J-School: Columbia vs. Berkeley

[flipacoin]

I am a 30-year-old journalist with 7 years experience in the print world (magazine editor, freelance, online editor), and I want to make a move into video and new media (ideally as a producer). I applied and was accepted to both Berkeley and Columbia for New Media, and I'm having a terrible time deciding between the two. I know there are many out there with the same dilemma, so I thought I would start a discussion and hopefully glean some advice.

The problem is that it is comparing apples with oranges. Here are the pros/cons for each school, as far as I can tell:

* Berkeley:

- Incredibly flexible and in-depth 2-year program. There are so many classes in new media, video, video for the Web, Flash, HTML and international reporting that a student can virtually custom-design their program. For someone who doesn't particularly want mandatory classes in writing/reporting, this would be a huge plus. It seems that most students would learn a LOT more technical skills than at Columbia, which has a very rigid writing-based program. The options for internships and international reporting look amazing.

- For in-state students (me), it's only 10k a year. With my fellowship, it is almost free (except for the cost of living in the Bay Area for 2 years).

- For experienced journalists who really just want to absorb some new skills and get back to work (or are in their 30s), 2 years is too long.

* Columbia:

- As an Ivy, it can open a LOT of doors. Hard to turn down a chance to put such prestige on your resume, regardless of your future career. Even if Berkeley might offer a better program, most employers might not know that.

- Intense 10-month program, ideal for those that want to get back in the field ASAP.

- The experience of living a year in Manhattan - very appealing for a lifelong West-Coaster.

- 50k + living: Ouch. However, if you factor in that you would probably be making salary the 2nd year, it could make it cheaper than Berkeley.

- Many of the career connections coming from Columbia would be based in the NY media world. Considering I want to move back to SF, this might not make much sense.

- Those are just a few of the many considerations running through my head. As every journalist's career goals and lifestyle expectations are different, many of those points won't apply. But I would love to hear some other POVs.

[Jae B.]

I am a 30-year-old journalist with 7 years experience in the print world (magazine editor, freelance, online editor), and I want to make a move into video and new media (ideally as a producer). I applied and was accepted to both Berkeley and Columbia for New Media, and I'm having a terrible time deciding between the two. I know there are many out there with the same dilemma, so I thought I would start a discussion and hopefully glean some advice.

The problem is that it is comparing apples with oranges. Here are the pros/cons for each school, as far as I can tell:

* Berkeley:

- Incredibly flexible and in-depth 2-year program. There are so many classes in new media, video, video for the Web, Flash, HTML and international reporting that a student can virtually custom-design their program. For someone who doesn't particularly want mandatory classes in writing/reporting, this would be a huge plus. It seems that most students would learn a LOT more technical skills than at Columbia, which has a very rigid writing-based program. The options for internships and international reporting look amazing.

- For in-state students (me), it's only 10k a year. With my fellowship, it is almost free (except for the cost of living in the Bay Area for 2 years).

- For experienced journalists who really just want to absorb some new skills and get back to work (or are in their 30s), 2 years is too long.

* Columbia:

- As an Ivy, it can open a LOT of doors. Hard to turn down a chance to put such prestige on your resume, regardless of your future career. Even if Berkeley might offer a better program, most employers might not know that.

- Intense 10-month program, ideal for those that want to get back in the field ASAP.

- The experience of living a year in Manhattan - very appealing for a lifelong West-Coaster.

- 50k + living: Ouch. However, if you factor in that you would probably be making salary the 2nd year, it could make it cheaper than Berkeley.

- Many of the career connections coming from Columbia would be based in the NY media world. Considering I want to move back to SF, this might not make much sense.

- Those are just a few of the many considerations running through my head. As every journalist's career goals and lifestyle expectations are different, many of those points won't apply. But I would love to hear some other POVs.

As someone considering both schools straight out of undergrad, my perspective actually isn't much different. I assume you applied to Columbia's M.A. program, though.

Berkeley seems geared towards providing an environment where you can add skills, so you are ready to do more, different things, and be more competitive in the general job market. Columbia's M.A., from what I've read, is more about you working on one reporting topic in-depth, to develop a specialty.

So, are you interested in being more flexible as a reporter, or specializing in a particular type of reporting or topic?

If your major interest is in multimedia, it seems to me that Berkeley is really focusing on that, and Columbia is still emphasizing writing and adding multimedia on the side. Look at the online work of the students, and judge who is doing a better job yourself.

Some things I've heard talking to current and former students:

At Berkeley, at least in the past, the second year of the program could be slow. That could be a plus if it gives you time to put yourself back on the job market (and I do think Berkeley students have more opportunities to work while in school), or a minus if you're just looking for stuff to do. But if you do work as you finish your master's thesis, you should be pretty busy, gauging from the schedule of one second-year that I saw!

At Columbia, the whole program goes by really fast. One successful grad told me you can't bet on being able to enjoy Manhattan, since you'll be so busy the whole time -- a little disappointing for me, also a lifelong West-Coaster. An Ivy does open doors (I see Columbia graduates in very good jobs -- not so sure about Berkeley grads, who seem more open to freelancing), but some employers still seem hostile to graduate degree-holders, regardless.

I'm keeping in mind that Columbia is carrying some baggage in certain sectors for being an uppity "liberal" school. It may not matter to you, but I am a little sad they have gotten pigeonholed. I'm definitely not saying Berkeley isn't liberal, but they have a bit of a fresher reputation.

Regarding the cost of the programs, I still don't know my financial aid for Columbia, but I could very well graduate from Berkeley debt-free -- something extremely valuable to me!

I'm also planning on working in the SF Bay Area, so I'm not too concerned about employers not having heard of Berkeley. But if I were thinking of moving anywhere else in the near future, Columbia would probably get more points.

Are you also considering the size of the programs?

[flipacoin]

Thanks for your input, it does seem like we are in a similar position. In fact, I'm considering the M.S. at Columbia, as I am not really interested in any of the M.A. specializations, and my main goal is new media. I do agree that Berkeley has a stronger new media focus, but I wonder if I really need/want two years of that.

I am pulled toward being able to freelance while in school, and I know Berkeley really supports that, so that would help take the edge off the 2 years out of the field. Columbia is too intense for any freelancing.

And, you're right, living in the Upper West Side and going to school 6 days a week would not provide an authentic NY experience, so maybe that should just be stricken from the "plus" side for Columbia.

I would love to hear more about what you are trying to get out of school, and which way you are leaning, and why.

As someone considering both schools straight out of undergrad, my perspective actually isn't much different. I assume you applied to Columbia's M.A. program, though.

Berkeley seems geared towards providing an environment where you can add skills, so you are ready to do more, different things, and be more competitive in the general job market. Columbia's M.A., from what I've read, is more about you working on one reporting topic in-depth, to develop a specialty.

So, are you interested in being more flexible as a reporter, or specializing in a particular type of reporting or topic?

If your major interest is in multimedia, it seems to me that Berkeley is really focusing on that, and Columbia is still emphasizing writing and adding multimedia on the side. Look at the online work of the students, and judge who is doing a better job yourself.

Some things I've heard talking to current and former students:

At Berkeley, at least in the past, the second year of the program could be slow. That could be a plus if it gives you time to put yourself back on the job market (and I do think Berkeley students have more opportunities to work while in school), or a minus if you're just looking for stuff to do. But if you do work as you finish your master's thesis, you should be pretty busy, gauging from the schedule of one second-year that I saw!

At Columbia, the whole program goes by really fast. One successful grad told me you can't bet on being able to enjoy Manhattan, since you'll be so busy the whole time -- a little disappointing for me, also a lifelong West-Coaster. An Ivy does open doors (I see Columbia graduates in very good jobs -- not so sure about Berkeley grads, who seem more open to freelancing), but some employers still seem hostile to graduate degree-holders, regardless.

I'm keeping in mind that Columbia is carrying some baggage in certain sectors for being an uppity "liberal" school. It may not matter to you, but I am a little sad they have gotten pigeonholed. I'm definitely not saying Berkeley isn't liberal, but they have a bit of a fresher reputation.

Regarding the cost of the programs, I still don't know my financial aid for Columbia, but I could very well graduate from Berkeley debt-free -- something extremely valuable to me!

I'm also planning on working in the SF Bay Area, so I'm not too concerned about employers not having heard of Berkeley. But if I were thinking of moving anywhere else in the near future, Columbia would probably get more points.

Are you also considering the size of the programs?

[Jae B.]

Thanks for your input, it does seem like we are in a similar position. In fact, I'm considering the M.S. at Columbia, as I am not really interested in any of the M.A. specializations, and my main goal is new media. I do agree that Berkeley has a stronger new media focus, but I wonder if I really need/want two years of that.

I am pulled toward being able to freelance while in school, and I know Berkeley really supports that, so that would help take the edge off the 2 years out of the field. Columbia is too intense for any freelancing.

And, you're right, living in the Upper West Side and going to school 6 days a week would not provide an authentic NY experience, so maybe that should just be stricken from the "plus" side for Columbia.

I would love to hear more about what you are trying to get out of school, and which way you are leaning, and why.

I applied to the magazine programs. My major interest is in community-level reporting. My focuses are becoming a better, more efficient writer, and secondarily improving my multimedia skills. I plan to work in the San Francisco Bay Area.

For me, the decision (other than financially) is between staying in a place I love or venturing out into a place I'm interested in. I've always wanted to go to New York, and there isn't a better J-School there than Columbia. Gaining street smarts in New York and a fresh perspective on city life could be a very valuable experience. A major consideration for me is whether I will learn more inside or outside of my comfort-zone.

I'm gently leaning towards Berkeley. The financial aid package there would be a big help to me; I'm set for the first year as long as I work this summer, and looking good for the second year, too.

Berkeley's program is so impressive, including the people in it and the work they do. Being someone a little burnt-out on undergrad, the more my graduate program feels like a real job, the better -- Berkeley's three local newsrooms do not disappoint! I'm a little concerned with how much Columbia's program is going to feel like the lecture --> homework cycle again, even if the "homework" is reporting.

Berkeley's welcome week was a nice opportunity to connect with current students, and I've had more opportunities just because I currently attend Berkeley for undergrad. Having Berkeley as both my undergrad and graduate school is another consideration for me. Normally, I would think diversifying is better.

I haven't had as many opportunities to connect with Columbia people, would not be able to visit the school before attending, and honestly can't decide anything until I see their financial aid offering. That said, their graduates have landed some pretty impressive jobs. Because of my interest in writing, Columbia's program may be best for me.

But as a complete web geek, I could not help getting excited about Berkeley's multimedia emphasis. And their program is flexible enough to let me write and develop my web production skills.

I definitely have more questions to ask Columbia people! Have you gotten to connect with many graduates, and are you going to the admit events?

[Jae B.]

Hmm...have you made a decision yet?

[flipacoin]

I was about 90% set on Berkeley, especially after I found out about their travel grants. And then yesterday Columbia offered a 27k scholarship, so that puts them back in the running.

How are you doing on your decision?

Hmm...have you made a decision yet?

[Jae B.]

I was about 90% set on Berkeley, especially after I found out about their travel grants. And then yesterday Columbia offered a 27k scholarship, so that puts them back in the running.

How are you doing on your decision?

Congratulations on your Columbia scholarship! I know, hearing from them the other day got them back in my head, too.

I'm still leaning Berkeley, though. I'm underwhelmed with my Columbia scholarship, compared to full funding for Berkeley. Because of my relatively modest career goals, it wouldn't be smart for me to go far into debt for Columbia.

[newsjunkie]

Just wanted to point out that you can get some sense of who else is in the Columbia class through its (growing) Facebook group:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=113107955367602&ref=ts

[Jae B.]

Just wanted to point out that you can get some sense of who else is in the Columbia class through its (growing) Facebook group:

http://www.facebook....55367602&ref=ts

I joined, thanks!

[Amna]

Hey guys,

I've applied to both the Columbia and Berkeley J schools for the programs starting in aug 2011. I was wondering...where did you two end up going? And are you satisfied with your decisions?

My concentration will be 'Magazine', and so far I have not been able to get a decent comparison of the two programs from anyone. This thread has addressed some of my concerns on the issue so I'm hoping you can help. I won't have trouble with finances, since I've received a grant that will allow me to attend either one. This will be my first time in the U.S., and I do want to play the tourist for while!

I guess I'm asking where would you go if you were given the chance again? And why?

Best...