Vanderbilt vs. Columbia (Education)

[zsyplane]

I got two admits. The M. Ed. program of Learning and Instruction at Vanderbilt University and MA program of elementary inclusive education-initial certificate at Columbia University.

I haven't decide to work or pursue a Ed.D. but I have the long term goal to be the principal of an elementary school.

 

Thoughts?

[Just Jeff]

Which school seems to be the best fit for you? Or what are you leaning towards?

[RomulusAugustulus]

I don't know anything about the programs, except that Vandy and CU have two of the top education schools, so congrats! BUT I can say that Nashville is a much cheaper city, if funding is an issue. I did my MA at Vandy, and am likely going to be doing my PhD at Columbia, so I obviously think they're both great institutions  . I just wanted to post to let you know you can PM me if you have specific questions about Vanderbilt or Nashville. Though, like I said, I can't tell you much about Peabody (except that the campus and library are lovely).

[sem]

Congrats! I am sure you know what is best for you after visiting both programs, so trust your own process and take any comments (including mine) with a grain of salt. Both are great schools. One of my collegues did their post-doc at Vanderbilt and has shared that she was a bit turned off by the culture that accompanied the competative climate and other things about the culture. My collegue was careful, as a great researcher, to clarify that her impression was her personal experience and asks others before generalizing. That is to say that I'm sure it depends on your own personality, your cohort, who you work with, etc. Columbia is also highly competative, but I haven't heard anything negative about it in relation to the culture. I have a few friends who got their MA's there and felt like they had a rigous but good experience.  All in all, I think it depends on who you are. I work with a lot of researchers in education and reputation wise you can't go wrong with either. Think a lot about who you will be working with and the people you've met.  Reach out to the current grad students.  Their response to questions about the programs strengths and weakness as well as "reading between the lines" when talking to them will really help. The grad students openness to answering emails and questions over the phone now might give you a sense of their support or the culture when you attend school there. The location really matters too, since they are different places (funding matters as well).  Best of luck in your decision!