Hi,

I've been considering getting a doctoral degree in my field. I made it through undergrad and graduate school before being diagnosed. Grad school was very difficult in certain subjects, namely statistics and research design, or anything very detailed.

Problem is, doctoral studies I'm looking into (education) deal very much with these subjects. I'm a huge big-picture person, and my strong subject, as far as testing goes, is always the verbal/written language part.

I'm really interested in teaching at the college level, teaching methods classes, supervising student teachers and the like. I feel I really have something to offer, but the entrance exams and research requirements scare the heck out of me.

It feels like the time is now to begin if I'm going to do it at all. Does anyone have any advice? Has anyone else gone through this succesfully?

Should I look into getting tested in order to get accomodations? I'm not even sure what kind of accomodations would be available.

Thanks! - Heather

Look at doctoral [programs carefully. I actually was honest with the dept of education at auburn when i was considering getting a doctorate in education psychology. I told them I was concerned abot the level of support I would get if I entered their program. She was very eager to recruit me to my surprise, and told me that the education department of all departments, would be most likely to want to assist an adult going to school for a higher degree with a learning challenge. They offered to pick up my tuition costs, and adapt to my needs. That was a very nice offer. My family, at the time, could not move to Alabama, so I passed on the offer. However, it demonstrated to me, that if I ask for what I need, there will be a few programs out there which will respond in a positive manner. I would rather do a doctoral program with that kind of support rather than hiding the support I need. I'm sure there will be those who will reject such an applicant, but focusing on those that would welcome such an applicant is probably the smart way to go.

I'm sure you do have a lot to offer. Hop on it and get it done, so you can feel good about not allowing yourself to stand in the way of your own path and destiny.

Jonathan

Heather
I'm in just the same position as you (slightly different faculty). My dilemma is do I do a PhD in management (my current faculty) where I will be forced to do quantitative research, or move to linguistics department where I can do more qualitative research? My current thinking is to go where they are more supportive. In my case linguistics department seem much more eager to accomodate my limitations than the managemen department. Also the people in linguistics just seem friendlier.

I suggest you find people who are already doing the studies you plan to & see what they say. I found people already doing the course I want to do & they have great feedback.

It is important to get formally tested & register with the university as a disabled student to get accomodations. The disability support services are usually really helpful. I did this last term (which was the last term for my masters degree) & was glad I did it. They arranged a note taker for my stats class & longer time to do exams & assignments. This was in Australia so not sure exaclty how it works in Philly.

Good luck ;D

Thanks to both of you, Jonathan and D! I'm glad to hear that people have had experience with accomodations or at least a good attitude toward accomodations at this level of study.

And, D, you brought up a topic I hadn't thought about, qualitative v. quantitative research.

One good thing I didn't mention is that I already know the department, since I took a class with them a couple of years ago. They've actually pursued me, in fact.

Even so, I'm fighting that fraudulent feeling. If they know my ADD "weaknesses", they may think less of me. But it is important to find that out, I suppose. I wouldn't want to be there if they didn't support all of me, right?

I think I will start with talking to some current students and maybe I'll take a class in the fall. Thanks again for your advice!

- H