HGSE or Penn (Higher Ed)?

[HigherEd2013]

Anyone else struggling with this decision? After Penn's visit day, I was just blown away.

[shinydrag]

I am actually struggling between UCLA and Penn. I couldn't go to preview day -- what made Penn awesome in your opinion?
 

[CQE]

Anyone else struggling with this decision? After Penn's visit day, I was just blown away.

 

It came down to Penn and HGSE for me, too. However, after visiting both schools and cities back in January, I knew I was going to HGSE if I got in.

 

I really like the people at Penn, though, and I know I could be happy there as well.

 

Definitely a tough call. For me, the city played a big part in my decision considering I'll be there for at least 6 years. I have a fiancee, too, so I wanted her to be in the best position possible for her future career. I just think Boston is the best place for us.

Edited March 28, 2013 by CQE

[sshopeful]

Penn is very well respected in Higher Ed. You won't make a wrong choice though.

[HigherEd2013]

I loved Penn. Everyone was incredibly nice and helpful. The focus of the program, on access and diversity, is crucial for me. I sat in on two classes and loved it- interesting topics and professors. The professors are really open door (and young!). Because the professors are young, they are more willing to take students on, make time to help them, and listen to their ideas. One of the things that was a big draw was the diversity of the cohort. I'm worried that HGSE's cohort wouldn't be as diverse. The last day, I had five graduate assistantship interviews. It was crazy, but I really ended up loving one of them and they were pretty interested in me. The overall theme of the GAs was "how can we help you" and "what do you want to learn," as opposed to "what can you do for us?" "why should we hire you." I had never experienced anything like it.

 

The drawbacks: They were really, REALLY practice focused. I kind of like how Harvard is a combination of research, practice and policy. I'm still debating how many hours I would want a GA to be, 10 (HGSE) or 20 (Penn). There were also so many students who were just coming out of undergrad. Since higher ed is a lot of talking, I think it would be difficult to learn as much from a group that hasn't had as much work experience.

 

Anyway, I just was wondering what others thought.

[hesadork]

Congratulations; these are both superb programs, and you really can't go wrong either way.  I'd suggest considering two things:

 

1)  Location -- do you prefer Boston or Philly?  They're both great towns, but very different.  Where do you feel the most comfortable and where do you think you'd have the most fun?  (I'm not suggesting that superficial concerns like 'fun' should rule the day here...but I know personally that I love Boston but could take or leave Philly.  If you have a preference too, that should be factored in.)

 

2)  Cost -- You mention the GA-ship differential...does that imply that you could attend Penn for less $$ out of pocket?  If so, do it.  The ROI for this degree is limited, and the less debt you incur, the better.

 

Finally, I'd suggest that you not over-read the curricular focus (practice vs. research/practice/policy).  These are one year master's programs.  There are differences, in part driven by the GA-ship, but they're modest.

[cdm601]

Definitely a tough call. For me, the city played a big part in my decision considering I'll be there for at least 6 years. I have a fiancee, too, so I wanted her to be in the best position possible for her future career. I just think Boston is the best place for us.

 

CQE, why do you say you will be in the city for at least 6 years?  Isn't your program just one?

[CQE]

CQE, why do you say you will be in the city for at least 6 years?  Isn't your program just one?

 

Indeed, that is the length of my program. However, there is an optional second year I could do for extra certification (CAS). If I ultimately decide to work within schools, I'll probably do that additional year because it's supposed to be helpful in landing a school job.

 

So, 1-2 years is what it'll be for me.

 

The six years was more so in reference to my fiancee. I'm a current senior in undergrad, whereas she's a current sophomore. She'll be transferring into a Boston school (Tufts, BU, or UMass-Boston) to finish her final two years, and then shoot for vet school at Tufts. 6 years is the minimum, as she would have to be accepted into Cummings Vet School her first go 'round for it to be only 6 years. It could wind up being 7 or 8 or 9 depending on how long it takes her to get in. If she gets into another vet school, we could leave earlier than that, but she's pretty set on Tufts for vet school.

 

But, we might stay in Boston beyond that as well. It really just depends on how happy we are in Boston when that time comes, or if one of us gets a great opportunity elsewhere.

 

Lots of variables, but I'm confident and hopeful she gets into Cummings at some point. Thus, the reason I said at least 6 years.

Edited April 4, 2013 by CQE