patienceshmaitience

Yeah you raise some good points about IOE. It was my top choice initially but because my husband would not be able to go with me (not a US citizen so getting a visa would be tough), I think I may stay in the US. Another thing is the cost of relocating to London. It's so pricey for a teeny little dorm room.

I applied to NYU and IOE as well and was accepted. I'm now trying to decide the same thing as you, except in reverse. I'm in the US and am concerned that IOE is not well known here, and thus may not be the best place to get a Masters if my hope is to ultimately stay in the US. Have you heard anything about the IOE programs, positive or negative? The big attraction for me was the cost. NYU's International Ed program for 2 years is over $50k, IOE is $20k!!

Can anyone offer some advice?? Even if you don't know the programs really well, can you help compare the schools? I am really struggling to decide.

I probably know as much about the program as you do so instead I can comment on Worcester. It's an urban setting that has a handful of universities within the city limits. I think that would be a bonus because you could meet lots of other students. Worcester is situated in the central part of Massachusetts so you could travel to NYC and Boston easily. I recently visited the Clark campus and while I really liked the school buildings themselves, I did not like the surrounding area. It may be the kind of place that you grow to love once you've been there for a bit and get to know the best spots though. I've also heard Worcester has a strong arts community so that's positive. Clark has a lot of international students as well so I think there would be a lot of support for students new to the US. BUT the winters in Worcester are tough! Very snowy and cold. Sorry that my response is kind of all over the place. I am considering the same option as you so I'm trying to weight the good against the bad. But honestly, considering that you would be coming to the US to study for the first time (?), I think D.C. is a better choice. You will get a better experience living there than central Massachusetts, but that's just my humble opinion.

Honestly, I know jack about statistics but I do know what it feels like to second guess school choices. I do regret the decision I made for my undergrad studies and wish I had really given myself more time before committing to the program I chose. That being said, if you are already feeling less than enthusiastic about it, you should really think hard before shelling out the time, money, and stress for grad school, especially since you have what sounds like a solid job offer. If ultimately your goal does not absolutely REQUIRE a Masters, why not take some time before committing to one? That's just my 2 cents.

Also, just a quick note, after graduation I would like to find a placement abroad so I can get much more experience in the field. The 1 year I had was a huge learning experience but still, 1 year... before I go back abroad for a longer period, I'd really like to have more of a foundation in research, project management, etc. and this is another reason I'd like to get the MA now. OK that's all I've got to add for now!

It could be an option but not a likely one, as I have let my job know that I will be leaving and have prepared myself (and my husband) for grad school. I have been working in education for the past 2-3 years and within non-profit programs as well, so I feel like my real world experience is strong enough to pursue an MA. I am lacking in academic experience which is my bigger hang up. Do you think it would be beneficial to wait before going to grad school? Can I ask why? Thanks for your feedback!

OK, so. I have been going over and over this decision in my head but am having huge amounts of trouble deciding. If anyone can offer some insight, I would appreciate it. This is going to be a long post but if you can offer me help, I can definitely help you in making the decisions you have as well!! Let me give you a little background and some info on my goals because I think that helps. I have an arts background that was very arts-focused and not terribly academic. After getting my BFA, I lived in N. Africa for a year and worked on various independent development and non-profits projects which really inspired me to pursue an MA in International Education/ Development. My career goal is to work for larger organizations that have education initiatives in the Middle East and North Africa. Ideally, I would like to work for a UN agency, such as the UNHCR or Unicef, or for another governmental organization like USAID. The programs I applied to and was accepted into are: Clark University- 2 year program-International Development and Social Change (40% tuition remission) Columbia University- 1 year program- International Educational Development (zero funding) NYU- 2 year program-International Education, with a focus on International Education Development (no word on funding) University of London Institute of Education- 1 year program- Education and Development (cheapest program but with no funding) I have major concerns with each program: Clark- it is a less recognizable, unranked (not a real word:) university and since I already come from a background that is not academic or social sciences-related, I fear it would not be a huge helper on my resume Columbia- I have heard this program is easy and is a 'degree mill'. I would hate to invest the money into it (was offered no funding) just to come out with a degree that is not taken seriously by organizations. I have also read complaints about the faculty but have not spoken to a single graduate to back this up. NYU- Cost. I haven't heard about scholarships yet but the tuition is insanity. Also, I am not sure if the program is well respected? University of London Institute of Education- It is well known in the UK but not so much here. Again, I fear, since my target is the larger orgs., that this program would not be well known and would not allow me to stand out to prospective employers. There you have it! A thorough appraisal of my choices. Any help is appreciated!!!!!

Hello, Has anyone applied for the Zankel Fellowship at Columbia TC? Any word on selection? I read that decisions would be released this week into the first week of April so I thought I'd check in!

I know for the IDSC program results will be emailed this week. I'm not sure if that helps you but maybe this means results for your program will be released this week as well!

Hi Marince, I recently heard from NYU as well and was accepted. It would be great to know what your academic interests are as we applied to the same programs! I am interested in international ed. development, with a particular focus on education in post-conflict countries and humanitarian issues. My dream job is to eventually work for an NGO like the IRC, or for a governmental body like UNHCR. In the future future, I would love to be a professor of development issues. Are you leaning towards one school or the other at this point?

I am struggling with the same thing. I honestly did not think I would be accepted into any programs and was then accepted by 3 out of the 5 with 1 waitlist. It's really difficult to make such a huge decision when so may factors come into play. One huge thing may be a good fit (for example, cost of tuition) but then 3 other things may not be a good fit at all (faculty interests, school location, student to teacher ratio, etc). Has anyone found a good system for making their decision? Pros/cons list? I've made a couple of those but it usually just puts them all neck to neck! Applied: Columbia TC, University of London- Institute of Education, NYU, Clark University, Lund University Sweden Accepted: Columbia TC, University of London- Institute of Education, NYU Waitlisted: Lund University Sweden Waiting: Clark University

It's different in that it is not a program focused on education within development, like the international education programs I applied for at the other schools. The International Development and Social change program is not focused on Worcester as much as some of their other programs and it gives you the freedom to explore a focus, so in my case, education within the context of development. I applied for a handful of programs that are each pretty different from each other so that makes the choice even more difficult. I'm with you on your feelings about Worcester. I visited the campus and had a hard time picturing myself living there, which is why I'd love to see how other people felt about Clark. I'm thinking about contacting some alumni to see because I'd hate to pass up a good program due to misgivings about living in Worcester :-/

Has anyone else applied to Clark University in Massachusetts? I haven't seen many people mentioning it in the forums so I am curious. I applied for the International Development and Social Change program and the more I read about it, the better the program seems! I applied initially because it isn't too far from where I live currently but have been hesitant because it's not a ranked school (I believe they purposefully withdrew from being ranked). If I get accepted (no idea if I will be), do you think Clark would be a strong school to have on a resume? Have you heard anything positive or negative about the IDSC program? Any input is appreciated! **** Applied: Columbia TC, University of London- Institute of Education, NYU, Clark University, Lund University Sweden Accepted: Columbia TC, University of London- Institute of Education Waiting: NYU, Clark University, Lund University Sweden

Hello, The only thing I can add is that the Columbi program can actually be completed in 1 year if you go full time. It is not a 2 year program. That is what attracted me to it in the first place! Unfortunately I did not apply to Harvard so I don't know much about that program. Good luck with your decision!