TL;DR- Version: (That's too long didn't read for non techies): This is not the same school I signed…read moreup for in 2013 but after 3+ years of turmoil the school is re-emerging into greatness. This last seminar I got a sneak peak at the new curriculum, website, and operational changes that are in final stages of implementation. The broken systems that plagued the registrar are actually fixed, the curriculum is on par with other schools and not so hippie slanted that it's hard to connect to mainstream psychology. And I no longer feel any anxiety about the school's future; rather I feel great hope and excitement. I almost wish I were now signing up for the Ph.D. for the first time. However I would have missed the great struggle that helped forge me into the confident Ph.D. candidate that I am. If you are considering this school talk to admissions and ask them to give you some current students contact info to hear their thoughts. Heck even ask for my info David Anderson and I'll answer any question, thought or concern with compassionate candor.
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THE WHOLE (Abridged For Internet Story)
I have been attending Sofia University since Fall of 2013, before the collapse. I chose to stay in the Ph.D. in Psychology program because my gut told me that my voice as a student would help ensure that the school recover and offer education that would both benefit students and the world. I want to candidly share my experience about the Ph.D. program from start to finish during this transition and provide my view of where the school is now, and why I believe it is a renewed beacon of light in Silicon Valley...and the world.
First let me address the negative reviews here. There are a lot of hurt feelings and valid complaints about what happened at Sofia, but now in the Spring Quarter of 2017 I can say that the ship has been fully righted and is in a far better place then it EVER was in my previous experience (starting September 2013).
When I first enrolled in the Global Ph.D. the curriculum was fixed and there were no electives. My admissions advisor failed to mention this, but after seminar and my first quarter I resigned and accepted this as a compromise for the transpersonal interactions. After the school began it's turbulent time the curriculum changed, beloved teachers, and chair struggled to serve as an administrator. To his credit, his gift was leading in a time of peace, not change.
I found the new core and concentration options exciting so I chose to stay with the school to support, and hold it accountable to the quality of education I demanded. The next year or two were rocky to say the least, and found myself playing ambassador advocate fighting for my education. This process was riddled with drama and growing pains with program implementation and sustainability.
I can happy say the new curriculum in the Ph.D. program is the program I wanted before I started at Sofia. It puts the school on par with other programs with tuition, curriculum requirements, and still and offers the opportunity to study what you want to study. I believe there will continue to be minor growing pains, but with the new student senate, Liz Li's compassionate ear, and the highly accomplished Ph.D. program Chair Marilyn Schlitz the ship of Sofia is back on course and gaining speed. Additionally, there will be opportunities to take classes across programs to support your career goals such as coding, business, and education.
Reality Check:
As I write this the new website, tuition and curriculum changes have not yet been published. The new operations officer made the wise decision to get rid of the problematic systems and bring in proven systems that are simpler and more reliable. The school is not the old ITP, which to me is a good thing, it felt far to patriarchal and a bit chauvinistic.
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To those who are no longer here:
In the process that got the school the place it is today we lost a lot of great students, wonderful faculty, staff, and chairs. They are not forgotten and are missed.
Should you enroll at the Sofia University, USA that we are today?
- I would say yes. The MATP program is as strong as it ever has been, the PH.D. program is great and continuing to get better and more interesting every quarter.
- MBA, CS: These are mostly newer programs but the vision and curriculum seem really solid. I was actually considering both the MBA and CS program in data science before I realized that I needed to finish my Ph.D., and work for a while before doing another graduate program.
- Transpersonal Technology Lab: This is a hidden GEM! I have a study already planned after graduation using things I learned from Dr. Jeffery Martin who heads up that space.
- Flexibility: The global programs and seminars are like no other, you can work, develop great relationships in school, and get an advanced degree in a field you've always wanted to study.