MSW - USC, NYU, or Columbia??

[.Brooke.]

Hi! 

I'm making my decision as to where to go to graduate school next fall to get my master's in social work. I've been accepted to USC, NYU, and Columbia and I'm having a very very very hard time making a decision!

I've received scholarships from NYU and USC, which help with the tuition, but by no means cover it. With all being said and done USC will still wind up costing me about 80k for the two years (before financial aid) NYU will wind up costing me 60k (before financial aid) and Columbia will be a whopping 100k (before financial aid or scholarship info).

I want to focus on clinical work and eventually open a private practice working with adults. I currently live in Los Angeles and would LOVE to find a valid reason to stay here. I went to college in NY so I'm not entirely opposed to moving there, but I do think I want to end up back in Los Angeles to practice. 

Does anyone have any input as to which school has the best clinical program?? I've heard USC sort of churns out MSW students, but I think it looks like an amazing school. NYU also looks incredible, I'm just not positive I want to move back to New York, and to be honest I think Columbia is the lowest on my list because it focuses more on policy. 

So any input would be AMAZING!!! Thanks

[TooExcited&Nervous]

I am definitely in the same boat but choosing between UPitt or NYU for advanced standing. However, UPitt is three semesters (fall, spring, fall), but NYU is just two. It still ends up being around the same amount cost wise. It truly boils down to housing and cost of living, but I am struggling. NYU offered scholarships and I am waiting from Pitt. I applied to Columbia but haven't heard back, however, I doubt I choose to go there. 

[Rainb0w97]

Hi! Which school did you end up choosing @brooke? I’m also deciding between NYU and USC. NYU offered me 15k a year and USC offered me 20k a year, so it’s a tough decision. I’m also interested in becoming an LCSW and working with adults! I’m originally from NJ, so NYC makes sense, but I might end up in LA anyway because my partner plans to work there and I definitely wouldn’t mind living in Cali. I’m basically just trying to decide which program is better suited to me. I’ve heard that NYU is super clinical (which I like), but I haven’t heard as much about USC’s program. Any advice is appreciated  

Edited May 5, 2020 by Rainb0w97