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Columbia Journo vs USC Annenberg


supernova83

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I got admitted to both Columbia (for the MA Journalism, Science track) and USC Annenberg (for the MA in Specialised Journalism). Both programs are interesting, and fairly similar -- I've been a journalist for almost 4 years now and don't really need technical training, but I wanted to concentrate on subject specialties, hence the applications.

Columbia is possibly the best-regarded journalism school in the world and they're offering me $37,000 is financial aid, which still leaves me with some $30,000 (for the remainder of tuition and academic fees, +living) to cover in loans. I'm an international student, btw, so that amount in my currency is scary - sort of - but not so crazy that its something I can't think about. USC, on the other hand, has offered me an Annenberg fellowship, which covers tuition, all academic fees and a $20,000 stiped for living expenses. It looks like a no-brainer right now -- why go into debt when you don't have to -- but could Columbia's reputation - it is an Ivy after all - be worth more than USC's offer?

Please help! I'm so torn, I want to go to both places!

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I got admitted to both Columbia (for the MA Journalism, Science track) and USC Annenberg (for the MA in Specialised Journalism). Both programs are interesting, and fairly similar -- I've been a journalist for almost 4 years now and don't really need technical training, but I wanted to concentrate on subject specialties, hence the applications.

Columbia is possibly the best-regarded journalism school in the world and they're offering me $37,000 is financial aid, which still leaves me with some $30,000 (for the remainder of tuition and academic fees, +living) to cover in loans. I'm an international student, btw, so that amount in my currency is scary - sort of - but not so crazy that its something I can't think about. USC, on the other hand, has offered me an Annenberg fellowship, which covers tuition, all academic fees and a $20,000 stiped for living expenses. It looks like a no-brainer right now -- why go into debt when you don't have to -- but could Columbia's reputation - it is an Ivy after all - be worth more than USC's offer?

Please help! I'm so torn, I want to go to both places!

I'm deciding between Columbia (M.S.) and Berkeley. I want to attend both of my schools, too!

Ultimately, though, Berkeley's offered me enough aid that, if I work as a TA at some point (and I want to), I could graduate debt-free. I don't even have to worry about funding my first entire year, as I get settled. That's pretty hard to turn down! I currently have no debt, and it would be nice to keep it that way.

I don't think Columbia's rep. is necessarily worth the tens of thousands I'd go into debt for them, in comparison. Especially considering that I intend to have my career in the Berkeley area.

Where you plan to work, will people know of USC Annenberg, or only Columbia? Does the Columbia J-School really have an excellent reputation there? (In some conservative circles here, the Columbia J-School is somewhat of a punching bag. It's a bit polarizing with its politically liberal reputation. USC would probably escape accusations of unbridled liberalism.) Will you make more meaningful work / study connections in New York, or is the LA area fine?

Columbia offered you a substantial aid amount. Any chance you can find an outside fellowship to decrease the leftover amount? There's an international house with some competitive aid that could cover some of your living expenses. Maybe you can be creative to lessen your debt.

I like USC enough that if they were offering me a full-ride + $20,000 stipend, I'm pretty sure I'd go, despite some personal reservations. That's a great offer!

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First, thanks for replying and congratulations on Berkeley! It IS hard to decide!

To answer some of your questions: reputation-wise, Columbia is certainly better known here than USC (which everyone I know keeps calling the University of South Carolina). Media organisations in India (which is where I'm from) would probably weigh reputation more than political ideology. Plus, from what I understand, places like the WSJ employ plenty of people who graduate from Columbia, so I suppose the perceived liberal bias might not matter as much. Your New York versus LA question is something I've been mulling. Considering that the market in India is so much better than in the US, I'd probably be better off coming back, though I would really like to get some experience working in the US. For that I don't suppose it matters too much where I am, but my perception is -- and please correct me if I'm wrong -- that New York is more international than LA and will probably lead to better opportunities in that sense - and my first Masters is in International Politics so I'm keen to marry all of these things together.

I am exploring one other scholarship option for Columbia but the problem with that is that they only let out award notifications end-June. And I don't want to pay $1000 to book my place at Columbia and then end up not getting that award. It's also very, very competitive and the chances of my getting that award are small I think.

On the other hand, as you say, there's no point in going into debt and specially not for journalism. I am debt-free also and would like to remain that way. But you mentioned that you have personal reservations against going to USC. May I ask what they are, if you don't mind?

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First, thanks for replying and congratulations on Berkeley! It IS hard to decide!

To answer some of your questions: reputation-wise, Columbia is certainly better known here than USC (which everyone I know keeps calling the University of South Carolina). Media organisations in India (which is where I'm from) would probably weigh reputation more than political ideology. Plus, from what I understand, places like the WSJ employ plenty of people who graduate from Columbia, so I suppose the perceived liberal bias might not matter as much. Your New York versus LA question is something I've been mulling. Considering that the market in India is so much better than in the US, I'd probably be better off coming back, though I would really like to get some experience working in the US. For that I don't suppose it matters too much where I am, but my perception is -- and please correct me if I'm wrong -- that New York is more international than LA and will probably lead to better opportunities in that sense - and my first Masters is in International Politics so I'm keen to marry all of these things together.

I am exploring one other scholarship option for Columbia but the problem with that is that they only let out award notifications end-June. And I don't want to pay $1000 to book my place at Columbia and then end up not getting that award. It's also very, very competitive and the chances of my getting that award are small I think.

On the other hand, as you say, there's no point in going into debt and specially not for journalism. I am debt-free also and would like to remain that way. But you mentioned that you have personal reservations against going to USC. May I ask what they are, if you don't mind?

Wow, sounds like USC really isn't known there! You could still be a trail blazer by going there, though.

I agree that New York is more international than LA -- New York is probably still the most international place in the U.S. That would likely equal better opportunities there, at least considering your emphasis on international politics. I remember looking up USC's opportunities related to international politics for someone else, and there didn't seem to be much.

I wish you luck with your scholarship competition. I totally understand about the $1,000 deposit. I laughed when I saw that requirement -- as if I have that kind of cash lying around. That cost -- on top of everything else -- has really delayed my decision.

Regarding my reservations about USC, it's mostly political / ideological / lifestyle / environment / diversity considerations, including the international element you're concerned about. (Although the Latin American community is impressive, and there are plenty of other groups there! It's just not New York.) I know wonderful people in and from the area who are dear to me, but I've heard some stories and seen some history of the area that makes me think major elements of the culture aren't the preferrable fit for me and my personality. (If you know anything about San Francisco, I am well-suited to the cultural climate there.) I could be wrong, though, and it definitely isn't a put-down of the school itself or locals. None of this may be true for you, either. I would love to spend more time there and become more knowledgeable about it, but I wouldn't start by committing to a school.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I agree that New York is more international than LA -- New York is probably still the most international place in the U.S. That would likely equal better opportunities there, at least considering your emphasis on international politics. I remember looking up USC's opportunities related to international politics for someone else, and there didn't seem to be much.

I wish you luck with your scholarship competition. I totally understand about the $1,000 deposit. I laughed when I saw that requirement -- as if I have that kind of cash lying around. That cost -- on top of everything else -- has really delayed my decision.

I've bitten the bullet and accepted USC's offer now that Columbia has told me they wont give me any more aid. But the more I'm reading about it, the more concerned I get -- the surrounding area sounds like its really not nice! Do you have any insights on that - what the better places to live are, etc etc?

I wonder how I'll deal with it if I do end up getting the Indian scholarship -- if Columbia doesn't let me reverse my decision at that point I'll be heartbroken. Darn that stupid $1000 fee anyway.

How about you -- made any decisions yet?

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  • 2 years later...

Actually, USC is University of Southern California, and Annenberg School is pretty darn good, from what I understand. You are in a great position either way, since--for journalism--you could not be in a better location (and believe it or not, location can matter a lot for this field, from what I have heard from friends that work in this area).

That being said, I would definitely go with the funding. The Annenberg fellowship will look great on your C.V., as well. Grats.

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USC's Annenberg School is very highly regarded, and involved in all sorts of great journalism (NPRs Planet Money springs to mind). On the West Coast that degree is as good as a job, given the reputation and the absolutely incredible Almuni/Good Ol' Boys network (nothing like it anywhere else as far as I'm concerned).

Regardless, a fellowship means someone has said, for the benefit of your CV "You are special!" while going to Columbia you'll be just another fish in the barrel--lots of smarties get in, but without a stipend you are just subsidizing someone else's education. Combine that stipend with the much lower cost of living in LA, I it seems like things worked out for the best. Yes, Compton is scary for some people (Rodney King riots, anyone?)--so don't live there if you don't like it! Use your fancytastic stipend to rent in Santa Monica (surf daily!) or someplace else you like. LA is a big place, you'll probably need a car regardless (I say this as a lifelong bike commuter who's spent time in LA--bring a car!), so you might as well live someplace nice and drive to school or the closest bus station that gets you there.

Edited by Usmivka
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