UC Berkeley vs Columbia Graduate School of Journalism

[vars98]

Hi everyone! 

I have received admits to both these schools for the Fall '22 batch, and I'm now in a massive fix. On one hand Columbia seems to have a very clear lead in terms of its reputation and connection to industry. It is also located in NYC, which is a great place to be for a journalist. On the other hand, Columbia is working out to be more expensive for me than Berkeley and is a 1 year program. I can still afford it, though it may be a  slight stretch. 

 

Berkeley on the other hand is more affordable, and also is a 2 year program. It is however not connected directly to a major city. I am wondering now if the reputation of Columbia is worth the extra money. Will it help me out in the long run, 10-20 years down the line too? I have heard that being a part of their alumni circle has lead many people to great jobs through the connections they've found. It is hard to say no to the school that gives out the Pulitzer.

 

For those who have been admitted to both, please let me know what your factors are in considering your choices between the 2. How are you making this decision?

[Mackmack]

To me it comes down to cost and lifestyle. Where can I do better work? Even weighing out the connections NYC provides, for my personal health reasons living in the bay area will give me the ability to take care of myself that living in NYC wouldn't (factoring in commutes, winters, etc).  Columbia is so prestigious, in the global center of journalism, and the alumni network could be invaluable: if you can afford it an are willing to live in NYC, Columbia could be the right choice. 

[IamPokemon]

On 3/26/2022 at 1:36 AM, vars98 said:

Hi everyone! 

I have received admits to both these schools for the Fall '22 batch, and I'm now in a massive fix. On one hand Columbia seems to have a very clear lead in terms of its reputation and connection to industry. It is also located in NYC, which is a great place to be for a journalist. On the other hand, Columbia is working out to be more expensive for me than Berkeley and is a 1 year program. I can still afford it, though it may be a  slight stretch. 

 

Berkeley on the other hand is more affordable, and also is a 2 year program. It is however not connected directly to a major city. I am wondering now if the reputation of Columbia is worth the extra money. Will it help me out in the long run, 10-20 years down the line too? I have heard that being a part of their alumni circle has lead many people to great jobs through the connections they've found. It is hard to say no to the school that gives out the Pulitzer.

 

For those who have been admitted to both, please let me know what your factors are in considering your choices between the 2. How are you making this decision?

Don't assume that Berkeley would be that much better cost-wise. First, its a two-year program as opposed to 1 year. Also, Berkeley is experiencing a serious housing crises for its students. Apparently, there isn't enough housing available to house its students, forcing them to be either homeless or in untenable living situations. The problem, was serious enough that the residents of Berkeley sued the university, demanding that they freeze their enrollment numbers, in a case that went all the way up to the State Supreme Court. The court ultimately sided with the residents, which put UC Berkeley in an odd position of having to figure out a way to rescind a great many acceptance letters. The State Legislature quickly intervened and passed a law that voids the State Supreme Court's decision. My point is, you have to consider these things carefully. It sounds like Columbia may be a very expensive investment. But if you believe in yourself and your abilities, its an investment that could pay off well.