The COSC website says: "To help you with the process of composing the essay, we have provided examples of essays that have been approved by faculty as well as examples of those that have been rejected (see Student Handbook). We have also included a list of resources, such as websites and texts, which will be helpful (see Student Handbook). " Evidently, the Student Handbook mentioned was not on hand, so they sent me a different version that does not include any examples of essays (neither good nor bad). I must have this essay in by the beginning of January if I want to make the March graduation, so I only have one shot to get it right. In the essay, do I need to talk about every course/exam that is on my concentration proposal sheet or only some? My academic counselor is quick to respond and usually helpful, however, she does not have any "samples," as she calls them, to send me in time and she seems to think it would only "confuse" me anyway . Can a COSC alum help me out please? Thanks, Chris [email protected]
cmt, I've seen these example proposals, I just have to find where I've seen them. I'm on my way to a job interview and should be back this afternoon. I will look. I'm not sure if my admissions counselor sent them to me or if I pulled them directly from their web site. Down load the full student handbook and look, that might be where I saw them. I think there are 3 or 4 real proposals along with the advisor's markings on the papers. They do not want a list of the classes you took. They want an explanation of how all the classes (uh, tests in our case) weave together to make sense for the concentration and how you will utilize that information in your life. I only read them briefly. I promise I'll look when I get home and contact you here.
I saw those too, but that was before the website changed. I should have paid attention or downloaded them when I had the chance. The Student Handbook on the website is the same one I have, so it doesn't have anything either. I don't think they have them up on the site at all now - I've searched it several times now. Of course, now that I said that you will probably find it on the home page, but that would be OK too! I worked on it while at work this morning and I think it's done, but what I think and what the faculty think might be two different things. I hate having to "work in the dark." The boss just tells you to get X done and when you do it he wants it done a different way. I fear I'll be holding a faculty rejected proposal essay saying, "Why didn't you tell me you wanted...?" If I was not racing against the clock this would not be an issue, but alas, I am a slave to the hour hand. I hope the interview goes well - knock 'em dead .
When I got ready to write my essay, COSC was not very helpful with certain things. I asked for help so I could know if I was "on the right track" and all I was told was to have it check for spelling. I sent a copy of my essay to my advisor and she said it looked good but it was rejected. I was pissed. I was told that it read more like a resume than and explaination of how the classes/tests fit together. The next essay was accepted. I olny changed some wording and stressed different points. It took me about 30 minutes to correct. Would you like me to email you a copy of my rejected essay, accepted essay, and copy of my concentration proposal (list of classes / tests) let me know if you think it would help you.
FWIW: "Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium Davis Educational Foundation Grant Project Year 2: 2002-2003 " <> "n FY 2003, time was spent reexamining the general education outcomes for clarity and measurability. In addition the assessment committee conducted a pilot study to see if the concentration essay could be used to assess the COSC writing outcome and began a rewriting of the general education outcomes to make them measurable. A subcommittee of the core faculty began examining the concentration proposal process and recommended that it be replaced with a plan of study and an academic autobiography that could be used to assess general education outcomes. Funds from the grant were used to pay costs for these meetings." <> "Although COSC does not have a comprehensive assessment plan, it is using what assessment data it has to improve online teaching and learning. For example, data from the student evaluations pointed out that faculty needed guidance in how to grade team work so all faculty were sent a list of grading tips. The faculty have implemented the tips and reported back success. The number of student complaints has also decreased to almost zero. The student evaluations have also indicated they want more contact with the faculty. Again this has been relayed to the faculty. The review by the faculty of the concentration essay demonstrated that it is not meeting its purpose, and therefore the process is being redesigned." http://216.239.53.104/search?q=cache:Ur-HwowOqYwJ:[url]www.ctdlc.org/Evaluation/DavisDocs/DavisFinalReportYear2.doc+cosc+concentration+proposal&hl=en&ie=UTF-8[/url]
I just got your email - THANK YOU! Your situation is what I fear. I find it hard to believe that for something so fundamental to their program they don't provide more guidance.
Let me know how it turns out. I remember being worried about the essay and being devastated whenit was rejected; I know how you feel.
I've searched all over, you are right. It is gone from the site. Now I'm concerned as well as I was gong to use the written comments to guide my writing. Could I also get a copy of the rejected/accepted format you used? Thanks, [email protected]
I found the essay to be a fairly straightforward process and mine was accepted on the first round. The provided examples were helpful -- and I'm e-mailing you a PDF of the 2002 student handbook which contains the three examples. My essay didn't mention every COURSE in the essay, but I did discuss every subject area covered by courses in my concentration proposal. I didn't go into great or equal detail about each course, but I think you need to mention each one -- even if only in a single paragraph that discusses several similar courses. IMHO (keeping in mind I only did this once): The essay should be a narrative where you are presenting an argument as to why ALL the courses in your concentration proposal make sense as a "major." In my case, the biggest "stretch" was making sure that several photography courses (which some colleges considered Fine Arts) were applied to my Communications Concentration. I made my case under a subhead (condensed below): Photojournalism/Publication Design Photojournalism was my first love and my course work in this area includes classes in basic photography, color photography, and advanced photojournalism. I also took news photography courses involving shooting for college campus publications. The aesthetic and "photographic eye" I developed in this course of study became invaluable assets as I moved into a role directing publication design and assigning artwork to accompany articles. This training comes into play from the very first stage of publication creation, at the point of deciding the focus of an article and how it should be illustrated (and sometimes whether illustrations themselves should be the focus). ...BLAH BLAH BLAH Basically I presented an argument. I did so in a conversation, yet authoritative way, that I hoped would show how all these courses has contributed to current success and had direct application to a single area of my professional life. Best of luck, Dan (COSC-BA 2003)
I found the essay to be a fairly straightforward process and mine was accepted on the first round. The provided examples were helpful -- and I'm e-mailing you a PDF of the 2002 student handbook which contains the three examples. My essay didn't mention every COURSE in the essay, but I did discuss every subject area covered by courses in my concentration proposal. I didn't go into great or equal detail about each course, but I think you need to mention each one -- even if only in a single paragraph that discusses several similar courses. IMHO (keeping in mind I only did this once): The essay should be a narrative where you are presenting an argument as to why ALL the courses in your concentration proposal make sense as a "major." In my case, the biggest "stretch" was making sure that several photography courses (which some colleges considered Fine Arts) were applied to my Communications Concentration. I made my case under a subhead (condensed below): Photojournalism/Publication Design Photojournalism was my first love and my course work in this area includes classes in basic photography, color photography, and advanced photojournalism. I also took news photography courses involving shooting for college campus publications. The aesthetic and "photographic eye" I developed in this course of study became invaluable assets as I moved into a role directing publication design and assigning artwork to accompany articles. This training comes into play from the very first stage of publication creation, at the point of deciding the focus of an article and how it should be illustrated (and sometimes whether illustrations themselves should be the focus). ...BLAH BLAH BLAH Basically I presented an argument. I did so in a conversation, yet authoritative way, that I hoped would show how all these courses has contributed to current success and had direct application to a single area of my professional life. Best of luck, Dan (COSC-BA 2003)
Very interesting. I just logged into COSC's chat room that's open every Friday from 1-2pm and asked where the examples went to. I was told they were never available on the website but have always been in the student handbook which is only available to matriculated students - which I am not. They said I was mistaken that I had seen them - which I am not. Oh well, doesn't make sense to me that the proposal shouldn't be submitted until 4 months before graduation, which is what they said. Seems one is setting one's self up for possible stress and disaster doing it that way, but whatever.
