Are internship opportunities better at more expensive schools?

[JessicaX]

This is something I've wondered when trying to decide which school I would go to if I got into all of them (Hunter, Columbia, NYU). Since we only have classes two days a week I'm wondering what the high tuition at Columbia and NYU really goes towards. Are the expensive schools able to secure more prestigious internship sites? Also are internship sites open to people from different schools, or does one school have an exclusive relationship with that site. It doesn't make sense to pay an arm and a leg for a private school and end up at the same internship site as someone from a cheaper city school. That would mean you're paying around $20,000 more just for two days for classes. Does anyone have any insight into this?

[dubi]

Usually, expensive schools with high tuition give more money (scholarships, tuition remission) to students, bringing the cost down. I believe it's their way of competing with other schools lower tuition.

[JessicaX]

Unfortunately NYC schools don't really offer enough money that the tuition is comparable with state/city schools. I was wondering what the money really goes towards and if the high cost of schools like columbia and NYU were somewhat justified or if its just the name you're paying for.

[pumpkinpie88]

Hmm, I can't imagine that more expensive schools have better internship opportunities. I spoke to a USC (private $$) MSW grad who said her internship site had UCLA (public) students....I think the extra cost is basically to run the university and afford professors...etc.. State schools get tax money and private have to raise the money themselves.

[nessadub]

I'm at UC Berkeley and we are at some of the same placements as SF state and CSU East Bay. That said, I think people here are hoping that the reputation and alumni networking opportunities will be better at UC Berkeley. Who knows really?

[srs5050]

Everything I've heard thus far about NYC MSW programs can be summed up in this: go to Hunter. The idea of NYU's well-regarded clinical track is a big draw, and even one quick stroll through Columbia's campus leaves me feeling like a more important person, but I have not heard any alum from NYU or Columbia who suggest that you will get the same perceived value in education that you take out in loans. All of the schools, Fordham included, send students to the same field internships. If certain schools were known for their private, personalized relationships with certain placements that would be a game changer (although I don't know how I'd actually feel about that, to be honest.) Some of the same professors at Columbia even teach at Hunter!

My sense is that some of the extra cost pays for hand-holding. I wouldn't expect or tolerate having to jump through the same bureaucratic hoops at an Ivy that I would at a city college. There's also the opportunity to take some of your electives within other departments or schools within the larger university or pursue a more extensive dual-degree. The facilities are nicer - I would imagine? It's a pretty nice feeling to tell your family and friends that you're going to Columbia for grad school, let's be honest, and I'd be interested in research done on the financial earning power over the course of one's lifetime based on name recognition of schools alone. All of these are good reasons for some people, not good enough for others.

All this to say that I would also love to hear thoughts from others who are making this decision or have already made it. Tell us why the private schools are worth it!

[JessicaX]

^^ Thank you SRS, that was extremely helpful. Luckily I've already been accepted to Hunter but I'm still waiting to hear back from Columbia and NYU and any possible financial aid.

The earning power of someone that went to Columbia/NYU over someone that went to Hunter is something that I've also wondered about. A graduate from Columbia will probably be more attractive than a graduate from Hunter to an average layperson (client looking for a therapist, non-social work employer). For someone like myself hoping to eventually go into private practice, it's something to consider.

Also, I'm curious about potential networking opportunities and the ease of finding a decent paying position after graduation. One of the big draws of Ivy schools is that you're in an "exclusive" club that takes care of their own. I'm sure this is more prevalent in other fields like business and law, but I'm wondering if it exists somewhat in the social work world as well.

[angel'swife]

^^ Thank you SRS, that was extremely helpful. Luckily I've already been accepted to Hunter but I'm still waiting to hear back from Columbia and NYU and any possible financial aid.

The earning power of someone that went to Columbia/NYU over someone that went to Hunter is something that I've also wondered about. A graduate from Columbia will probably be more attractive than a graduate from Hunter to an average layperson (client looking for a therapist, non-social work employer). For someone like myself hoping to eventually go into private practice, it's something to consider.

Also, I'm curious about potential networking opportunities and the ease of finding a decent paying position after graduation. One of the big draws of Ivy schools is that you're in an "exclusive" club that takes care of their own. I'm sure this is more prevalent in other fields like business and law, but I'm wondering if it exists somewhat in the social work world as well.

In general MA/MS programs are not as competitive to get into. They give a lot less funding to these programs unlike PHD’s and bachelor degrees. If I were to get a PHD I would try to attend a higher ranking college, but not for an MSW. If your ultimate goal is to go into private practice why not get a PHD in psychology? I think most of your future employers would want to know the same. I am not saying there are not successful LCSW in private practice, but many have been social workers for years. I hate to say this, but if a client is worried about the prestige of a college the chances are they would not seek a LCSW rather a psychologist or psychiatrist who went to an ivy.

The tuition goes towards the cost of running a university. Private colleges get no public aid.

Edited March 14, 2011 by angel'swife

[JessicaX]

In general MA/MS programs are not as competitive to get into. They give a lot less funding to these programs unlike PHD’s and bachelor degrees. If I were to get a PHD I would try to attend a higher ranking college, but not for an MSW. If your ultimate goal is to go into private practice why not get a PHD in psychology? I think most of your future employers would want to know the same. I am not saying there are not successful LCSW in private practice, but many have been social workers for years. I hate to say this, but if a client is worried about the prestige of a college the chances are they would not seek a LCSW rather a psychologist or psychiatrist who went to an ivy.

The tuition goes towards the cost of running a university. Private colleges get no public aid.

The private practice goal is not an immediate one. First, I would probably try to get into a VA hospital or work for an agency that serves the developmentally disabled population like I do now. I've thought about going the PhD route but unfortunately I don't have 5-6 years to spend in school and I'm not crazy about research. You're probably right about clients choosing a psychologist or psychiatrist over a masters level clinician, but not every client will have that choice due to finances or insurance.

Edited March 14, 2011 by JessicaX

[angel'swife]

The private practice goal is not an immediate one. First, I would probably try to get into a VA hospital or work for an agency that serves the developmentally disabled population like I do now. I've thought about going the PhD route but unfortunately I don't have 5-6 years to spend in school and I'm not crazy about research. You're probably right about clients choosing a psychologist or psychiatrist over a masters level clinician, but not every client will have that choice due to finances or insurance.

Hence the unnecessary need to go to an ivy. If a client has no choice in whom they can see than it makes no difference. The field is not high paying so the price tag can unquestionably be a deterrent. Paying an $800+ monthly student loan while making $50,000 is going to be misery. NYU, Columbia, and Hunter graduates all take the same tests when trying to become licensed the only difference is one is not living off Ramen noodles.