Questions that I've received from Prospective IEDP Students

-Outside of the financial advantage to participating in a one-year program, what are some of the pros and cons of Penn's condensed
schedule?

Okay,  the one year component of the program was one of the things that made this program so attractive for me.  Nonetheless, I really wish that this program was longer.  Not because I think

that I will graduate without having acquired the preparation necessary for the field that I want to go into but because I feel that there is just so much to learn here.  It's an incredibly intellectually

stimulating place.  Here at Upenn, they really push for you to not only take courses in the IEDP department but also outside of the graduate school of education.  It's a challenge but one that allows

you to see how to look at things through different points of view.  In turn, this further feeds your curiosity to know and learn about different subjects and through different points of view and see how

this ties with your educational interests.  In short,  I wish it were a longer program just because I feel that there is so much to learn here...

 

- Does the curriculum lean toward a particular theory/school of thought?

Most of the students are very liberal here.  I am more of a moderate... I like to think things through and really make a practical and sound decision in matters.  Having said this... I have found that the

environment is very friendly to people's different opinions ( be they conservative, liberal etc.)

For the IED Program in particular I don't think that we have a particular school of thought.  As for the greater Upenn Graduate School of Education there is a social justice theme that it puts forth. 

This is advanced not just in the curriculum ( touching on issues of school overcrowdness, language issues etc.) but also through the work that many of the students in GSE do.  There are a lot of opportunities

for GSE students to volunteer and get involved with the Philly community.  I volunteer and I know that a lot of people do.  We are highly encouraged to be involved in the community which goes with the

social justice "theme" of Upenn's GSE. 

 

-Did you pursue (or do you know of any) collaborative projects with other students across programs or schools and/or research
opportunities with faculty

I am a Graduate Assistant and I opted to work for the Admissions office .  I think that masters

students that want to do research need to contact the professor that they want to do research with.  I am guessing that you want to do research so I will advice you to contact the professor that you might

be interested to work with and see if they would like to work with you etc.  It just takes a quick email.  Contact the professors that you might be interested in working with. 

-How would you describe the make-up of your class/program? As someone from a political science and external affairs background, I'd like to get an idea of Penn's point of view on non-traditional education students.

How would you describe a "non-traditional education" student?  The recent IEDP class is very diverse.  There are people who are fullbright scholars, students who just came back from abroad (Peace Corps) and so on...

It is required that all students have some type of international work experience...

-What were your deciding factors in choosing Penn?

The program was definitely the deciding factor (internship component, curriculum, professors etc.).  I received financial aid from other programs as well but Upenn was my top choice even before I submitted my applications.  I liked that Upenn didn't charged for

the application.  This showed that they were truly looking for "the best" students.  I also liked the city, its history and how responsive the professors were to my emails. 

-Any applications tips or suggestions you might have would be greatly appreciated!

Just remember that it's rolling admissions and the sooner it's in, the sooner that it'll be read.  Submit it!  If you need an extra pair of eyes to give you comments on it.  I'll be happy to look through it.  I owe it to you since I took forever to reply. 

Just keep in mind to send your application when you think that it's a good reflection of yourself, your passions/interests and your past work.