GradStudiesFilter: Best place for an education studies PhD?

July 16, 2008 7:21 AM

I'm 21, living in London, UK. I just got a first class BA in sociology of education with philosophy. I'm already starting to think what to do after my Master's degree (still in the sociology of education). If the planet's the limit, what are the best places to do a PhD in the sociology of education? (And is my envy to do it at somewhere like Harvard or Stanford worth pursuing?) Bonus points if you've been there yourself and share a slice of your experience!
posted by meso to education (5 comments total)

The funny thing about MAs/PhDs (more so with PhDs) is that the idea of "best place" isn't really what is important. Rather, finding a professor (or set of professors) who are doing stuff that interests you.

Why not take a peek in some of the articles you had to read as an undergrad and make a list of authors that appealed to you and figure out where they are located.

And, as always, LJ's applyingtograd community will be really helpful.
posted by k8t at 8:00 AM on July 16, 2008

K8t is right. Going to a big name institution won't be terribly great if your advisor has little background or interest in your specific area, or no inclination to make time in his schedule to speak with you. Profs at bigger institutions often have less time for their PhD students than those at less-well-known universities. The higher the profile of the department and your advisor, the more you might find yourself fending for yourself.

That said, L.S.E. is in London.

Also think about and approach it with an eye to what you want to do afterwards.
That is, if you want a career in academia, speak to your current advisor or head of department about prioritizing your goals and choosing a place to study that fits with them.
posted by K.P. at 9:14 AM on July 16, 2008

I'd agree with the advice to choose the advisor first and foremost. Researching an advisor and reaching out to him/her is also a good way to get your foot in the door, btw.

Don't be intimidated by the big-name schools. Assuming you've got the basic requirements covered (strong GRE, GPA), definitely give it a shot.

For inspiration and practical advice, I highly recommend the essay How I Got into the Stanford Psychology PhD Program by Eran Magen (PhD).
posted by CruiseSavvy at 12:38 PM on July 16, 2008

How about the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education? We have two of their PhDs in my soci department and they're not complete flakes.
posted by ethnomethodologist at 4:00 PM on July 16, 2008

Thanks for all those helpful answers so far! I think the "it's not where but who" was already something I heard, so I'm happy to hear it confirmed.

Thanks for the links as well! The Eran Magen story looks very interesting...

K.P. > Unfortunately the LSE doesn't do sociology... Thanks for pointing, though.
posted by meso at 1:41 AM on July 18, 2008