NYU or Northwestern?! (please help :/)

[HKsai]

I applied to master programs in mental health counseling (MHC) or marriage and family therapy (MFT). I got accepted to NYU for Mental Health Counseling, MA with a 40% tution scholarship. I just got a call today from Northwestern and they told me I'm second alternate on their waitlist for MFT, MS. I will have to tell them by tomorrow if I want to commit to their special alternate spot. What they mean by that is that I will have to drop other acceptances and commit to their program. I might have to wait all the way till August before I can hear back. They said there's a big chance, but I also need to drop other acceptances because if I don't get in this year, they will guarantee me a spot for next fall.

 

For both MFT and MHC licensure I will have to work under a licensed therapist/counselor for 2 years before I can apply. So pretty much I will have to stay another 2 years after my master program.

 

Northwestern

 

Pros:

• MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, a more scientific approach to counseling which I like. (Biopsychosocial model, interpersonal approach)
• Slightly smaller program
• Reputation of Northwestern plus number 1 in Marriage and Family Therapy
• 100% employment rate
• Visited the school, and I'm pretty neutral about the program (Have not visited NYU)
• Cheaper rent

 

Cons:

• Mostly no financial aid
• Chicago weather, no intention for staying in Chicago for long
• Far from family (in DC)
• Might have to defer till next fall if there's no spot
• More expensive program
• Absolutely hate the color purple lol

 

NYU

 

Pros:

• Great internship opportunities
• 40% tuition scholarship
• Close to family
• Like the urban city life
• More reputable outside of US (for some reason?!)
• Slight cheaper program

Cons:

• Slightly lower ranking than Northwestern (the education school is ranked 20th)
• More traditional approach to counseling (Mental Health Counseling, intraperosnal approach)
• Have no visited the program
• More expensive rent
• Again, absolutely hate the color purple lol

Edited April 4, 2014 by HKsai

[elken]

NYU obvs  

[Vene]

The only way I'd say not to go with NYU is if the cost of living is so much higher that the reduced tuition isn't worth it. Somehow, I doubt this is the case.

[deci:belle]

NYU sounds like the better the deal. The 40% off is pretty clutch too!

[HKsai]

The only way I'd say not to go with NYU is if the cost of living is so much higher that the reduced tuition isn't worth it. Somehow, I doubt this is the case.

 

 

NYU sounds like the better the deal. The 40% off is pretty clutch too!

Approximately 30k more in debt after the program if I go to Northwestern.

[HKsai]

Shameless bump. I'm wondering if NW's reputation is worth the 30k debt? Tbh I went to a no name undergrad so I've always wanted to go to a prestigious school. I know it sounds really shallow but the program is also not bad. Most of my friends think that I go to a community college for undergraduate :/

[bsharpe269]

NYU for sure

[chigirl2014]

I went to northwestern for undergrad and took a couple classes in the MFT program. First, the classes and professors are really great. I'm not interested in this area at all, but I still learned a lot and found them to be incredibly interesting.

Second, the rent in Chicago/Evanston is not necessarily cheaper than NYC. Yes you might get a nicer space for your money, but a studio in a good apartment building near campus is still going to cost at least $1200 per month. Just something to think about.

As someone who has gone to northwestern I do think the reputation is worth the money. I've seen how going there has REALLY helped in my own job/educational pursuits. But that's just my personal opinion.

[HKsai]

I went to northwestern for undergrad and took a couple classes in the MFT program. First, the classes and professors are really great. I'm not interested in this area at all, but I still learned a lot and found them to be incredibly interesting.

Second, the rent in Chicago/Evanston is not necessarily cheaper than NYC. Yes you might get a nicer space for your money, but a studio in a good apartment building near campus is still going to cost at least $1200 per month. Just something to think about.

As someone who has gone to northwestern I do think the reputation is worth the money. I've seen how going there has REALLY helped in my own job/educational pursuits. But that's just my personal opinion.

I'm super torn now :/. Apartments in NYC are around 2300+ if I don't wanna live in a super sketchy place. Ahh! Thanks anyways I will probably hear back next week. If I don't get into the program after the first wave, I will probably gonna go to NYU since I can't risk not going to school this year.

[Etownenviro]

I also attended NU undergrad and can also attest it's an amazing school experience and yes in downtown an apt can be 1,200 a mo but honestly as someone who also grew up in Evanstin if your willing to live in south evanston on like main or dempster (both walkable to campus plus there is a free NU bus stop that goes by there) instead of in like evanston place or another large complex near the campus you can pay less than that easily. I lived in really nice buildings and never paid more than 700 including utilities so there are good deals if your willing to look a little!

Also for leaving chicago I haven't felt tied or forced to be in the Midwest at all! NUs brand name can take you back to DC no problem if that is a concern for you.

$30k is a lot of money but I think the cost of living being lower probably helps the overall cost but obviously NYU is also a great school and it sounds like they can both serve you well.

[HKsai]

I also attended NU undergrad and can also attest it's an amazing school experience and yes in downtown an apt can be 1,200 a mo but honestly as someone who also grew up in Evanstin if your willing to live in south evanston on like main or dempster (both walkable to campus plus there is a free NU bus stop that goes by there) instead of in like evanston place or another large complex near the campus you can pay less than that easily. I lived in really nice buildings and never paid more than 700 including utilities so there are good deals if your willing to look a little!

Also for leaving chicago I haven't felt tied or forced to be in the Midwest at all! NUs brand name can take you back to DC no problem if that is a concern for you.

$30k is a lot of money but I think the cost of living being lower probably helps the overall cost but obviously NYU is also a great school and it sounds like they can both serve you well.

Thanks so much for the information. I did an estimate of how much debt I will have after the two programs (factoring in everything), and I will end up 30k more in debt if I go to NU. That's due to NYU program being cheaper and obviously the scholarship. I really like the NU program but I just don't know if it is viable to pick it, especially counselors don't make a lot of $ :/

 

Do you guys think the NYU name carries any weight outside of the states at all? I was born in Seattle but grew up in HK, and I want to keep my option open just in case if I want to go back to HK for work.

Edited April 6, 2014 by HKsai