Sixth & Brilliant
Pursuing Academia's Highest Credential
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Midway VLOG Review of Summer Term '13
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
I survived Week 1
My first week of doctoral coursework was very fruitful. Both
of my professors were extremely knowledgeable, professional, and recognized
experts in the field of education. I was swamped with reading and assignments.
I love to read, but I’m typically a slower reader, especially when I feel that
I need to take notes-which I nearly always do. There is obviously a lot of work
involved in this program, but I knew that there would be so there’s no call to
complain on that front.
The other student’s in my cohort are all extremely friendly
people with diverse backgrounds and positive attitudes. I feel blessed that I
can go through this with them. I think
that in a classroom full of extroverts, I may be the only introvert. I would
bet that my research and public speaking skills will both improve vastly over
the next several years.
I do feel a little bit out of my league, but I typically
feel the same way with every new job I've ever started- it takes a little bit
of time for me to get into the groove. I’m doing my best to stay cheerful and
tweak my time management skills to accommodate these new life changes. Week 2
of 8 of the Summer Term starts tonight at 6PM in the RMU Library. Wish me luck!
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Buying Books for 1st Term
It’s real now. I just bought my books for my first doctoral
courses. I only had to purchase four books initially. I opted to buy online
through Amazon.com. I elected 2-day shipping. My total in charges was $384.30.
This might seem like a lot of money and I certainly do not like to part with my
hard earned dollars, but compared to my prior studies I felt as though I had
gotten a deal. The RMU bookstore had ordered, and reserved a copy of each of
the textbooks for us. By ordering from Amazon rather than the campus bookstore
I saved over $100.00. Bear in mind that I am not, nor have I ever been a
wealthy man.
I purchased my first car in 2001. I was in high school and
had saved money from working as a caddy at the Fox Chapel Golf Club and a park attendant
for a children’s park in my township. I paid only $500.00 for a four door 1987 Chevy
Cavalier. The car was an obvious lemon- but I loved it. Today the reality of
being a graduate student is that you must be prepared to spend more on books
per semester than I did on my first vehicle.
Meaningful Learning
with Technology (4th Edition). Howland, Jane L.
Qualitative Research in Education: A User’s Guide. Lichtman,
Marilyn
Reading Statistics and Research (6th Edition).
Huck, Schuyler W.
Distance Education: A Systems View of Online Learning.
Moore, Michael G.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
"Bobby Mo!"
I am pleased to announce that I was accepted to each of the
doctoral programs which I applied for. I have decided to commit to studies at
Robert Morris University. I made this decision for several reasons. First is
that Robert Morris has an outstanding reputation in the Greater Pittsburgh
region. In academics the university is rapidly expanding. In athletics, their
Division 1 programs in hockey and basketball have garnered nationwide
recognition. RMU is military friendly. My remaining GI Bill benefits will cover
almost two years at RMU versus about a year at the University of Pittsburgh
because of how they schedule courses. This, coupled with the tuition remission
benefit offered by Carnegie-Mellon, makes Robert Morris the most affordable
institution within driving distance. The program will take at least three years
to complete, but is delivered in a format which allows me to continue my
current employment status and juggle life, money, and the business of being an
adult. I’m excited to begin my studies at Robert Morris University and feel
blessed that I am able to continue my formal education.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Applying for Admission
The search for a doctoral program that was the right fit for
me was not a simple one. My academic background included a BA in History from
Thiel College and an MS in Business Ethics & Leadership from Duquesne
University, both in Western Pennsylvania. I never graduated near, let alone at
the top of my class. My test scores were average. The fact that I was a combat
veteran of the Iraq Campaign seemed to carry very little weight with most
universities.
I did know that I wanted to be the best, and so I started
looking at doctoral programs at only the finest institutions. The first program
that I scouted was at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in
Philadelphia. I interviewed briefly with a doctoral admissions representative,
toured the campus, and sat in on an economics course. It was impressive. I felt
that I could keep up better than most, but there were problems. Firstly, I was
not wealthy. Philadelphia was a far more expensive city to live in than my home
of Pittsburgh. The program had many costs associated to it. I simply could not
afford it. Secondly, my mother’s cancer had turned terminal and I was needed at
home. Thirdly, I did not have the Ivy League background or pedigree that most,
if not all of the people whom I met that day had. I'm not one to sell myself short. I know that I can accomplish any goal, but there are also fiscal and emotional realities which must be acknowledged. Wharton was an amazing
school, but it was not destined to be.
I transitioned quickly from the military into civilian
employment, working in Human Resources for Carnegie-Mellon University. I turned
my attention to CMU’s Ph.D. program at the Tepper School of Business. CMU did not have any part-time doctoral programs at the time. I would have had to quit my job to pursue CMU as an option. Their programs also would have taken a much longer time to complete compared to programs at other local universities.
I again turned my attention elsewhere. I got the idea in my head
that it would be a good idea from a professional standpoint for me to continue
my education at Pennsylvania universities. I also knew that I wanted to continue
working if possible, as experience seemed to be just as important as education,
if not more so. I steered clear of the for-profit colleges and universities. I investigated doctoral programs at the
University of Pittsburgh, Robert Morris University, Drexel University, and
Eastern University. I felt that I needed a doctoral degree in order to advance
in my career, make more money, have an honest chance at teaching at the college
level, be taken seriously at top-tier universities, and allow for personal growth.
Every institution that I applied to was a good one, and one
that I would be proud to attend.
I took both the GRE and the GMAT examinations. I paid to have my curriculum vitae professionally done.I obtained letters of reference from former professors, supervisors, and volunteer organizations. I tirelessly worked on applications and essays. The only thing left to do was to say a prayer and apply.
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