Lifesaver

I don't know that Simmons will get you better opportunities necessarily. Especially if you choose to leave Massachusetts. You have the ivy on your resume already. I think that's quite sufficient. If Salem State would work better for your wallet and your lifestyle, I say go there. All 6 of the schools I turned down for my MSW are ranked higher than the one I decided to go to. Money and happiness are two things I just couldn't gamble with.

I think it's also different depending on whether you went to a school like USC and did their online program versus going to a school like Phoenix that has no offline option and is strictly an online school. For some people, online programs are great options. I have a number of friends who are getting or have gotten their Nurse Practitioner doctorate mostly online, but from an offline university. Due to their work schedules and other factors, it was their only option as well. And they haven't had issues getting jobs. Personally, I took three courses online during the course of my first masters. I hated them. I really enjoy having face to face interaction with my peers, and posting back and forth, reading a ton of redundant stuff, was just not enjoyable. My professors were very hands off, too. For two of the classes I had one of my favorite professors who was absolutely fabulous offline, but didn't communicate at all online. He posted the syllabus, made short notes on assignments, and graded exams. I don't really like the idea of paying a heap of money to be self taught. You can only learn so much from a text book. That being said, if the online program works for you and your family, do it. I would definitely contact a few more employers and agencies to see whether or not you'll run into issues getting hired in the future, though.

Im up to cost of attendance but their numbers aren't entirely realistic. $1400 for room/board, fine, but I have a car to pay for, need to buy groceries, etc. I was able to switch my apartment to a smaller floor plan, which will help some, but jeez. It's not an easy adjustment when you've been working full time for 4 years.

I just spoke to them again and they said there's no way to appeal or increase.

I am in the process of going through my financial aid/loan stuff, and apparently, I misunderstood the concept of Grad Plus loans. I didn't realize it was amount determined for you, versus an amount you determine for yourself. Shame on me for not paying attention. It doesn't seem like I've been offered enough to cover my bills. My estimate is I'm going to be around $5,000 short per semester. The school I chose isn't even close to the most expensive school on my list of options, so I don't even understand how I'm still having issues with affordability. I'm going to try to petition with the financial aid office, but I don't know how successful I will be. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'd really prefer not having to take a private loan.

I got a $4,000 scholarship for the first two semesters. So that knocks my tuition down from approx. $28,000 to $20,000. I will need about $48,000 to cover tuition alone. My rent is pretty pricey and my car costs me a significant chunk of money. I will likely need an additional $25,000ish to live on for the first year. I'm hoping to spend less on rent the second year, as my program ends in December and I will likely either purchase a house or move into my boyfriend's house. So, all in all, I probably am looking at around $110,000 in loans, total. I got $20,500 in federal unsubsidized loans, which I'll max out annually, and then take the rest in Grad Plus loans. My family won't be contributing to this venture of mine, but I may end up getting some of the loan from them if they're able to get a line of credit on their house, since my parents won't charge me interest. Hah. I also plan on using the income based repayment plan and the public service loan forgiveness programs when I'm done. I'm jealous of your cheap rent! Ah!

Hey, don't worry about it too much. Maintaining a B is pretty standard in any graduate program across the board. In my first masters, we were only allowed one C (73 and higher) before getting dropped from the program... or having to sit a semester out to "regroup" if they liked you and you had a significant enough reason. Just stay focused, do your work, STUDY (I never studied in undergrad), and you'll be fine. For what it's worth, I finished my first masters with a 3.83 - only two Bs. One B+ and one B, on the 7 point scale (ie: 93 = A).

Yes, NYU sends money info later. Mine was like 5 days later.

Yes, plenty of people have heard back from them, but it's all department dependent. Call them.

Nope. You just lose your deposit.

I'm currently sitting in the NO airport on my way home after my week long house hunting trip. Let me share my experience with you all who may be interested. I used to live in LA and am very familiar with the city. I had every intention of living uptown, in walking distance of the uptown campus. After scouring Craigs List and coming up short, I got the name of a great realtor. He compiled a list of places for my original budget of $1200 a month (for a one bedroom). We looked uptown, in the garden district, in the warehouse district, in Broadmoor, Lakeview, Metairie, and Kenner over the course of the week. The first day I saw 10 apartments and disliked all but one. They were old, run down, some clean, some dirty, but all were in safe neighborhoods. We raised my budget some more, and I saw a lot of the same. Getting a nice apartment with a budget in mind has proven to be a little difficult without a roommate or two in the uptown area, since the majority of rentals are in converted houses and duplexes. Since I need to move June 1st and definitely wanted to see the place in person, I needed to secure something this week. I ended up renting a 1 bedroom (with an attached 1 car garage) at the Saulet apartments near the convention center for $1600. Pricey, a little bit, but willing to do it for the peace of mind of an attached garage. The 1 bedrooms start at $1145, which is a really great deal if you don't have a ton of furniture (575 sq ft) and don't want roommates. The complex is gated, has two pools, a gym, a PJs (coffee shop), is large pet friendly (rare in NO!!), and is seemingly largely inhabited by grad/med students and residents. The complex appears to be well maintained and didn't remind me of animal house like the majority of the uptown places. I've been told that a lot of stuff available for August gets posted in June, but you definitely don't want to wait til the last minute. And remember, you definitely get what you pay for in New Orleans. Also note that safety varies greatly from street to street, and safety is also a very personal concept, so it's important to go down there and check out properties in person so you can really get a feel for the exact location. Google Maps definitely helps, but it's not 100%. If you have any questions, PM me.

Of course I wonder if I made the right decision. Of course I have a ton of anxiety about it. But in the end, I turned down rank and prestige for happiness and less debt and that's what I'm sticking to.

So,everyone... Where have you decided to go?! I'll start. I'm going to Tulane Signed the lease on an apartment yesterday!

I'm declining my NYU and Fordham offers. Hopefully it'll get you guys still waiting an answer!

Each person's idea of run down is different. Highland Plantation had old carpet, old paint, old appliances, old everything. The apartment isnt gated, and was just grimey overall. Good for guys who don't care about the condition of their place, perhaps. Not somewhere I'd live personally. Place du Plantier is a bit nicer. I drove past there yesterday and they have remodeled some. Can't vouch for interiors or whether or not Highland Place has remodeled. I'm telling you, though, you can't walk to campus from either complex. They aren't walking distance to the other complexes I mentioned, either. They are building a new complex on Burbank (forgot the name) that you may want to check out. A decent one bedroom for $700-$900 is going to be hard to find. Perhaps you should check out Oakbrook Village on Nicholson. They have some units that are newer. I wouldn't recommend the older ones. It's on the bus route and you can bike to campus. Northgate is within walking distance, a little more expensive, and has more undergrads, but being able to walk is a big advantage. Though LSU has a lot of on campus parking and it's not that expensive. So if you have a car, you're golden. BR traffic can get pretty bad, but if you're willing to put up with it on occasion and you're willing to live a few exits away, there are a bunch of complexes on Essen Lane near the hospital. Mostly inhabited by hospital staff and younger working people. Also, if you have roommates, renting a house may end up being a much cheaper option.

Place du Plantier and Highland Plantation are not within walking distance, but are on the bus route. I know for a fact that HP has their fair share of undergrads, though. Both places were fairly run down when I was at LSU, but hopefully they've spruced up the places in the last few years. If you'll be having a roommate, I'd suggest living at Indigo Place on Nicholson. The apartments are nice, they have good amenities, and not many undergrads. Most places within walking distance aare populated by undergrads. It's nearly impossible for it not to be that way, considering there are 30,000 students and there isn't even enough on campus housing to hold all the freshmen. I'd also suggest checking out Southgate Towers and The Cottages. I lived at Campus Crossings Highland when I was an undergrad and other than the apartment being a little small, I had no complaints. I lived with a grad student when I was a senior, but it's primarily an undergrad complex. As is the Venue and the bulk of the buildings on Burbank.

Hey, I hear ya. I turned down expensive prestige (NYU being one of them) for a less expensive school that gave me a scholarship, and I'm pretty dang happy about it now! Good luck with your move!

School #2 won! I got a partial scholarship and it just makes more sense at this point in my life. Thanks to everyone who weighed in and gave advice!

Just be mindful, if you choose Hunter and leave the tri-state area, you're going to get a lot of blank stares when you say you went to Hunter. If that bothers you, choose the alternative.

Honestly, it's so dependent on your personality. For me, if I'm not happy WHERE I am, I'm not happy at all. It may sound stupid, but it's true. And my happiness level definitely affects my school work. So, why would I go somewhere I don't feel is a good fit for me/may make me unhappy and full of regret when it'll compremise my work. Granted, if the schools were not academically on-par, it make require a sacrifice. But if the two schools in consideration are both fabulous, I think I'd go with the happiness factor.

Ask a professor! Surely someone can help you publish. Where there's a will there's a way.

I chose LSU for undergrad without visiting. I loved every minute that I spent in Baton Rouge. This time around, I sent my deposit and was almost very set on a graduate school, but when I went for my visit to house hunt, I realized I HATED the location, and did not feel as if I was a good fit for the program. I think if I hadn't visited, I would have been very miserable for two years. So, it goes both ways. Manship has a pretty good reputation, from what I understand. Do you have any specific questions about BR/LSU?

Friend, a mission trip to the lower 9th and LIVING in the lower 9th are two different things. I wouldn't suggest it. I'm planning on living uptown by the main campus, at least for a while. The drive down St Charles or S. Claiborne really isn't that bad. I'm going down on the 16th to find a place. Based on what I've read on the med student page, the majority of them (and graduate students in general) live uptown or in the garden district. Some live in the CBD/Mid City area, but not too many. Also, some live in the West Bank or in the Metairie/Kenner area, but they said there's a disconnect because of the toll bridge/traffic, etc.

The summers in BR are really not THAT bad. The winters in Buffalo, however, are terrible. Yes, it gets hot in the summer in Louisiana, but air conditioners are on full force. You're not really going to notice. I never did. As far as apartments are concerned, a lot of the apartments directly off campus house a lot of undergrads. Some are furnished, some arent. It depends if you want to live near undergrads and if you have your own furniture to bring. Oh, and whether or not you have a car. PM me, I'd be able to help with location/complexes.

Definitely have to second the above. Philly is a WEIRD city. I didn't see the charm. Center City isn't worth the price tag and West Philly has no appeal whatsoever, other than being walking distance to the campus. I was given varying advice on living in West Philly. Some people said don't live past 42nd, others 47th, and even a few said up til 52nd. But south of Baltimore seemed to be the general consensus on north/south.