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!

Meet a TC Student: Anthony

Name: Anthony Martinez

Position: Student Ambassador in The Teachers College Office of Admission

Program/ Expected Graduation: M.A. Bilingual/ Bicultural Education/ May 2010

Undergraduate/ Major/ Graduation: University of Texas at Austin/ Applied Learning and Development Early Childhood-5^th Grade Bilingual Education Certification/ May 2008

Hometown: Brownsville, TX/ Matamoros, Mexico

Prior to TC, I was… getting my B.A. degree at UT Austin

1. I chose my program because…I’ve always wanted to better my understanding of Language Acquisition, educational techniques, and theories in Bilingual/ Bicultural Education. My goal is to become the best teacher I can, and be exposed to true diversity. There is no better place to be immersed in diversity than New York City.

2. When I was applying to graduate school, I wish I knew… that the GRE’s were not required for my program, that we have the possibility of cross-registration within the Columbia Schools, that Housing at TC includes various spaces such as studios, and that hard work and play go hand in hand.

3. My favorite class so far has been: The Reading and Writing Project course because it teaches you practical techniques that you can take into the classroom, along with the theory behind the process. In other words, this course work is not just research papers and other dry assignments, but actual strategies that a teacher can take into the classroom the day after you learn them.

4. My professional goals after I graduate from TC are… to become a Bilingual/ Bicultural teacher, a positive role model to my future students, and an aspiring administrator.

5. My favorite spot in campus is… the third floor of the Gottesman Library because it is a great space to do your work.

6. Recent “study breaks” include… 1. Riding my bicycle around the Upper West Side 2. Exploring Riverside Park 3. Venturing through the city with my girlfriend

7. My key to success at TC is… to seek advice when needed, stay organized, and save some time for myself and fellow loved ones.

TC and NYC – A Great Combination!

Hi All!

Many Teachers College students relocate from all over the country and all over the world to attend graduate school here.  We know that location is an important factor when choosing a graduate school, yet it is difficult to get a feel for a particular city or neighborhood without having lived there. Therefore, I figured I would use this blog entry to give you a little glimpse into our NYC community that you might not be getting from the TV and movies.

Teachers College is located in upper Manhattan at  525 West 120th Street.  Our neighborhood is a lively community called Morningside Heights.  Due to the large student and residential populations in the neighborhood, the area feels quite alive at all times of day – even late at night.  However, despite all the excitement, Morningside Heights feels removed from the hustle, bustle, and congestion of midtown Manhattan and has a quite/peaceful feel as well.

Listed below are some of the key points of interest in Morningside Heights (which spans from 106th to 123rd street between Riverside Park and Morningside Park).

Columbia University: All of the Columbia schools, including its affiliate schools, are located in the blocks surrounding Teachers College.  Columbia’s Medical Center is located just about 40 blocks north in Washington Heights.  Teachers College is directly across the street from Columbia University’s main campus, giving the neighborhood a very collegial feel.  TC students feel like a part of the greater academic community within Morningside Heights

Libraries: Teachers College students have access to all of Columbia University’s libraries – most located within a few block radius of TC.  Check out the CU library link for more information about the resources available to you.   http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/indiv/libraries.html.

In addition, the New York Public library has a branch on Broadway and 113th street.

Parks: Teachers College is just a couple of blocks from Riverside Park – a 4 mile long park running along the Hudson River.   The park is a great place to walk, ride a bike, sightsee, or take a study break.  Also, Central Park is about a 15 minute walk from Columbia University’s campus.

Restaurants: Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue – the two main streets bordering Columbia University – are both lined with many great restaurants, cafes, and bars.  There are great options to meet classmates for lunch, study by yourself over coffee, or plan a night out with friends.

Greenmarket Farmers’ Market: Every Thursday, there is a Farmers’ Market along Broadway, just outside Columbia’s main gate.  This is a great place to buy produce, breads, herbs, and other fresh foods.  It’s also a fun place to take a walk!

Transportation/Access to the rest of NYC: The closest subway to TC is the 1 train at the 116th stop.  A few blocks in the other direction is the 125th street stop with access to the B, D, A, C trains.  There are also several buses that run within the neighborhood.  Therefore, the rest of Manhattan (and the entire city) is very accessible from our neighborhood uptown.  By subway, Times Square (the center of Manhattan) is about 30 minutes away.

I hope this helped paint a picture of Columbia University and Morningside Heights.  We hope you visit soon!

Blog soon,

Elizabeth

Guest Blogger Rachel: Speech Language Pathology FAQ

Rachel is a 2nd year student in the Speech and Language Pathology (SLP) MS Program, as well as a Student Ambassador in the Office of Admission.

1. Do students applying to the SLP program need a Bachelors degree in the field?

No, the program accepts an array of student with diverse academic backgrounds.  You can enter the program without taking any classes in the field of Speech Pathology.

2. Can students without a background complete all the coursework at Teachers College or is it necessary to do prerequisites before either applying?

Teachers College offers all the necessary classes to complete the degree.  You do not need to take any perquisites prior to beginning your studies at Teachers College.

3. Are the GRE’s required for Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology?

No, the GRE’s are NOT required for the SLP program!

4. Is there a clinic located on campus?

Yes, students in the program gain clinical experience in the Edward D. Mysak Speech and Hearing Center which is located within Teachers College in Macy Hall. You can visit the website at: http://www.tc.columbia.edu/centers/mysak/.  Students are supervised by certified Speech Language Pathologists, according the American Speech-Hearing Association (ASHA).  At the clinic, students have the opportunity to work with pediatric and adult clients in the areas of articulation, language, voice, fluency, aphasia, apraxia, and accent modification.  The Edward D. Mysak Speech and Hearing Center also offers bilingual therapy.

5. Do students have to find their own placements?

No. The Department of Speech-Language Pathology arranges all the placements.  Students have the opportunity to work in various preschools, schools, hospitals, private practices, rehabilitation centers, group homes etc.  Each student participates in three outplacements within the New York area.  At these placements, students gain experience in an array of areas with varying populations.  At these sites, students are supervised by certified Speech-Language pathologists.

6. Is there a bilingual track through the Speech Language Pathology program?

Yes, students can choose to participate in the bilingual extension program.  For details about requirements and course information please visit our website.

7. How long does the program take to finish?

Students entering the program with a background in the field of Speech Language Pathology typically complete the program in 2 years.  For example, a student beginning in the Fall of 2008 should complete the program by May of 2010 (this includes one summer, which consists of two 6-week sessions).

Students without a background in the field, typically complete the program in 2 and 1/2 years. For example, a student without a degree in the field would enter in Fall 2008 and graduate in December 2010 (this includes two summers, which each consist of two 6-week sessions).

Admission Quick Tip – Add TC to your address book!

The Office of Admission sends the majority of its correspondence to applicants via e-mail. This includes important information, such as your admission decision!

Don’t let TC Admission e-mails go to your Junk Mail Folder!

Add admission@tc.columbia.edu to your e-mail address book today!

On-campus Information Session this Saturday!

This Saturday, we will be hosting the second of our Saturday Information Sessions:

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2009

Location: Cowin Center, 525 W. 120th Street, New York, NY 10027

Time: 11am – 2pm

RSVP Here.

Come for an introduction to Teachers College, as well as valuable application information and advice.

For those who are unable to attend, don’t worry, we also offer information sessions most Fridays on-campus, as well as across the country. For the complete list of admission events, please click here.

Next week, I’ll be visiting Albany NY for graduate school fairs and an information session. Looking forward to seeing you on the road!

Have a great weekend, blog to you soon!

Meet a TC Student: Ivana

Name: Ivana Man

Position: Student Ambassador in the Teachers College Office of Admission

Program/Expected Graduation: MA Developmental Psychology/Fall 2010

Undergraduate/Major/Graduation: George Mason University, majored in Psychology, minored in Chinese, May 2009

Hometown: Seaford, NY

Prior to TC, I was… working as a teacher’s assistant in a preschool and getting my bachelors degree at Mason

1. I chose my program because… I love working with children, but I knew that I did not want to teach.  TC’s Developmental Psychology program is flexible where I can focus my studies towards a specific area of interest to apply to my future career choice.

2. When I was applying to graduate school, I wish I knew… that my program did not require the GREs, and to look up all the required information on the websites because each graduate school has different requirements.

3. My favorite class so far has been: Development of Creativity.  The professor split up the class to make it smaller, and we discuss the foundation of creativity and where it came from.  We sit in a circle in class to facilitate discussion and I really enjoy the issues that we discuss, as they pertain to the readings and also to each student’s own personal experiences.

4. My professional goals after I graduate from TC are… to get an internship with a Child Life Program in a hospital and then to ultimately get certified and work as a Child Life Specialist.

5. My favorite spot on campus is… in the library because there I can find a nice quiet spot to study with no distractions and if I need to “rest my eyes” I can.

6. Recent ”study breaks” include… going on a run, wandering the streets of NYC, finding a new restaurant/coffee shop to try

7. My key to success at TC is … to stay organized, to keep up with all the reading and planning ahead.  All the while remembering to have fun, meet new people and enjoy my experiences at TC

More TC Events in Your Neighborhood Next Week!

Happy October Everybody!

Next week, like every week throughout the Fall season, Teachers College admission representatives will be out and about visiting cities and college campuses across the country.  Below is the schedule of events and where you can find us in the coming week.  If we are in your neighborhood (or close to it), I hope that you can attend one of these events to talk directly with an admission representative about applying to Teachers College.

As always, please visit our admission site for more information on each event and all future events http://www.tc.edu/admissions/?id=Upcoming+Events

Texas:

Trinity University Graduate Fair, San Antonio – Monday, October 5th

UT San Antonio Graduate Fair, San Antonio – Tuesday, October 6th

UT Austin Graduate Fair – Wednesday, October 7th

Huston-Tillostan Graduate Fair -   Wednesday, October 7th

San Antonio Admission Information Session – Thursday, October 8th

California:

University of San Fransisco Graduate Fair – Monday, October 5th

San Francisco State University Graduate Fair – Tuesday, October 6th

UC Berkeley Graduate Fair – Wednesday, October 7th

Colorado:

Denver Idealist Graduate Fair at the University of Denver – Monday, October 5th

Minnesota:

Minneapolis Idealist Graduate Fair at the University of Minnesota – Wednesday, October 7th

Illinois:

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Graduate Fair – Wednesday, October 7th

Chicago Area Graduate Fair – Thursday, October 8th

Chicago Admission Information Session - Friday, October 9th

Hope to see some of you on the road!

Have a great weekend,

Elizabeth

Guest Blogger Natalie: Getting internships in New York City

Natalie is an MA student in the Organizational Psychology department, as well as a Student Ambassador in the Office of Admission.

A huge part of our program revolves around internships. Having the opportunity to apply classroom concepts in a practical environment is an extremely useful tool that many students take advantage of.

When to Apply

One common question student have is when to apply for an internship. Often companies hire on a semester basis, meaning August/September and January and June are big recruiting months. But if the time is passed, don’t stop looking! Some people find great internships mid term. Signing up for Career Services gives you access to email updates for companies looking for interns. These emails often come up at random times during the term. Just a week ago, an internship opportunity came up with the NBA, and this was late September! Another important note is applying as early as possible. If you want a fall internship, apply in the summer. Even if it is your first semester, beating your competition to the punch can be very helpful!

Solidifying an internship can take time sometimes. Don’t be discouraged! If you are persistent, opportunities will come. It’s important to apply to many internships and to apply often. Some people get the first internship they apply for, and some it takes them a semester. Finding other ways to keep busy and get experience is useful as well. Join a research team, or volunteer for a student organization. For Organizational Psychology, OHDCC is a huge club that offers leadership opportunities like Project Manager of Alumni Relations. Student Senate at TC and clubs at Columbia and SIPA are also great ways to get involved and beef up your resume.

Where to Look

Finding an internship in New York City is easier than most people expect. You are in the heart of everything in New York, and internship possibilities are abundant (as long as you are OK working for free!).

There are multiple ways to find an internship. Here are a few:

Career Services

This is how many students find their internships. The companies who post with Teachers College Career Services (TCCS) likely have done so for many terms and are used to hiring TC students. This is a great place to start. Be sure to write a cover letter and research each company you apply to. Also, try to find out if you know anyone who has interned there before so they can give you tips! This leads me into my next internship resource…

Networking with your classmates!

Like I said, many students at TC do internships, and if a company has recruited a TC student once, they likely will do it again! In the organizational psychology program, it feels like we are constantly passing internships to one another.  Some programs like Org Psy have Internship Panels throughout the year where you can go and learn about opportunities. But the most effective is just talking to people. Talk to second year or second term students who have been there and done things. They are your number one source!

Craigslist

To my initial surprise, Craigslist is a great way to find internships. Organizations like Fendi, Dior, and even Google have posted internships and jobs on Craigslist. Just make sure to go to the company website as well and make sure it’s legit. You know the drill. Be smart and this is a great resource.

Company websites

If you have the stamina and patience, researching companies on your own can work as well. Big companies have large HR departments, and even if they don’t post on TCCS, they may still have internships available. Do research, contact companies you like or are interested in. You may even be able to convince a company to hire you even if they don’t have an official intern program. Some people can’t say no to free labor!

Tips for a Stress Free Application Process

Hi Everyone,

Many of you may be well into the application process at this point, and many of you might still be in the early stages of information gathering.  No matter what phase of the application process you are in, I wanted to offer some helpful tips to make the process as stress free and smooth as possible!

As you know, applying to graduate school is a self-managed process.  Therefore, staying organized and on top of your game is key! Listed below are some helpful steps to follow to make sure that you are covering all necessary aspects of the application process and leaving no stone unturned:

1. Read the “Guide to Admission”  Cover to Cover: You will find the “Guide to Admission” at www.tc.columbia.edu/apply. The front portion of this booklet details out all components of a complete application and the necessary steps you must take to submit them properly.   The second portion is a chart listing each individual program and degree level at TC.  Please be sure to reference the chart for your program of interest to find any program specific information about applying – including specific certification information, deadlines, and supplemental application materials.  If there are items listed in the “Supplemental Application Requirements/Comments” column, keep in mind that the items listed are in addition to all the materials listed in the first portion of the Guide.

TC has over 100 programs and the application requirements differ between programs and degree levels.  Therefore, it is important to consult the “Guide to Admission” to identify the application requirements for all programs and the requirements that are program specific.

2.Keep Track of Your Application Information: After you create an online application account, please be sure to keep careful record of your PIN and password for the account.  Our office does not have access to this information and we are unable to provide you with your PIN and password should you lose it.  Also, please be sure that you only have one active account.   Creating a new account after you have already started one can cause confusion and can lead to incomplete information.

3. Do Not Wait Until the Last Minute: When requesting materials from a third party to complete your application, please be sure to allow for ample time for these materials to be completed.   Please give your recommenders plenty of notice when asking them to write letters of recommendation for you.  Since recommenders have very busy schedules, you want to be sure you do not rush them in the process.   Similarly, please request your official transcripts for all postsecondary institutions well ahead of your application deadline.  Processing transcript requests and mailing documents takes time.  Taking care of it early – having transcripts in hand ahead of time will ease your anxiety as your application deadline approaches.

Hope this is helpful!

Blog soon,

Elizabeth