Comparing Ed Policy at Stanford, Harvard, and Vanderbilt

[PerfectSummerDay]

I am very fortunate, and was accepted to my top choices for International Education Policy. I am genuinely torn, as all of these are amazing schools, with a great faculty. That being said, I am leaning more toward Vanderbilt and Stanford. For others in a similar position, what are your thoughts on these schools (Ed, or Ed Policy, not necessarily just International Ed Policy)? What program characteristics are you factoring into your decision?

 

Here are the main points I am considering: 

 

1. Length of program: Harvard and Stanford are 1 year programs. While most Harvard students in this program do an internship, Stanford students do not. Vanderbilt is a 2 year program, with a required summer internship (I'm thinking I'd go abroad for this!). Given the length of the Vandy program, they are able to focus more on research methods and statistic/analytic training without sacrificing the other topics relevant to this degree. I feel like this would be beneficial when applying to jobs later. Also, I am thinking that the extra year may be worth the cost, if I am able to learn more and explore topics that I may not otherwise have the chance to.

 

2. Faculty: Well, faculty is pretty much amazing at all these schools, so I am stuck here. I guess if I had to pick faculty research that most closely aligns with what I want to do, I would choose Brian Heuser and this colleagues at Vandy.

 

3. Cost/quality of living in Palo Alto/Boston/Nashville: It is waaaay cheaper to live in Nashville, but I am from the Bay Area and love it here. That being said, Nashville is pretty cool too. I would be a little worried about finding decent housing close to campus though, as there are so many students living in the city. Palo Alto is really freaking expensive, but Stanford offers a lottery for subsidized graduate housing (even for couples and students with kids). Boston is super cold-- lovely at certain times of the year-- but freaking cold in the winter.

 

So, basically I love Vandy. But.... I hate to say it, I can't get  the reputations of Stanford and Harvard out of my head (although I know Vandy is also very well regarded in this field). I will probably learn more after visiting Stanford at the end of the month. While cost of tuition is important to me, I was lucky to receive some scholarships, and I am of the mindset that I don't mind taking out more loans to invest in my education. As a result, this is not really part of my decision, but that is just me.

 

Thanks for letting me think out loud. I would love to hear what others are thinking regarding this decision! Trust me, if feels good to type it all out!

 

Best of luck to all!

[bakalamba]

I'm only partially familiar with these schools, but Stanford does have an excellent program (however, it seems like it used to be even more excellent in the past - a former faculty member described it to me as being "downsized"). I'm sure it's hard to resist the cull of the reputation of Stanford and Harvard. It seems like you're leaning towards Vanderbilt, for good reasons.

 

I can only recommend having a second year for your MA - particularly if you don't have plans for a PhD, or want to gain significant employment after the MA. I graduated from UCLA's Comparative Ed Masters, which was one year, and felt as if my education was cut short: no methods courses beyond the introductory, no ability to put theory into practice in the field, no assistantship or internship. If a program gives me the opportunity or time to go abroad for research, that's a pretty big deal for me - and in International Education, it's crucial.

 

In the end, people in the field know where the top programs are, whether they're in a top 10 school or not. And your choices are between these three - which is pretty fantastic, you'll do well wherever you go.

[PerfectSummerDay]

I'm only partially familiar with these schools, but Stanford does have an excellent program (however, it seems like it used to be even more excellent in the past - a former faculty member described it to me as being "downsized"). I'm sure it's hard to resist the cull of the reputation of Stanford and Harvard. It seems like you're leaning towards Vanderbilt, for good reasons.

 

I can only recommend having a second year for your MA - particularly if you don't have plans for a PhD, or want to gain significant employment after the MA. I graduated from UCLA's Comparative Ed Masters, which was one year, and felt as if my education was cut short: no methods courses beyond the introductory, no ability to put theory into practice in the field, no assistantship or internship. If a program gives me the opportunity or time to go abroad for research, that's a pretty big deal for me - and in International Education, it's crucial.

 

In the end, people in the field know where the top programs are, whether they're in a top 10 school or not. And your choices are between these three - which is pretty fantastic, you'll do well wherever you go.

 

Thank you for the reply rbamattre! Your advice on program length was very helpful!