GRADCAFE! Help me pick the best scenario

[90sNickelodeon]

I have no money (despite having a job) and 25k undergrad debt. This is for an MA in Higher Education Administration.

Columbia: at sticker

Michigan: at sticker

NYU: at sticker but with a modest stipend

UCONN: Full ride + stipend

GWU: 96% tuition remission

Maryland: at sticker but w/ instate tuition

Assume I have to take out massive loans.

Any help would be appreciated.

[tem11]

I don't know anything about the programs' comparative strengths and weaknesses, but GWU is a highly respectable school. It seems like an excellent balance between great reputation + minimal debt.

[90sNickelodeon]

I don't know anything about the programs' comparative strengths and weaknesses, but GWU is a highly respectable school. It seems like an excellent balance between great reputation + minimal debt.

Thanks for your insight!

In terms of respectability for my field, it would be ranked thus:

1. Michigan

2. Columbia

3. NYU

4. UCONN

5. GWU

6. Maryland

Edited March 15, 2010 by 90sNickelodeon

[geochic]

I'd go where I was offered the best financial package, but that's just me-

Have you visited the departments? Which program do you feel is the best fit? What school is your favorite? least favorite? It's a big decision for sure and you have to determine what factors weigh most heavily on your future-

but if money is the biggest factor than UCONN is your best bet. Money is definitely a biggie for me. I do not want any additional "massive debt."

Good luck with your decision!

[fadeindreams]

You're worrying about the prestige vs debt of a higher ed degree? Really? You know what your salary is likely to be with the degree in hand, right?

I'd take zero debt and median prestige way before I'd bother with massive debt and premium prestige. That's a very easy choice. If you were speaking about a degree where prestige actually makes a difference in what job you land and where, such as an MBA, then you can start viewing massive debt as worth it. To distinguish yourself in Higher Ed you'll need a doctorate. Period. I'd get the MA in hand, work a few years in a university and then figure out what program/discipline you want to enter for your Ed.D or Ph.D.

Furthermore, you might want to define your career goal so that you can question people currently in your "dream" position about how they got there. I think that their answers are likely to surprise you. Many probably do not even have a Higher Ed background.

I am surrounded by people with higher ed degrees making the same amount that I do with a BA only. Some of those people are from prestigious institutions, others from the institution I work in. Doesn't matter a lick at entry level. It will, however, help them obtain higher positions than I could with my current level of education. In fact, I am at a dead end position when it comes to my current level of education. They, however, will find their dead end soon enough without at least an Ed.D. Many of them know this and are working on their doctorates part-time with the tuition discount provided by the university I work at.

Do yourself a favor and contact people that have been in the workforce for awhile. They'll tell you something similar to what I am saying. There's a glut of recent Higher Ed graduates. Read the Chronicle. You'll see lots of articles about the state of higher ed jobs. Not saying there aren't great jobs available. Rather, I'm saying that you should take the free degree and distinguish yourself otherwise. Easy choice.

Edited March 15, 2010 by fadeindreams

[fadeindreams]

Please don't think I'm being rude, either. I'm just trying to be helpful. Best of luck to you in your decision. I'm envious of your choice. Perhaps a bigger factor to which program you should choose should be where you'll live for two years.

[90sNickelodeon]

You're worrying about the prestige vs debt of a higher ed degree? Really? You know what your salary is likely to be with the degree in hand, right?

I'd take zero debt and median prestige way before I'd bother with massive debt and premium prestige. That's a very easy choice. If you were speaking about a degree where prestige actually makes a difference in what job you land and where, such as an MBA, then you can start viewing massive debt as worth it. To distinguish yourself in Higher Ed you'll need a doctorate. Period. I'd get the MA in hand, work a few years in a university and then figure out what program/discipline you want to enter for your Ed.D or Ph.D.

Furthermore, you might want to define your career goal so that you can question people currently in your "dream" position about how they got there. I think that their answers are likely to surprise you. Many probably do not even have a Higher Ed background.

I am surrounded by people with higher ed degrees making the same amount that I do with a BA only. Some of those people are from prestigious institutions, others from the institution I work in. Doesn't matter a lick at entry level. It will, however, help them obtain higher positions than I could with my current level of education. In fact, I am at a dead end position when it comes to my current level of education. They, however, will find their dead end soon enough without at least an Ed.D. Many of them know this and are working on their doctorates part-time with the tuition discount provided by the university I work at.

Do yourself a favor and contact people that have been in the workforce for awhile. They'll tell you something similar to what I am saying. There's a glut of recent Higher Ed graduates. Read the Chronicle. You'll see lots of articles about the state of higher ed jobs. Not saying there aren't great jobs available. Rather, I'm saying that you should take the free degree and distinguish yourself otherwise. Easy choice.

Awesome response! Thank you!

[Kinkster]

Given your rankings, I'd go with UCONN with the full ride. I agree with Fade, Solid reputation and minimal debt is what you want to aim for.

[90sNickelodeon]

I'd go where I was offered the best financial package, but that's just me-

Have you visited the departments? Which program do you feel is the best fit? What school is your favorite? least favorite? It's a big decision for sure and you have to determine what factors weigh most heavily on your future-

but if money is the biggest factor than UCONN is your best bet. Money is definitely a biggie for me. I do not want any additional "massive debt."

Good luck with your decision!

These are excellent questions that I'll have to keep in mind.

[90sNickelodeon]

Given your rankings, I'd go with UCONN with the full ride. I agree with Fade, Solid reputation and minimal debt is what you want to aim for.

Thanks for your input!

[90sNickelodeon]

UPDATE: I chose UCONN! I feel that I made the right decision.