Accepting one school while deferring another(an Ivy)

[LiaLia]

I applied for Master's in Social Sciences and Education.

Both fields suit my interests- I was looking to just finish my Master's and get a job afterwards.

My field is actually a very specialized topic in both of the abovementioned fields.

So either one is fine by me.

I got a dilemma though.

One school- a reputable school in the region but def. NOT ivy league or any of the big name ones

offered me a full ride for the first year of Master's.

My top choice- one of the Ivy Leagues- accepted me. But with no funding. And this program is for one year.

I also have the option of deferring the admission for a year at this school.

Since I have been out of school for a few years, one of my former advisors was recommending that

I go to the first school, spend a year there while deferring at the Ivy one. If the school suits me,

great, then I can stay for the 2nd year of Master's. If not, or the school does not offer the same kind of

generous fin. aid package for the 2nd year, I can always go to the Ivy one.

It makes sense- but I am afraid that changing schools may not reflect too positively on my resume?!

Also, how much will I improve academically in one year?? I don't know.

I have enough money to pay for the one year of tuition at the Ivy- but I am a bit afraid that I may be broke afterwards & will need a job after completing the degree...

Well, thoughts anyone?!

p.s.: My advisor was always pushing me to pursue a Ph.D since my undergrad years. But honestly, I'm not too

thrilled nor interested in Ph.D right now- I just want to finish school for a year or two & get a job.

[LiaLia]

Stupid me. I'm so new to this board- I just gave myself a minus. What the heck.

[XOwlfan]

Hmmm. Congrats on such great choices! I'd say go with the funded offer. Is the one year master's degree at an Ivy by any chance Harvard Graduate School of Education? If so, most of the concentrations there accept more than 50% of the applicants, very few funded (in which sense you may be happier if you go somewhere you are more "wanted" if you know what I mean). If I had to choose between an unfunded program at HGSE (or other Ivy) and an unfunded program elsewhere, I'd choose the Ivy. But funding changes the whole scenario---especially if you're in the field of education where a big paycheck is never a guarantee in the end.

[LiaLia]

Thanks for your comments.

No, it's not HSGE.

I actually have offers from the other two schools of education in the Ivy League(*wink wink*).

I did not apply to Harvard- I was not too crazy about MA...so I chose other schools in big cities.

My major is something more practical in education- so I may get a job outside of the education field.

I was actually thinking of going to law school or another field in social sciences after my Master's in Education.

But you're right- maybe it IS better to go somewhere I'm really wanted...so hard to make a choice though with only 3 more days to go till deadline to accept the offer.

Hmmm. Congrats on such great choices! I'd say go with the funded offer. Is the one year master's degree at an Ivy by any chance Harvard Graduate School of Education? If so, most of the concentrations there accept more than 50% of the applicants, very few funded (in which sense you may be happier if you go somewhere you are more "wanted" if you know what I mean). If I had to choose between an unfunded program at HGSE (or other Ivy) and an unfunded program elsewhere, I'd choose the Ivy. But funding changes the whole scenario---especially if you're in the field of education where a big paycheck is never a guarantee in the end.

Edited April 12, 2011 by LiaLia