Why the doubt?

[asha]

So I have gotten into 6 masters programs (no plans for a PhD at this point). So far I have only eliminated one for sure. The other five are:

1. UVA - Environmental Science - 3 year program - Tuition, fees, health insurance, plus a very generous stipend for three years. I would have no debt at the end and would possibly even be able to pay down some of my small debts from undergrad. I would only have to teach one lab section in the second and third years. Charlottesville is gorgeous and I know I would love living there. It wouldn't be too difficult to move there since it's only 3 hours from my family. The only downside is that I am really interested in Environmental Health, and this would be an Environmental Science degree. I don't know how much this would hurt me when I go to look for a job in the future. Oh, and I would be able to transition to a PhD if I wanted to, but I don't right now.

2. Duke Nicholas School - 2 year terminal masters program, but very little funding. I would end up with a huge debt at the end of the two years. I know I would enjoy Durham/NC - I actually want to end up in North Carolina eventually. The program has a focus on what I am interested in, Environmental Health. Job prospects would be excellent coming out of Duke. However, I get the feeling that the student body is much younger than I am (20s instead of 30s) and the program is not as sciency as I am.

3. UCSB Bren School - 2 year terminal masters, no funding, slightly less debt at the end than Duke, but travel costs to and from the East Coast would be insane. Location is the most beautiful of all my choices, but cost of living would be most expensive. They don't have an exact match, but it's closer than "environmental science" would be. I hate group project work and the program is based on group work. Ok, I really am only still considering Bren because I want to live on the beach in California. Should be able to get a great job coming out of Bren.

4. University of Oregon - two year traditional masters, tuition, fees, health insurance and about half the stipend of UVA. I would have debt after this program but nothing like if I went to Duke or Bren. Like Bren, moving here would be costly, and I probably wouldn't be able to visit home much/at all. Would TA one class all the way through. This would also be an environmental science degree, but with a duel focus in biology and public policy. Eugene seems like the perfect place for me, but I haven't been able to visit because of cost. Also, this is probably the least prestigious program.

5. UNC-CH Gillings School of Public Health - 2 year traditional masters program with Environmental Health focus. This program would be the best fit for me on paper, however they have been unable to find any funding for me. I have been told that they probably would be able to find something for me, but I might not know for sure until August (!) and that would require a huge leap of faith from me. I think all my hair will have fallen out if I have to wait until August to find out about funding. Funding would probably involve TAing a biology class. There is a specific chance to work at EPA for my master's project, but it's not something I am interested in at all. If I had funding, this would probably be my top choice because of fit.

Just typing this out has helped me to see that I am probably going to UVA. I just feel sad because a little part of me really wants to go to each of these schools for different reasons. I don't see myself ever making a huge salary - I am more of a save the world type - so taking on a huge ($50k+) debt at Duke or Bren seems ridiculous. Putting in an extra year at UVA seems worth it considering I would have no debt. I also am hoping that getting an environmental science degree won't be too much of a hindrance in eventually getting into environmental health.

I guess my question is just: am I missing something? UVA is the right choice, right?

Edited April 11, 2010 by asha

[Lantern]

I think you're right, that you have already decided. Plus Virginia is close to North Carolina, so there's a good chance you could end up there afterward through connections you make at school. I don't see anything major that you're overlooking. I think when you have several great options, you really need to go with your gut. I only applied to 4 schools, so I didn't have quite as many to decide between, but nonetheless, it was agonizing. In the end I chose a slightly less prestigious school is a place that didn't really appeal to me because of the advisor and the thesis project (it's my absolute dream project). Now I am looking at buying a house there, which to me is a perk that would not have been available in places that were more desirable to live.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that every place has it's perks and drawbacks. As long as you eliminate schools with things that are "non-negotiable" to you, I don't think you can go wrong.

Good luck!

[so47]

I would nix Bren and Oregon right away, because it sounds like the programs aren't perfect fits, and the financial outlook is bad.

Between Duke and UNC-CH, which would create the more debt (assuming you get no funding for UNC) If Duke has more debt, I would also nix Duke since you are not positive about the fit being worth the debt anyway.

So from my eyes, this seems like a competition between UNC-CH and UVA. And it's really up to you, if you like UNC that much and think it will help you enough in the future, then it's up to you if you can take the leap of faith for funding. But, it sounds like you do like UVA, so a fully funded offer from a school you like seems like a very good alternative.

I think if I were you, I would also go with the funding. I'm not in your field, so I can't say how much of an impact the Environmental Science vs. Health would be, but is there a way to gear a project or research towards the health end of it? I would email potential advisors to find out if that is possible, because then I think this would take any doubts about UVA away for you.

[IOPsychology]

I would nix Bren and Oregon right away, because it sounds like the programs aren't perfect fits, and the financial outlook is bad.

Between Duke and UNC-CH, which would create the more debt (assuming you get no funding for UNC) If Duke has more debt, I would also nix Duke since you are not positive about the fit being worth the debt anyway.

So from my eyes, this seems like a competition between UNC-CH and UVA. And it's really up to you, if you like UNC that much and think it will help you enough in the future, then it's up to you if you can take the leap of faith for funding. But, it sounds like you do like UVA, so a fully funded offer from a school you like seems like a very good alternative.

I think if I were you, I would also go with the funding. I'm not in your field, so I can't say how much of an impact the Environmental Science vs. Health would be, but is there a way to gear a project or research towards the health end of it? I would email potential advisors to find out if that is possible, because then I think this would take any doubts about UVA away for you.

I totally agree with the logic of so47. I'm actually about to do a "leap of faith" wait for funding, so I understand your hesitation about that. (In my case, even if funding doesn't come through, I'd be in-state so I think it would be do-able.)

Anyway, I would reiterate the importance of talking to your potential advisor(s) at UVA and tell them what you're ultimately interested in doing, and ask them if they think it would be feasible to do that coming out of the UVA program. My sense is that you could do it, you'd really just need one solid connection to get your foot in the door (as with most things these days).

As for the two schools themselves... I went to UVA undergrad and I'm working at UNC School of Medicine (in Chapel Hill) right now. So I've definitely experienced both areas, although in a different way. I really, honestly don't think you can go wrong with UVA. UNC seems to be a pretty fun place too, but you're right about Charlottesville - it IS absolutely beautiful. If you end up at UVA, I don't think you'll regret it. You'd also end up with a ton of connections in the DC/Northern VA area, which I imagine has some good opportunities for environmental health.

Good luck!!

[shakespearebro]

I think UVa is clearly your choice hear. My only suggestion is that you spend a tiny amount of effort leveraging their offer, if you want to. Choose one or two of the other programs, one you really want to go to and contact them to tell them how much you'd love to go there, but you have this other offer that would allow you to concentrate on your studies with no financial issues at all. If there is any way they could re-examine your funding sources and suggest some alternatives, you'd love to commit to their program instead as it is your first choice, etc. You never know, they might come through with something. If they don't UVa sounds like a great option. Go with it. Or just go with it anyway.