M. Ed. Higher Ed Admin--U of Michigan or Vanderbilt?

[lobster615]

Hey all! I just finished all of my campus visits and could not be more excited, confused, and ready to start school again!

 

I have narrowed my choices down to University of Michigan and Vanderbilt for a Master's in Higher Education Administration. I know there are others out there in the same/a similar boat as me, and I wanted to know how you are deciding between HEA programs (specifically these if you have been accepted to them, or HEA programs in general).

 

I'm having a really difficult time deciding and wondering what has helped you all choose!

 

Go Blue or Go 'Dores?

[katieliz456]

(Totally random, unhelpful comment) : What do you think of Vanderbilt? It's looking like I will be deciding between Chapel Hill and Vanderbilt for my program (different field), but I won't get a chance to actually visit the university/Nashville Is it a good environment for grad students?

[Guest HEPhD13]

Hey all! I just finished all of my campus visits and could not be more excited, confused, and ready to start school again!

I have narrowed my choices down to University of Michigan and Vanderbilt for a Master's in Higher Education Administration. I know there are others out there in the same/a similar boat as me, and I wanted to know how you are deciding between HEA programs (specifically these if you have been accepted to them, or HEA programs in general).

I'm having a really difficult time deciding and wondering what has helped you all choose!

Go Blue or Go 'Dores?

What do you want to do after your degree?

Research - go to Vanderbilt

Practitioner - Michigan

Unsure - Vanderbilt

If it were up to me, I'd probably decide Peabody regardless of future plans. Peabody does have a focus on research and policy but I'm sure you'd be able to get practical experience if you wanted it.

Good luck!

[lobster615]

You can't beat Peabody's support--the school is incredibly large with as many grad students as undergrad. I live in Nashville and really love Vanderbilt's campus. That being said, Nashville is not my favorite city, but Vanderbilt does exist in somewhat of a bubble.

 

And practical experience is my concern. I want to do both research and prepare myself to be a practitioner, and I'm worried Vanderbilt will be limiting on the experience front. I'm still waiting to hear back from assistantships though.  But if I don't get an assistantship, the field experience can be limited, save for summer and one semester practica. 

 

There's also moving. That can be a pain (but I will do it if it is right for my career!).

Peabody is currently ranked as the #1 education school in the country, but Michigan has the #1 program for Higher Ed Admin. 

[Guest HEPhD13]

There's also moving. That can be a pain (but I will do it if it is right for my career!).

Peabody is currently ranked as the #1 education school in the country, but Michigan has the #1 program for Higher Ed Admin. 

 

People will fight about the numbers until they turn blue-- there are a number of things to consider. 1)Rankings are for doctoral programs and not master's level, 2)some consider the rankings as a ploy/money maker and not necessarily accurate and can't be considered relevant, 3)specific program rankings (i.e. Higher Ed) are done by peer survey results, 4)it's ultimately the work that you do in grad school that will give you the best results when you come out-- the name of the school can help but the work you do is even more important. 

 

In terms of cities, I would personally take Nashville over Ann Arbor! My own personal preference of weather, activities, and overall feel make TN the place where I would want to be! 

 

All that I have stated is obviously my own opinion and you will get people go either way on the matter. I have had a different trajectory than most in our field and just offer my own thoughts and experiences. 

 

Good luck on whatever you choose to do and if you want to chat about it more, I'd be happy to.