Harvard vs UPenn vs Berkeley

[breadislife]

I’m going for my Masters in Ed with a teaching credential. 

Penn came out of the woodwork yesterday and gave me a fellowship that would cover more than tuition except I would have to teach in Philly for three years after. I’ve never been to Philly and I can’t go now, so if I don’t like it then I’m stuck. I also think the program sounds great on paper but haven’t really spoken to anybody about it. 

I currently live in the Bay and have for my whole life except for undergrad when I went to MA. I’m hesitant on Berkeley’s program because it sounds mad intense and I want to make sure I have time to explore my interests too (outside of equity work in the classroom, I hope to become an equity consultant). The equity focus is a big draw and I really want to learn how to teach about equity. I would get in-state tuition lol. 

I feel really drawn to Harvard’s program and ofc my family really wants me to go there. It’s smaller than Berkeley’s, but there’s the name and opportunity to take elective courses which I won’t get at any other school. Also an equity focus here. There’s also a designated career track for consulting which I want to take advantage of. I got a small scholarship but am still going to be out lots of money. I also think it’d be hard to transfer everything back to CA after if I decide to move back here.

No idea what to do and maybe I’m thinking too far ahead. I don’t want to regret not going to my dream school (which is Harvard) but I don’t know if I can eat the cost and deal with all the paperwork and testing to transfer everything. I feel so conflicted and stressed. 

 

[joysii]

If you honestly see yourself going back to CA to teach after going to Harvard anyway, I personally think just going to Berkeley would make your life a lot easier because of cost/the technicalities you mentioned. I say this because I don't know how transferrable a teaching credential from another state is, and my understanding of those programs is you usually go to school in the state you want to teach. Regarding Penn, that sounds like a great opportunity but big commitment. Since there isn't much time left you should ask admissions about your concerns and be as specific as possible. They already gave you admission so they're not going to go back on it, and they know there isn't much time to make a decision either so you should just be upfront.