with how to use those theories in real life.

When I applied, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to commit to a Ph.D. program straight out of undergraduate. Although the Master of Arts is terminal here at TC, the program as a whole has a strong community no matter what degree level you are pursuing - you take classes alongside Ph.D. students and have the same professors.

2. When I was applying to graduate school, I wish I knew…

You may receive admissions decisions prior to your financial aid package. It is really important to research your schools and form opinions independent of financial aid packages.

I could start the summer term before I was scheduled to begin my program at TC. I applied and was admitted for the Fall 2006 term, but I could have started in Summer 2006. If you are planning to attend full-time, taking even 1 course over the summer helps lighten your load during the regular school year. If you are going to attend part-time, taking courses over the summer will help you graduate that much faster. You also get to meet the other incoming (and current) students in your program sooner! It could be beneficial to research if this is a possibility for your specific program!

3. My favorite professor so far has been…

Dr. Sarah Brazaitis! She is the Program Coordinator for the Master of Arts. She is a very engaging professor, not only through humor but also through her outstanding explanations of difficult and new concepts. She really understands students and is always available to speak with if you need extra help or advice. She is the Program Coordinator for Social Organizational Psychology and teaches Group Dynamics, a requirement for a variety of programs.

4. My professional goals after I graduate from TC are…

starting a career at an organizational consulting firm.

5. My favorite spot on campus is…

The library!
Kind of corny, I know, but I don’t live on campus, so it’s very helpful to have a modern and quiet place to go to between classes. Plus, they have loads of services for students – like borrowing equipment, the Digital Depot, and the Media Design Center.

6. Recent “study breaks” include…

1. Trips to Central Park! I live nearby, so studying in the fresh air and getting a chance to escape from the hectic city life is essential for me.

2. Taking advantage of all the student discounts to see theatrical performances. There are the daily hard to win student ticket rush lottery offered for most musicals, the TKTS booths (one in Times Square, one at the South Street Seaport) for last minute tickets, and are many free subscriptions that periodically email discounts for popular shows, like www.broadwaybox.com. The weekly “Arts Initiative Newsletter” compiled and e-mailed by Columbia also is a great source for upcoming shows and events with discounts available for students.

7. My key to success at TC is…

Organization and time management! Juggling work, school, family and friends is not an easy feat.