Vandy vs Penn GSE

[scarletstudent]

Hi all,

 

I'm looking to get into the Education field and am open in regards to location of school. I got into Peabody at Vanderbilt (M.Ed in Elementary Education) and GSE at University of Pennsylvania (M.S.Ed in Middle Level Education - focus on Literacy, with an option to switch to Elementary).

 

Both of these schools are amazing - I visited them during Master's Visiting Days and am now torn between the two. If anyone, especially in the Education field, could provide some type of feedback or perspective it'd be most appreciated . 

 

Here is a general pros and cons list:

 

Vandy Pros:

- #1 in Education

- I got a 1/3 tuition scholarship

- cheaper living/good weather

- ELL endorsement available 

- Qualified for a work-study gig

 

Vandy Cons:

- 2 year program, lengthy 

- less diversity in the area (I've lived in NJ/NY for 25 years, so it'd be a change)

- would need to figure out logistics of moving, getting a car, etc, for the length of the program since I don't plan on living in Nashville long-term. 

 

UPenn Pros:

- Ivy League

- 1/4 tuition scholarship

- public transportation available

- cheap living available

- I could picture myself teaching and living in Philly long-term (and it's close enough to NJ/NY to transition back to my hometown)

- urban education immersion

 

UPenn Cons:

- TEP program is not ranked high for Elementary/Middle Education, not in the top 15 at least

- 1 year program, very accelerated and busy

 

As you can see...there are wonderful pros about each school and I'm a bit conflicted. I want to get back to them as soon as I decide, so that I can figure out housing, logistics, and when to quit my job. Finance is not a HUGE factor here for me, because the difference in cost is marginal. I'm moreso looking for opinions on the quality of these programs, weight of the experiences, and effect on job prospects (even though I know teaching is a tough field as it is). 

 

Thanks!

[emilyrobot]

I'm in a different program at Peabody, so I don't know that much about your department, but I am a certified teacher. I would say, though, the few people I've known in Elementary Ed getting initial certification are astoundingly busy, and I just can't see compressing the same quality of experience into one year. Unless you have significant classroom experience coming in (and it doesn't sound like you do) I don't think you could build all the skills that you need to be a quality teacher in a year. 

 

The difference in cost isn't marginal, though, unless Penn's a lot more expensive than Vandy, considering the extra year, and the opportunity cost (with the shorter program, you could be out earning a salary in the second year, and you should count missing out on that salary as part of the expense of attending). 

[scarletstudent]

Thanks so much! That's a helpful perspective. You're right...I do value the idea of 2 years of coursework more than accelerating it into 1 year. At the same time, getting into the system quicker and gaining full-time teaching experience is what will help me get a desirable teaching job one day. 

 

I have a tough decision ahead...

[rising_star]

Penn. It seems like an easier transition plus you can start building connections while in school to help you get employment in the area (where you seem to want to be) after graduation.