lepetitfaon

To El Consejero, I cannot speak to Brooklyn as I didn't apply or City as I never heard from them oddly enough so I'm going to assume rejection (I kind of figured I didn't really follow the instructions of the application and forgot to attach the keys to my transcripts oops!) However, after looking into Hunter it just didn't feel as organized and streamlined as other programs. They say most students are able to graduate within two and a half years. Big downside for me as other programs it's two years start to finish. I personally hate the idea of evening classes and classes 4 days a week. Many of the other programs you attend class two days a week and three days off for internship. Personally this schedule appeals more to me as I'm late 20's career changer and all of my friends and significant other live a standard 9-5 schedule. I saw Hunter as a sure way to never see a soul from my normal life and feel isolated. I do plan to work part time during my schooling but the hours I work are very odd and early so having to be at school late and wake up at 5 AM to get to work for my early am shift would be exhausting. At the end of the day Hunter wasn't just a practical fit for my life and I think as good as a program is or as good as a school is that aspect cannot be overlooked. With that said it sounds like Hunter would be a great fit practically speaking for you and you should go for that. I think at the end of the day reputation of a program is a lot less important than what it can do for you and your life, where it fits with you and your life. To CaffienatedCounselor congratulations on the big decision! I actually just dropped my deposit off at Baruch today, like you I'm back where I did my undergraduate studies in the same department. I'm sure I would have been happy elsewhere but sometimes it's good to go with what you know when it's a major decision so I totally respect your choice as I did the same thing! I'm doing a masters in disability studies at the CUNY GC btw. Good luck with your studies! I think given you want to get your phd later it's a great decision on your part.

I am in a similar position as you - accepted to Fordham, Hunter, Baruch and waiting to hear back from Teachers College. I too have been weighing the reputation of a school vs practical fit and thought I would share some thoughts I've had. I met with a friend who recently graduated from Teachers College who informed me that she applied to numerous internship placements and competed for placement among not only her own classmates but mental health students from other schools as well as social work students from her school and others. She landed a "very good placement" but many of her classmates found themselves in less desirable internships. Her take was that her resume demonstrated more experience than many of her classmates who came straight from undergraduate studies and lacked experience in working directly with people. She informed me there were students from less prestigious schools also at her site but like her were older and had quite a bit of experience prior to graduate studies. My take away from this is that the reputation of a school is likely to bolster the resume of someone inexperienced but is not necessary to get a good internship, especially for those with quite a bit of prior experience. Based on your post it sounds like you have plenty of prior experience. Given that Baruch is such a new program they certainly have fewer connections than other programs do but if you found a site to volunteer at already then it sounds like you're fully capable of reaching out to prospective places and building a connection yourself. I have quite a niche area within mental health where I would like to work so the ability to take such a hands on role in my internship placement is actually a positive attribute of a program but I can see how one wouldn't wish to be burdened with having to take such a hands on approach while also focusing on their studies. I cannot speak for the graduate program at Baruch but I attended Baruch as an undergraduate in psychology and absolute loved the faculty, location, building, price, etc. It is actually a far more competitive program than Fordham. According to Peterson's the acceptance rate is 36% at Baruch's mental health program vs Fordham' 73%. I am also put off by programs that do not interview potential students given so much of counseling is how you communicate one on one with people! I have to say it depends largely on what you see yourself doing. If you plan on having a private practice then the name of your school can certainly help. If you're business savvy and know how to market yourself or are willing to pay someone to do so then this matters less. If you plan on continuing your studies after a master's research will obviously be an important part of your resume and Fordham has A LOT more to offer in that department. To me this is the biggest thing that Fordham has to offer over Baruch. However, there are still possibilities at Baruch. But if you ultimately see yourself in a non-profit, clinic, hospital, or school setting I cannot stress enough how NOT worth it is to take out loans for your studies. I was a teacher previously and thankfully graduated without debt but many of my coworkers from far more prestigious schools were swimming and debt and here were working at the same place for the same paltry salary. Personally it doesn't make sense to go into debt for a job that has such a minimal starting salary and low ceiling. I too am considering a PhD after my masters and am also concerned about attending a newer and lesser known program. I have decided to do a concurrent yearlong masters through CUNY Grad Center related to my relatively niche mental health interest in hopes of that rounding out my resume and making me a more competitive phd applicant if I decide to pursue that in the future. Perhaps if you do research while doing your master's this will give you an edge and make up for attending a lesser known program. I honestly feel that if you're hard working, competent, and experienced you'll be fine regardless of where you go. Good luck!

Hi there, Currently also in the application process and received acceptance from Hunter and interviewed twice at Baruch and am trying to decide between the two. Is there a reason you are leaning towards Hunter? I am wondering if it is better to have an MS Ed vs an MA given in a few years only programs housed within school of education will receive accreditation from CACREP which will be necessary to practice at that time. However, given we will be earning out degrees before that goes into affect and will be grandfathered in I'm not sure it matters so much. Like you I'm confused between the choices!