kldfweldsc Posted March 6, 2012 Posted March 6, 2012 Hey guys! I figured I'd start a thread for those who have made their final decisions, so that we can connect with people that will be in the same programs! I'll be a Wolverine at the University of Michigan starting this Fall, under the Interpersonal Practice/Mental Health area.
missdanielle Posted March 6, 2012 Posted March 6, 2012 pending on Berkeley's decision, I'm going to UCLA. It's nice to know that come this fall, I'll definitely be registered in an MSW program! It's such a relief to be able to put this application process to an end and congrats to everyone on your final decisions.
arjayz Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 I am going to Columbia Me too! I'll be at the Columbia/JTS dual degree program. It's a huge relief to have a definite plan for next fall!
cjcook Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 For those of you going to Columbia - how did you make your final decision? I got into their program but am waiting to hear back from my other schools but its my top choice, yet I'm nervous about the financial aid situation and am not sure how to decide.
vmpancucci Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 For those of you going to Columbia - how did you make your final decision? I got into their program but am waiting to hear back from my other schools but its my top choice, yet I'm nervous about the financial aid situation and am not sure how to decide. I just turned down Columbia, due to lack of a sufficient financial aid (grants/scholarships). I'm not going to just go to grad school for the sake of going, without weighing the amount of debt I would get myself into. UPenn offered me so much more, but I'd still rather be in California. Still waiting to hear back from Berkeley, USC, and UCLA.
doubleflower2 Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 I'm going to Columbia too! And their financial package wasn't so terrible as everyone made it out to be!
arjayz Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 For those of you going to Columbia - how did you make your final decision? I got into their program but am waiting to hear back from my other schools but its my top choice, yet I'm nervous about the financial aid situation and am not sure how to decide. I applied to a bunch of NY programs and UPenn. I got the most money from NYU but turned it down because I'm really looking for a macro-level education and didn't want a program that focused on clinical social work. The other schools I got into were not my top choices by any means, so they didn't really come into consideration once I got accepted to Columbia and UPenn. I got similar financial aid packages from both Columbia and UPenn, so I knew I'd be paying around the same thing at either institution. I'm a New Yorker, and I liked the idea of getting out of NY... but at the same time it did make me wary to start in a new city and at the time of my final decision, I decided I'd rather be near my family and friends. What I really based my decision on are two particular aspects of the Columbia program: (1) the very well developed SEA program, and (2) the JTS dual-degree program (while UPenn has a similar dual degree, the program is not as well developed or highly regarded.) At the end of the day, I just felt that those two programs would best prepare me for my future career goals, and so I chose Columbia! Good luck with your choice!
akaplan Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 I applied to a bunch of NY programs and UPenn. I got the most money from NYU but turned it down because I'm really looking for a macro-level education and didn't want a program that focused on clinical social work. The other schools I got into were not my top choices by any means, so they didn't really come into consideration once I got accepted to Columbia and UPenn. I got similar financial aid packages from both Columbia and UPenn, so I knew I'd be paying around the same thing at either institution. I'm a New Yorker, and I liked the idea of getting out of NY... but at the same time it did make me wary to start in a new city and at the time of my final decision, I decided I'd rather be near my family and friends. What I really based my decision on are two particular aspects of the Columbia program: (1) the very well developed SEA program, and (2) the JTS dual-degree program (while UPenn has a similar dual degree, the program is not as well developed or highly regarded.) At the end of the day, I just felt that those two programs would best prepare me for my future career goals, and so I chose Columbia! Good luck with your choice! I am thinking about doing the jts too! ahhh so excited!
akaplan Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 I'm going to Columbia too! And their financial package wasn't so terrible as everyone made it out to be! I know! It was more than excepted! I am so excited to make new friends at columbia!
MeganParkins Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 My application to Columbia was complete 1/9 and I've heard nothing since. How long did it take for you to hear?
roxyshoe Posted March 8, 2012 Posted March 8, 2012 I'm 99% sure I am going to Michigan Technically accepted there. It would have to take a nearly full scholarship somewhere else for me to change my mind, but I doubt that will happen. I have already started to seriously check out housing in AA too so if I sign a lease then I definitely ain't changing my mind! So annoyed with how long other schools are taking, though. I have pretty much stopped caring about checking my mail and inbox every morning like I used to, lol.
doubleflower2 Posted March 8, 2012 Posted March 8, 2012 My application to Columbia was complete 1/9 and I've heard nothing since. How long did it take for you to hear? I applied on 1/15 and heard back on 2/10
rjose Posted March 8, 2012 Posted March 8, 2012 So glad to see this thread! I've been wanting to see if folks have made final decisions yet. For those who haven't done so already, do you mind sharing WHY you chose the school you chose (i.e. location, aid given, prestige of the school etc.) Thanks!
rjose Posted March 8, 2012 Posted March 8, 2012 (edited) I just turned down Columbia, due to lack of a sufficient financial aid (grants/scholarships). I'm not going to just go to grad school for the sake of going, without weighing the amount of debt I would get myself into. UPenn offered me so much more, but I'd still rather be in California. Still waiting to hear back from Berkeley, USC, and UCLA. Yes, I agree - I think it's great that you're being financially responsible. I was wondering if you applied to any of the California State Schools? I hear if you get the stipend/s you're basically getting your entire tuition covered. Edited March 8, 2012 by rjose
rjose Posted March 8, 2012 Posted March 8, 2012 I'm going to Columbia too! And their financial package wasn't so terrible as everyone made it out to be! Congrats on the Columbia acceptance! That's great news. I've heard great things about Columbia's program. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing the financial aid package you received? Thanks so much!
vmpancucci Posted March 8, 2012 Posted March 8, 2012 Yes, I agree - I think it's great that you're being financially responsible. I was wondering if you applied to any of the California State Schools? I hear if you get the stipend/s you're basically getting your entire tuition covered. Thanks. From what I hear, the prestige of the school matters very little when it comes to employment after graduation, which is why it was easy for me to turn down Columbia, especially after what they offered me in terms of aid. I still want to go to a university and program that are well-ranked/recognized, which is why my top choices are Berkeley, UCLA, and USC. No, I didn't apply to any of the CSUs. I graduated from UC Riverside and really want to pursue my MSW at a UC. I feel that a public university like UCLA or Berkeley will offer me a fantastic program, with the benefits of their respective reputations and awesome locations.
doubleflower2 Posted March 9, 2012 Posted March 9, 2012 Congrats on the Columbia acceptance! That's great news. I've heard great things about Columbia's program. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing the financial aid package you received? Thanks so much! Sure! I got a 9500 scholarship grant and 3700 in work study
rjose Posted March 9, 2012 Posted March 9, 2012 (edited) Sure! I got a 9500 scholarship grant and 3700 in work study Thanks for sharing! Sorry, one last question, how did you know how much work study money you were getting? I filled out my FAFSA, but does Work Study vary from school to school? Edited March 9, 2012 by rjose
vmpancucci Posted March 9, 2012 Posted March 9, 2012 Thanks for sharing! Yeah, when tuition and fees are at $41,741 and living expenses estimated at $25,140, that $9,500 and $3,700 looks like nothing. Exactly the reason I turned them down. I received about the same in aid.
rjose Posted March 9, 2012 Posted March 9, 2012 Yeah, when tuition and fees are at $41,741 and living expenses estimated at $25,140, that $9,500 and $3,700 looks like nothing. Exactly the reason I turned them down. I received about the same in aid. Yeah, sorry doubleflower2, but I agree with vmpancucci, that's still expensive (even with the $9500 and $3700), especially with New York's cost of living. I have a co-worker who got her MSW from Columbia and yes, the experience was great, but she said, academic wise, you could get the same education at other schools for a fraction of the price, but what she liked about Columbia was the networking. She's met some great people.
acb1023 Posted March 9, 2012 Posted March 9, 2012 (edited) Yeah, sorry doubleflower2, but I agree with vmpancucci, that's still expensive (even with the $9500 and $3700), especially with New York's cost of living. I have a co-worker who got her MSW from Columbia and yes, the experience was great, but she said, academic wise, you could get the same education at other schools for a fraction of the price, but what she liked about Columbia was the networking. She's met some great people. Agreed. $133,762 for a MSW is a bit steep, if you ask me. Especially when they only give out $7-$12K in scholarships... http://www.columbia....cost/index.html Edited March 9, 2012 by cdweaz
doubleflower2 Posted March 9, 2012 Posted March 9, 2012 (edited) In response to money-- Compared to what I heard a lot of other people saying it sounded pretty good. Some people only got 4000 and no work study. But you are right it is steep I wish that I applied to Hunter earlier! Also the school told me how much work study I was getting after I checked it on my FAFSA Edited March 9, 2012 by doubleflower2
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