omelette

Hi! I've narrowed it down to Stanford vs. Berkeley and would love to chat with you more - PM me. At this point I'm leaning 60-40 towards STEP. Let us know which you choose! For me, it comes down to these considerations: Stanford PROS: better courses, program, syllabi. higher level of support. thoughtful, intentional teacher placement. one full-year student teaching placement. better financial aid. high level of communication and transparency. feels more welcoming. more resources. CONS: younger, less diverse cohort. having to live in Palo Alto, fewer living options. possibly less diverse teacher placements, although I think you can advocate for a placement with more ELL students or a Title 1 school. more recent adoption of social justice lens. Berkeley PROS: more radical and progressive. history of social justice advocacy. more diverse cohort, more diverse faculty. more invigorating location and campus, less sterile than Stanford/Palo Alto. lower cost of living. arts integration and restorative justice courses. CONS: stingy and not up-front about financial aid (how is this social justice/equity?!). two separate student teaching placements. less supportive, flexible, communicative. less thoughtful teacher placements. more disorganized. overemphasis on the Identity Statement. lacking in methods courses. less welcoming, more aggressive.