DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION STUDIES Educational Foundations Major Application for Fall 2015 Admission APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 2, 2015 by 5:00 pm Submit by hand in 124 Lokey or mail to: Keri Baker Educational Foundations 5277 University of Oregon Eugene, OR 97403-5277 The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. This publication will be made available in accessible formats upon request. 1
We are pleased that you have decided to apply to the Educational Foundations (EdF) major. We are looking for individuals committed to social change through the field of education. Because enrollment in the Educational Foundations major is limited, not all students who meet the minimum admission standards will be accepted. The Educational Foundations major is designed as a two year program completed during the junior and senior year. This program of study leads to a bachelor s degree. This degree DOES NOT include or result in a teaching license. EdF graduates who wish to pursue a teaching license and master s degree are encouraged to apply to UOTeach or a graduate program elsewhere in the state or country. Things to know before completing the application: The applicant must have completed a minimum of 50 quarter credits by the time of application. The applicant must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75. The applicant must have recent and relevant experience working with children or youth in a professional setting. Experience can be volunteer or paid. Recommendations from any family member or high school teacher will not be accepted. Experience must have been within the past 2 years and may not include babysitting or nanny positions. It is recommended (not required) that applicants complete the following courses: EDST 111 EDST 220 EDST 225 EDST 231 EDST 471-472 or MATH 211-213 FHS 407 and 409 (optional provides an opportunity for classroom experience) 3 out of 6 science courses from the list in the EDF Program of Study. Criminal Background Check If you are accepted into the Educational Foundations major, you will be required to pass an FBI background check. You will be conditionally accepted to the program until the background check is completed. Admissions Timeline Applications will be processed starting on February 2, 2015. Applications will be reviewed by the Education Studies faculty. A letter of acceptance to the program or notification of denial will be sent by Week 9 of winter term. Orientation for the newly accepted Educational Foundations cohort will be scheduled in the spring. The exact date, time, and location will be announced in the decision letter for accepted applicants. 2
Application Checklist: All items listed below are required. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please submit all items in one large envelope or file folder. Please do NOT staple your pages or use page protectors. 1. Completed and signed application - pages 4-5 only. 2. Resume: include previous education, work experience, and volunteer experience. 3. Official college transcript(s). 4. One letter of recommendation (and completed recommendation form) from a recent university or community college instructor. 5. One letter of recommendation (and completed recommendation form) from a supervisor who can speak to your commitment and experience with working with children. Note: Experience can be volunteer or paid. Recommendations from any family member or high school teacher will not be accepted. Experience must have been within the past 2 years and may not include babysitting or nanny positions. 6. EdF admission essay: Please answer questions A and B. Present your thoughts in a clear, well-organized response. The committee is looking for a coherent, personal, and energetic essay. QUESTION A: The Department of Education Studies is looking for bright, thoughtful, interesting people to join our learning community. We want to know who you are beyond your resume. Please tell us about yourself in a typed response of 60 words or less. We encourage you to be creative. QUESTION B: From your perspective, what are the most current and relevant issues impacting education today. In the face of these issues, what is your role in producing change? How do you think the EdF major will support your efforts? Please respond in a typed essay of 600 words or less. 3
2015 APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION FOR EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS MAJOR (EdF) TRANSFER STUDENTS: Admission to the EdF major is not the same as admission to the UO. If you are accepted into the major, you must also apply to the University of Oregon for formal admission to the University. Please call the Office of Admissions at (541) 346-3201 or visit their website for more information: http://admissions.uoregon.edu/apply/ NAME: DATE OF BIRTH: / / UO EMAIL: UO STUDENT ID: GENDER: NON-UO EMAIL (Transfer students only): PHONE NUMBER: MAILING ADDRESS: PRESENT MAJOR: MINOR: CUMULATIVE GPA: If GPA is below the required 2.75, you may attach a note of explanation if there are special circumstances that you would like the admissions team to take under consideration. This information will be treated confidentially. Please be aware that explaining special circumstances does not guarantee that the GPA requirement will be waived. 1. How did you learn about the Educational Foundations major? 2. Are you an international student? Yes No If yes, from what country? 3. If you are an international student, have you completed all required AEIS courses: Yes No If not, which AEIS classes do you still need to take? To sustain strategic efforts made by the Department of Education Studies in support of all learners, you are encouraged to supply the following information. You may fill in all answers, some of the answers or none of them. Your application will be given the same consideration whether or not this section is filled out. Are you a first generation college student? Yes No Are you a Pathway Oregon student? Yes No Are you a student athlete? Yes No Sport: Do you speak a language other than English? Yes No Which Language(s): What is your speaking proficiency level? Beginner Conversational Fluent Do you identify on the LGBTQ spectrum? Yes No Are you a veteran of the U.S. Military? Yes No Do you identify as differently abled? Yes No How do you identify ethnically and racially? Ethnicity Hispanic or Latino Not Hispanic or Latino Decline to respond Race (please select all that apply) American Indian or Alaska Native Asian Black or African American Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander White Decline to respond Other: 4
SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION MATERIALS Place all of the below items in a large envelope or a pocket folder. Please do not use staples or page protectors. All items listed below are required. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Application: Complete and submit pages 4 and 5 of this packet. Make sure to sign below. Resume. Official college transcript(s). Both letters of recommendation, along with the appropriate completed and signed recommendation forms. EdF admission essay. Remember to include both questions A and B. VERIFICATION OF ACCURACY I agree that all information provided in and with the Educational Foundations application is accurate and complete. I also agree to all application materials being reviewed by the Educational Foundations selection committee. If I am a transfer student, I understand that admission to Educational Foundations is contingent upon acceptance to the University of Oregon. Applicant s Signature: Date: Please submit all required materials in one of the following ways: In person to: Keri Baker in 124 LOKEY EDUCATION Via mail to: Keri Baker Education Studies College of Education 5277 University of Oregon Eugene, OR 97403-5277 5
RECOMMENDATION FORM: ACADEMIC SECTION 1 TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT NAME: This recommendation will become part of your admissions file. It will be used only for admissions considerations and will not be disclosed to any unauthorized individual without your consent. Under the federal law entitled the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and the UO Student Record Policy, registered students are given the right to inspect their records, including letters of recommendation. Should you wish to waive your right of access to this recommendation, you may do so by checking the appropriate box below. All recommendations will be carefully considered. I waive access to this recommendation. I do not waive access to this recommendation. Signature: Date: SECTION 2 TO BE COMPLETED BY INSTRUCTOR NAME: 1. Potential of the applicant (check one) Exceptional High Adequate Low No basis for judgment 2. Recommendation of this applicant for admission to the Educational Foundations major (check one) Strongly recommend Generally recommend Recommend with reservations Do not recommend 3. Applicant rating Please use check marks to rate the applicant on the qualities below. This table identifies the abilities needed for success in the Educational Foundations major. The recommendations we find most useful expand on what skills, attitudes, and specific assignments that have produced the grades on the transcript and your numerical evaluation. Ability/Characteristic Exceptional Good Average Poor Not Observed Intellectual ability Creativity and original thought Judgment and maturity Motivation and productivity Quality of in-class discussion Quality of written expression Initiative Response to criticism Personal accountability and integrity Open-mindedness 4. Required recommendation letter We are looking for students who enjoy the challenge of intensive learning and demonstrate an ability to think and write critically. Please attach a separate letter that describes specific examples of the applicant s intellectual and academic ability, including any personal characteristics as demonstrated in your class. SIGNATURE: DATE:
RECOMMENDATION LETTER: EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN STUDENTS: A letter or recommendation from a recent supervisor in a professional setting who can speak to your experience and potential for working with children is required for application to Educational Foundations. Experience can be volunteer or paid. Recommendations from any family member will not be accepted. Experience must have been within the past 2 years and may not include babysitting or nanny positions. After completing the section below, instruct the person making the evaluation to return the form and the letter they write to you for inclusion with the rest of your application materials. SECTION 1 TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT: NAME: This recommendation will become part of your admissions file. It will be used only for admissions considerations and will not be disclosed to any unauthorized individual without your consent. Under the federal law entitled the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and the UO Student Record Policy, registered students are given the right to inspect their records, including letters of recommendation. Should you wish to waive your right of access to this recommendation, you may do so by checking the appropriate box below. All recommendations will be carefully considered. I waive access to this recommendation. I do not waive access to this recommendation. SECTION 2 TO BE COMPLETED BY THE PERSON WRITING YOUR RECOMMENDATION Signature: Date: SECTION 2 TO BE COMPLETED BY SUPERVISOR: Name: Relationship to student: Institution: The Educational Foundations (EdF) major is for undergraduates who are committed to social change. The purpose of the Educational Foundations (EdF) major is to prepare future professionals in education and related fields who are critical thinkers, well informed about theory and practice, and who possess the knowledge and skills that will enable them to be change agents in economically, racially, culturally, and linguistically diverse communities. A recommendation letter from a supervisor who can speak to the applicant s commitment and experience in working with children is required for use in the process of determining admission. Applications without this recommendation form are not considered for admission. As required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and the University of Oregon Student Record Policy, a student may elect to waive or not to waive the privilege of viewing this recommendation form. If the student has indicated that she/he has waived access to this recommendation, please place the completed form in a sealed envelope with your signature across the seal. You can then return the recommendation to the applicant. Page 1 of 2
1. Potential of the applicant (check one) Exceptional High Adequate Low No basis for judgment 2. Recommendation of this applicant for admission to the Educational Foundations major (check one) Strongly recommend Generally recommend Recommend with reservations Do not recommend 3. Applicant rating Please use check marks to rate the applicant on the qualities below. This table identifies the abilities needed for success in the Educational Foundations major. The recommendations we find most useful expand on what skills, attitudes, and specific qualities you have observed. Ability/Characteristic Exceptional Average Poor Not Observed Ability to establish rapport with children Judgment and maturity Motivation and initiative Response to criticism Open-mindedness Professionalism 4. Required recommendation letter We are looking for students who enjoy the challenge of working in an education setting. Please attach a separate letter that provides specific examples of the applicant s potential to work with children and include any personal characteristics as demonstrated in the context of your work with the applicant. SIGNATURE: DATE: Page 2 of 2