Harvard EdM in MBE or NYU MA in Psychology

[T Qi]

I am planning to do a Cognitive Psychology PhD but this year I only got two master offers:

1. Harvard Ed.M. in Mind Brain and Education

Pros: One-year program; can freely select courses in Harvard and MIT; Boston has more labs that match my interest where I want to work as RA; I guess I'll love Boston

Cons: High tuition; less renowned in the field of psychology; have to apply for PhD even before the first semester ends

2. NYU M.A. in Psychology:

Pros: Better psychology professional training; I believe more renowned in the field

Cons: Two-year program; don't like NYC; high living cost

 

Anyone has any suggestions? Thanks!

Edited March 8, 2020 by T Qi

[PsychPhdBound]

In the first option you said you'd have to apply for PhD programs before the end of your first semester but that's not true. You could do the program and then work for a year or two as an RA in one of the many labs you mentioned that are doing interesting work. There is no rule stating you must apply immediately.

 

Also, it would be worth looking into just doing RA positions for a few years and getting some first author posters/presentations/papers. That would be way cheaper then a master's (in fact you'd be paid) and it means SOOO much on grad school applications, assuming you're productive during that time. I have heard numerous stories of people having lots of success using this strategy, especially since many PhD programs make you "redo" your Masters in their program.

I'd reach out to your mentors and see what they think. You could also reach out to people you think you'd be interesting in working with and see what they value. I had alot of success doing that and was steered toward a one year post-bacc RA position instead of a master's and I'm SOO grateful I went that route. Way cheaper then a master's and I got into my top choice PhD program (top 5 program).

Whatever you do, just do it well! Good luck!!

[kaj9691]

Hi! I have an Ed.M from HGSE, but in the Human Development and Psychology cohort. I chose it because it was a one-year program and I figured having Harvard's name on my resume would open up new opportunities (it did). The only thing I did not like about the program is the lack of a thesis track. Otherwise, it was my favorite educational experience by far. I learned so much. 

 

That being said, this is just a one-sided account. I don't know much about the NYU program- maybe try to find someone who went there for greater perspective?

[T Qi]

On 3/8/2020 at 9:10 AM, PsychPhdBound said:

In the first option you said you'd have to apply for PhD programs before the end of your first semester but that's not true. You could do the program and then work for a year or two as an RA in one of the many labs you mentioned that are doing interesting work. There is no rule stating you must apply immediately.

 

Also, it would be worth looking into just doing RA positions for a few years and getting some first author posters/presentations/papers. That would be way cheaper then a master's (in fact you'd be paid) and it means SOOO much on grad school applications, assuming you're productive during that time. I have heard numerous stories of people having lots of success using this strategy, especially since many PhD programs make you "redo" your Masters in their program.

I'd reach out to your mentors and see what they think. You could also reach out to people you think you'd be interesting in working with and see what they value. I had alot of success doing that and was steered toward a one year post-bacc RA position instead of a master's and I'm SOO grateful I went that route. Way cheaper then a master's and I got into my top choice PhD program (top 5 program).

Whatever you do, just do it well! Good luck!!

Thanks for your reply!

I am already doing a post-bac RA position now (and I find it extremely difficult to find a paid RA position, so I just did an unpaid), but I still didn't get any PhD offer this year. Also my undergrad major was not psychology. That's why I would like to do a master this year.

No matter I choose Harvard or NYU I would definitely continue to do an RA. So I assume master+RA would be better than a sole RA in my situation.

[T Qi]

1 hour ago, kaj9691 said:

Hi! I have an Ed.M from HGSE, but in the Human Development and Psychology cohort. I chose it because it was a one-year program and I figured having Harvard's name on my resume would open up new opportunities (it did). The only thing I did not like about the program is the lack of a thesis track. Otherwise, it was my favorite educational experience by far. I learned so much. 

 

That being said, this is just a one-sided account. I don't know much about the NYU program- maybe try to find someone who went there for greater perspective?

Thanks for sharing your experience! 

[UrbanMidwest]

On 3/9/2020 at 11:21 AM, kaj9691 said:

Hi! I have an Ed.M from HGSE, but in the Human Development and Psychology cohort. I chose it because it was a one-year program and I figured having Harvard's name on my resume would open up new opportunities (it did). The only thing I did not like about the program is the lack of a thesis track. Otherwise, it was my favorite educational experience by far. I learned so much. 

 

That being said, this is just a one-sided account. I don't know much about the NYU program- maybe try to find someone who went there for greater perspective?

What were the pros and cons in your mind? Harvard GSE's HDP is one my list for a masters. I'd like to study the basis of emotions and self-regulation. I'm also open to the GSE's MBE program.