dkouznetsova

Very similar situations indeed! Why Bay Area? I have lived in NYC almost my whole life and while I really love it, San Francisco spoke to me in the right way - it has a NYC vibe but is close to nature and functions at a slightly slower pace. Public transportation can be a hassle with all the bus transfers in SF yes, but it's still easy to get around without a car - coming from NY and our very thorough public transportation, I am spoiled in that way. You can even walk around the city - I like to walk. But there are reasons I love San Fran which I cannot explain - just a feeling, you know? I traveled there twice last year because of that feeling, and am planning to visit for a few weeks next month as well. Ultimately, I would live to move there (or try my hand at that), and I was hoping graduate school would help me with that, but alas Cal rejected and SFSU waitlisted! I know the importance of studying social work in the area where you want to live, but we all make changes - nothing is impossible. I just wanted to try on the Bay Area for size! LA is so spread out that it would be impossible to have a good all encompassing transportation system, and you can't walk there for sure! I was in Hollywood and walked for 8 hours and got absolutely nowhere, only to have a friend drive me back to where I started in 5 minutes! LA has a lot of negative stereotypes which I do not think much of, but I don't really know anyone there - so that makes me anxious especially if I have to learn to drive and own a car moments before I move there! Columbia is also 40k, I have gotten 7k in aid (general scholarship fund + work study grant), but everything else will be loans. So that is something for you to consider as well. Living iin NYC is not cheap. LA is the cheapest of the SF -NY - LA triad. But, yes, you wouldnt need a car unless you plan on leaving the 5 boroughs often. I hear good things about Columbia as well. I have two friends in the MSW (advanced standing, clinical track) program there and they are positive. The negative things I have heard have come from this forum actually! (Not worth the money, only the name, etc, etc). But it is really about the placements. Do you know anything about the placements at USC? I can't believe Columbia still has not gotten back to you! I have until the 8th (that's one week in total from when they accepted me) to respond to USC. Maybe I should extend? This isn't an easy decision to make! Good luck!!

I submitted my application around November 18th. Received my acceptance March 5th. Am still juggling schools. I was hoping to get into Cal but was rejected, and waitlisted at SFSU. USC accepted me but LA isn't my most desirable place to live - but I want to move out of NYC, so I am trying to decide between USC and Columbia. Any suggestions/tips?

I got my USC acceptance letter March 31st, and they want my deposit by April 8th. I need more time to think! Columbia v. USC! Have you heard?

Hey, I applied and was accepted into USC as of April 1st. Have you heard back? I don't know much about the program, any info you've got? I have to mail my decision by April 8th?!?! Which is ridiculous! How is it possible they are only giving a week? Thanks!

Hi everyone - I was accepted into the 2 year MSW program at both USC and Columbia. I know a few people who are in or who have graduated from Columbia's program, but I do not know much other than what is on the website about USC. I have lived in NYC my whole life, and was reeeeeally hoping to get into a school in the Bay Area - that's my desired place to live, but am left with LA v NY. While I am itching to make a change, I don't know enough about the USC program to make a decision. Also USC is giving me at 8 days, while Columbia is giving me 2 months to send a deposit!! I don't want to move to LA just for the sake of living somewhere new. I also don't drive so if I choose USC, the next few months will have to involve moving out of my family's home, learning to drive, getting a car, etc. etc. None of which I am nervous to do, but I need to know I am making the right decision in terms of programs (placements)! Help?