UCLA vs. FSU vs. UWashington-education

[Kirs10]

I was admitted into UCLA for the one year MA program in Higher Education with my dream professor. He and I have very similar research interests. I'm under the impression from the head of student affairs that internal applicants to the PhD program are almost guaranteed admission. The one year program would provide me with no funding, but then I would be able to enter the PhD program and likely gain funding. After learning more about the professor, it seems he travels a lot and I'm worried about him being inaccessible, though professors there generally take on  have two advisees.

UCLA is ranked 3rd for this program (higher ed and organizational change). 

 

I've also been admitted to the Med program at University of Washington under a cool professor, who I am less interested in, but still like. The program is a two year one and, again, I don't think I would get any funding. It would end up being more expensive than UCLA if that is the case. The Med degree in Organizational and Policy Studies may have broader applications than the MA in Higher Education. 

 

Finally, I've been accepted into FSU's MS program for Educational Policy and Evaluation under. There may be funding, but even without funding the two year degree would be almost 1/4 the cost of the other options. Her research interests are similar to mine, but not nearly as similar as the other options. I am going to meet with her this coming week to learn more about her future and current research interests.

 

 

 I'm really not sure what the wisest decision is at this point. If finances weren't an issue and the MA in Higher Education isn't limiting, I would prefer UCLA. 

Thoughts?

[radiomars]

Given the fact that you described him as your "dream professor" and the higher ranking of the UCLA (assuming that is relevant to your field), I say go LA. I think it'd be a smart idea to meet up with the POI from FSU and gather your thoughts, but it seems you are leaning to UCLA as well. As to professors being inaccessible, that's kind of a fact of life in academia. Do you have access to his other grad students or others in the department? Perhaps you can email and snoop around as to how communication is when he is traveling. 

 

Also, I was a former Bruin and am biased. UCLA is beautiful, I think you'll love it.