SeanDDavies

I have also decided not to go with the MA. Same reasons as you stated. Not personalized. I'm getting the impression a lot of "prestigious" universities (such as NYU and Columbia) use these MA programs to pump money into their schools and PhD programs. I'm glad you made a decision! I 'm gonna message you because I have a couple questions about the PhD program at Ohio.

I am very frustrated because I Can't reach a decision. First time applying and I was accepted into a PhD program with not great funding but great adviser with great connections. The school is not very highly ranked. I believe 105 in US news. On the other hand, I was accepted into an Ivy League Master's program which I would have to take huge loans for (probably into the $100,000), even though I would still probably have to take out loans for PhD anyway. I want to be in academia after graduating, so I would have to go to a PhD after graduating with MA. I think the Ivy League MA would look great when applying for jobs in academia and would probably get me into an swanky PhD program after. Where would you go?? Please help before I bang my head against a wall.

One more thing Juillietmercredi- how are you figuring the monthly payments for the loans. I thought payments were 15% of your income, which while making $60,000 would be around $750 per month.

Juilletmercredi is giving solid advice. There is one area where I have heard a different scenario. The people I have met who had degrees from prestigious Master's programs were accepted into several top ranked PhD programs. These students said that they believed getting the masters from a prestigious program is what got them in. Like she said "where you went and who you worked with matters in getting postdocts and in getting jobs". I would say the same applies for getting into a PhD program, it might not be the sole factor into getting into a great program but it is certainly a noticeable factor. Another thing to consider is after you finish your MA and move onto PhD, you will have to land at a program that is very well funded so that you don't accrue any additional debt while doing your PhD. Of course, the idea is that you would have an excellent chance of landing that spot coming from a prestigious MA program.

Keep us updated. I am interested to see which way you go. I am also speaking with a few people from the MA program. I have heard that when trying to get into academia that your adviser matters but the name of the school does too. If you look at all of the professors, 99% of them come from prestigious schools. Even if people say that it doesn't matter, it does. Unless your adviser at Ohio is that well connected to compensate. I would see where his students are now that will give you a clue.

Juilletmercredi thank you. That's what I'm leaning towards. There are to many questions about this program. Funding is a big part of it. I also got into a Master's at an ivy league school which would also put me in debt but at least then I think that would increase my chances of getting into a PhD program afterwards.

I agree with you 100% every time I talk to someone I lean one way or another. For me, it's weird because I got into Columbia without interviewing and it seems that a lot of people got into the master's program. Did you interview at NYU? Other than the ranking for Ohio, is the program a good fit? Is your adviser well connected?

I did not interview and was rejected for PhD accepted into masters with a scholarship.

Seems like everyone got into the masters?!?

I am in a very similar position. Except the PhD offer I got is not at all well funded. In my case, I would go into debt either way. The Master's program I was accepted into is from Columbia and I did get a scholarship but it would also be around $100k worth of debt. Seems like we are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

It seems that everyone that was rejected from PhD just automatically got in to the master's program. Everything about this seems very odd. How can an ivy league school accept just anyone? Is it all just to make money?

Really? What kind of bad things? I don't know much about them, especially since I had my mind set on the PhD and not Master's. It's all weird how they accept people without interview and everyone gets offered the $17k scholarship. I want to know more about it from people that are actually in the program.

I see. It's very weird to be given acceptance without even interviewing seems like they're just trying to get money. makes me question if there is value to their EdM degree at all. Would it make me more competitive later on when applying to PhD programs?

You mean they first accept their PhD applicants into Master's and then place them into their PhD program?

To my dismay I was rejected from Columbia's PhD Counseling Psych program but was accepted for their Master's program even though I did not interview. Does everyone get accepted into the Master's? How does funding work for Master's programs? I thought they didn't offer any type of funding but I saw on the results page someone say that they were offered a $17k scholarship. Where does one get one of those?!? I applied for one scholarship but I haven't heard anything about it.

rising_star: Do other programs in Counseling or Clinical offer more? Does COL factor into this? ?How much debt is typical for graduate school?

Would you reject an offer (if it's the only offer you have) based on funding? My field is Clinical/Counseling Psychology. I was offered $7k first year and $15k years 2, 3, and 4. Tuition is covered partially at $5k per year (it'll probably end up being around $8-10k a year). No insurance. This is my only option this year. The program is okay but the adviser is great. Is it worth the gamble to try again next year or just take this offer?

I say UGA. It's not like UGA doesn't have a strong name, plus the name seems to not be as important (at least that's what my advisors have been telling me lately). Funding is a big deal. It will affect your future. And the assistanships are important as well. Just my 2 cents!

Austin and NY couldn't be any more different. The culture in Texas vs. New York can be a bit of a shock. Have you ever experienced 100+ degree summers? So hot your sweat will burn. BUT, Austin is a fun place. Quirky and lots to do. I say stick to where you want to have your career.

They do offer partial tuition coverage. I believe it is around $5k per year but the tuition at the school is pretty cheap. It's not a PsyD program, it's PhD. I don't know how people live on 20k a year in the first place. I thought people took out loans for most of grad school but you're saying most dont?

YES to all! I love this thread! I agree to everything Mastershaakti said

COL is comparatively cheap. Apartments for $800-900 for a decent size one.

I was accepted into a program. I was guaranteed funding for 4 years. 20 hrs TA/RA for year 2,3,and 4 but only a very small stipend the first year (the other years' stipend isn't too great either $15k). Most of tuition is covered but not all and no health insurance. Is this unusual? Is this too low?

It's easier to get into Counseling Psych vs. Clinical but it's not a huge huge difference. I say focus more on what you like rather than which one is easier because neither is really "easy". Clinical deals with more severe disorders, counseling more every day mental wellness. Depends on what you are interested in and where your research interests lay.

The program has what I want. Fit.. in some areas yes and in others I dont know. It's hard to tell from only one visit. The reason why I'm so torn about it is probably because I really thought I would get in to my first choice so when I visited the other school I wasn't thinking too much about it.