UNC Chapel Hill vs. Syracuse vs. UC Berkeley vs. IU Bloomington for MA in Multimedia Communications

[noberce]

Hi all,

I'm a prospective international graduate student in the US; last year I was awarded a scholarship to do a Master's in Multimedia Communications (Interactive/Visual Documentary Production) for the upcoming fall. I've applied to several universities and I've been admitted to all of them. I'm having real trouble to choose between them, since I like all of the programs and they are very strong. Here I express my thoughts on each of them, in hopes someone who knows the schools or the campuses can offer me some insight. 

UC Berkeley

I would have to ask for a loan at least for the first year, because the tuition exceeds by far the coverage of the grant and they haven't offered financial help since I am an international student. It's a really good school and really prestigious, but having other options where I would get full tuition coverage I don't think I'll consider asking for a loan. Also, the program is really journalism-focused and, although it has some of the best faculty in environmental journalism and new media, I'm not sure whether I'd feel creatively fulfilled. Do you think it's worthy to look into the possibility of getting a loan? 

UNC Chapel Hill - Visual Communication track at the MA in Journalism 

It used to be my first option, it's really prestigious as well. I'm also waiting for extra financial help because my current situation won't allow me to cover for the full tuition. There is really good faculty both in the journalism school and the communications school (more creative). I'd be able to specialize in environmental communication which is a plus, they have some professors which I really admire. They also have a graduate certificate that I would like to pursue. Climate wise and area wise (music, eating, going out), Chapel Hill seems a nice and tranquil place. The experimental film scene is really powerful, with the Full Frame Festival in Durham, and it's really close to Duke, where I could take workshops in documentary arts if I need something more 'experimental'.

Syracuse - MA in Multimedia Photography and Design at Newhouse

Here I would have full coverage for my tuition. Really top school, would look really good on my resumée. The program is free of 'journalistic pressure' and I will be able to explore creative outlets as well (although ti does seem more corporate communications-oriented). It's only one year Not really able to specialize in environmental communication, but they have many classes on cultural reporting, which is something I'd also like to explore. The problem here is that the program starts in late June, and with the current situation I wouldn't like to have to be nervous about being able to get a visa by June, or having to start my classes online, maybe even from Spain. Also, Syracuse doesn't seem a really exciting place. It seems good, though for connections in the New York area. Any thoughts on that? 

Indiana University Bloomington - MS in Media Production and Design at The Media School

Here I would have full coverage for my tuition. In regards of prestige, I don't know how well known this school is. Anyway, I don't know if that matters much to me. Program-wise, I believe it is the one that fits my interests the most. It's a really new program so they will let me configure my own path, taking classes from interactive and web design, non narrative and experimental media, documentary, environmental affairs... being able to really explore what I want and work close to the faculty. This seems specially cool if I want to pursue a PhD afterwards, which is something that I'm starting to consider. However, the fact that it is all so new makes me kind of skeptic. There is some faculty I really I admire. Regarding Bloomington, I read that it's a very nice place, with a lot of stuff to do. There's a great music scene and film scene as well, but it's in the middle of nowhere (at least from my European point of view) and not having a car nor the intention of buying one, maybe I'll feel kind of isolated? The idea of it not being a well-known school for media production, or an isolated place are the main downsides here

Please let me know anything you may know about the programs, the different areas and/or the schools in general. Anything you think can help me regarding the decision.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

Edited March 26, 2020 by noberce

[cropop]

Are any of the programs offering anything for living expenses? It can be fairly expensive to live in some of those cities and if you need loans to cover that, that's can be a lot of money. If you're ultimately going for a PhD or job prospects aren't great (hard to get a job or low pay), then taking on a lot of loans might not make sense.

Bloomington is small compared to the other places (although IU is very large), but it's big enough that you're not missing out on anything for daily life. It's also close enough to Indianapolis (1 hour or so) with shuttles multiple times per day that you can do things you might only be able to do in larger cities (concerts, plays, airport, etc.) There's also plenty of people who post on the IU classifieds about offering rides and such to even places like Chicago. Beyond that, it's fairly friendly without a car (in US terms) because it's not huge. There are frequent student shuttles/city buses to go to the major places in town and it doesn't take that long to get anywhere. I wouldn't let "remoteness" deter you unless you really want to live in a major city.

Ultimately, I think it's important to evaluate what you want to do after and then might better inform you. Getting a job might change your choice versus getting a PhD due to networking issues, job locations, etc.

 

 

[noberce]

Hi! Thanks for your reply. Yes, I'd get around 1500 $ per month at Chapel Hill or Indiana, and around 1700 $ at Syracuse. 

Also, I've just gotten information from Chapel Hill that I don't get financial help, so I would have to consider getting a tuition loan for around 5000 $. IU has a program that I really like but, still, the not-being-well-known thing is kind of frightening, since I don't know what I want to do afterwards. My main idea was to work as a multimedia/journalist web producer after the program. I guess Syracuse has more connectons for the NY area; Chapel Hill for the DC area and Bloomington for Chicago. I guess I could get internships at places in the three cities. 

However and because of my visa I have to return to my home country for two years after getting the MA, and the situation for digital journalism is horrible in Spain right now. So now I'm also considering for going on with a PhD, probably on the intersection between Documentary Media and Geography.

I'm really not looking for a big city experience. I've been living in big cities (around 5-6 million inhabitants) for the last 8 years and I'm tired of that. I'm looking for a place where I can bike/walk around, be close to nature and which has a decent amount of cultural offer. I lived in Boulder for 1 year and that's the kind of experience I'm looking for. Also I'm very into alternative/indie and folk music, as well as experimental filmmaking, so these are both items I value within the cultural scene. 

[cropop]

A loan of $5000 isn't really a big deal in the long run, if it's the school you prefer.

I also want to point out that while the IU Media School might be newer, IU is a major university (not some small local school) so I wouldn't let that deter you. However, you could reach out to the program and see if you could be put into contact with former students to talk about their experiences or look around on Linkedin and ask people, etc. I suspect that some of the programs are also not new (journalism, etc.) I seem to recall that it's just the Media School that is newer but the individual programs generally existed before.

I'd consider the cost of living in the places, though. $1500 in Bloomington is doable (I live there) but it's not a lot of money and would likely need roommates or other money for it to be affordable. $1500 in Chapel Hill or $1700 at Syracuse could be worse if the areas are more expensive. This might affect your ability to do other things that you want.

[noberce]

Yeah, I've been talking to both faculty and current/former students at the three places and the three programs are good fits for what I want to do, so that's why I think I'll go for the most appealing + affordable location. Wherever I go, I'll probably try to find an on-campus (part time) job to get some extra money.

Anyway I've thought of putting up to 650 for housing, in case I want to live alone, and putting 250 on food I'd still have around 600 dollars for other expenses. Is that doable in Bloomington?

Regarding the loan, I'm looking into my options. It's not at all common to ask loans for school at my home country so this is something pretty new for me... And I cannot stay at the US afterwards due to my visa, so I'm not granted that I'll get a good job afterwards. I know 5 000 is not so much money in US terms but still, I want to be cautious