Addendum:

I forgot to answer the last of Angela's questions from her comment to my last blog, regarding how hard it is to get into UMB. (By the way, I answered her question about hotels via email, so please leave a comment if anyone wants more information on staying near campus). So, I'm not exactly sure how to answer the question about being accepted into the program. You do need to take the GRE as part of the application process, and you should have at least an average score, if the admission process is still the same as it was a few years ago. (Remember, you can keep taking the GRE to better your score). I'm not sure exactly what score they're looking for, and I honestly don't even remember what my score was, but I don't consider myself a genius or even close to a genius, so don't let the GRE score thing scare you. Of course, they consider a lot of other things too, such as what your goals are, your life and professional experience, and what you can bring to the program. The application requirements include a few essays, college transcripts, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation. I think you can actually apply online from the UMB website, but you can check that out. The program is very small, and from what I see, approximately 7 people start the program each year. I don't know how many people are turned away, but I didn't have a hard time being accepted with a master's degree from Temple, experience as a mental health clinician, and acceptable GRE scores. So, in other words, I encourage you to apply and see what happens. If you have specific questions about the application process, I encourage you to contact Donna Harrington, the department chair. Ann :)

Posted by Ann Buckwalter at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Welcome back! I usually write my blog on Wednesdays, so if you leave a comment, I will most likely respond on a Wednesday. Thank you Angela, for your excellent questions.

There are 6 core classes that incoming doc students are required to take during their first year. (Unless you are part-time, then you take them over the course of two years, but it seems more recommended to go full-time your first year if possible so your new knowledge is fresh in your head for qualifying exams). The core classes for fall are Theory, Statistics I, and Research Methods I; for spring it's Policy, Statistics II and Research Methods II. Then, at the end of May, you take 4 qualifying exams (Statistics, Policy, Theory, and Research Methods). The classes are great, probably because the professors are great. (And no, I don't think they actually read my blog, so I'm not trying to get on their good side :) ). The coursework is taught in a way that is pretty easy to understand; the professors are good at breaking the concepts down so you don't have to be a genius to do the work. Also, don't let the thought of Statistics scare you. It tends to scare everyone at first, but it ends up being most peoples' favorite class, no kidding. If you have specific questions about any of the core classes, please leave me a comment.

Qualifying exams...ahhh....the memories... Most people enter the program already worried about qualifying exams, and honestly, I wish they were kept a secret because there is absolutely no need to worry. Quals at some other schools are nearly impossible; at UMB, I heard that only 1 person in the history of the program didn't pass them. Now, I'm not saying they're easy, I practically killed myself studying for them the two weeks before I took them. But, the good news is that all of the professors teach their classes directly to the qualifying exams. So, if you do well in your classes, and most people do, you should be fine on the quals. Also, the last week or two of class each professor does practice tests so there are no surprises when you get to the quals. And, one more great thing, you can use all of your books and notes when you take the quals! Other schools make you take them with just you and the computer, but not here. It's such a supportive environment here. The professors want you to succeed and they will go out of their way to make that happen. It makes sense, doesn't it? If we, the students, are successful, then UMB looks good.

So, that's all for now. Angela, I will get back to your specific questions about hotels as soon as I learn how to respond directly to a comment (hopefully later today or tomorrow). Sorry, I'm still learning how to blog.

Take care, Ann :)

Posted by Ann Buckwalter at 11:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Welcome back to my blog! By the way, please feel free to leave a comment or question for me after any of my blog entries. I'm never far from my computer, so you can expect a quick response. (I've actually been told that the internet (and email) is my heartbeat, but I don't know what they're talking about! :) )

I'm sure there's many of you that would love to go back to school and get your PhD, but perhaps you're not sure you can do it because of financial or family reasons. As a 30-year-old single mother and previous full-time social worker, I can tell you it is possible. Most doc students that attend the UMB SSW full-time agree to be graduate research assistants, which is a 20-hr/wk (or 10-hr/wk if you choose) position that pays a decent salary, allows students to be involved with some exciting and new research, covers health insurance, AND covers the full cost of tuition. (Even out of state tuition, as in my case). Plus, many of the positions allow you to do some or most of the research from home. In addition, I receive Stafford loans (the same as any undergraduate or graduate student) to cover the additional costs of my living expenses. And just to paint a clear picture of my additional costs of attending UMB, because I live so far away, last year I stayed in a hotel 2 nights/wk during fall semester and 1 night/wk during spring semester, plus I was taking 6 light rail trips/wk to save time on traffic, and it takes about a half gallon of gas to take my Focus round trip to school and back. So, if you live in Maryland (or even Washington or northern Virginia) you won't have to spend nearly as much on travel expenses or take out as much in student loans as me.

Regarding family commitments, I have a 6-year-old son who started kindergarten last year and is in first grade this year. Last year was a very intense year for me at school, I'm not gonna lie, because I had to take the 6 core classes and then qualifying exams at the end of the year, but I made it, and so did my son. I have an awesome roommate and family who are willing to help out with my son, and I think that is very important if you're thinking about returning to school. I needed to know that somebody would be available to drop my son off at school and pick him up on days when I had class, and also to watch my son so I could study uninterrupted at regular times. Although it was hard at the time, looking at the big picture, it's worth it. Someday soon I'll have my PhD and (hopefully!) a great job so that I won't have to worry about my financial security or how I'm going to afford college for my son. Also, once the year of core classes are done, much of the pressure lessens. This year I travel to UMB two days/wk, I don't stay overnight, and I'm available to pick my son up at school at 2:30pm three days/wk and even volunteer in his class once a week.

Next time I will talk a bit more about qualifying exams (because new students are usually terrified about them unnecessarily even before they start classes), as well as my current dilemma - trying to narrow down a topic for my dissertation. Talk to you soon! Ann :)

Posted by Ann Buckwalter at 8:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Hello! Welcome to my blog. I've never done a blog before, so this is a whole new experience for me.

I'm a doctoral student in the School of Social Work at UMB, and I'm in the process of completing my final three classes (2 this semester and 1 next semester) while also narrowing down my dissertation topic. Normally a doc student takes 6 core classes the first year, 2 research classes and 4 electives the second year, and then 1 more elective and dissertation credits after that. However, I did my first year at a difference school and transferred to UMB for my second year. So, to make a long story short, that means I ended up doing my electives my first year at the other school, my core classes during my second year (which was my first year at UMB), and now I'm finishing the required second year UMB research classes even though I'm technically a third year student. That doesn't make sense to a lot of people, but it's working out, so that's what counts.

I'm very much enjoying my time at UMB, and I have no regrets whatsoever about transferring. I have to drive at least 2 1/2 hours to get here (longer depending on traffic), but honestly, I would drive twice as far if I had to just to come here. (And I don't like to drive, so that says a lot!) I'm from Lancaster County, PA, so it's quite a culture shock to leave my house in the morning where I see farms and horse-and-buggies out my window and come to downtown Baltimore. However, I quickly learned how I need to present myself when walking in Baltimore and when I take the light rail (public transportation) in Baltimore as compared to when I'm in Lancaster County, and I've gotten used to it.

Thank you for reading my first blog. I will soon post again and give more information about my classes and the life of an adult student. Ann :)

Posted by Ann Buckwalter at 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)