nicolemanette Posted April 11, 2014 Posted April 11, 2014 With 3 days to decide between 2 MSW/MPH dual degree programs, I am queasy and in a panic. Any insight or advice would be immensely appreciated. Here is a very general run-down of the dilemma: School A: An Ivy, ranked #16 for MSW program, MPH program is not ranked; much closer to my family and my partner of 2+ years (who would be able to move to City A but not City ; offering a very decent scholarship and the opportunity to do the 25 hr/week SW field work requirement as work study for $10/hr; throughout the appliation process both the sw and ph programs have been solicitous and personable, making it very clear that they want me; have been to the campus twice - for the interview and for an accepted students open house - and was definitely pleased, but not blown away... School B: While it lacks the prestige and name recognition of School A, the MSW and MPH programs are ranked higher (both at #11); the curricula of both programs are more geared toward my interests and objectives, and there are more profs in both programs who I see as potential mentors and with whom I would loove to do research. I have never been to the campus or the city - was accepted into the MPH program many weeks ago, but the MSW acceptance only came yesterday, and there was no offer for funding... It is friday and I have until tuesday to decide. I am planning to make the (significantly longer) trek out to School B on sunday and stay through monday. Any and all advice and insight is welcome. I don't have anyone in my own life who has gone through a similar decision-making process to talk to. Thank you so much!!
justastudent Posted April 12, 2014 Posted April 12, 2014 Do you see yourself doing research or social work practice or something else after graduation? Also, what would be the net cost of each school? Right now from your post it sounds like you want to go to school B. If it was me, I would have gone with the school A the Ivy w/some funding and the added support of family, because I wanted to go on to doctoral studies and the Ivy name could help. Also family/partner support is really helpful for long term studies (dual degree should be 3 years at least?). Also, if you want a certain job in city A you can possibly get an internship that will hire you afterwards. Many of my cohort were hired by their placements. Best of luck, let us know what you choose and why.
nicolemanette Posted April 12, 2014 Author Posted April 12, 2014 Do you see yourself doing research or social work practice or something else after graduation? Also, what would be the net cost of each school? Right now from your post it sounds like you want to go to school B. If it was me, I would have gone with the school A the Ivy w/some funding and the added support of family, because I wanted to go on to doctoral studies and the Ivy name could help. Also family/partner support is really helpful for long term studies (dual degree should be 3 years at least?). Also, if you want a certain job in city A you can possibly get an internship that will hire you afterwards. Many of my cohort were hired by their placements. Best of luck, let us know what you choose and why. Ideally I would like to engage in direct practice as well as community-based participatory research after graduating. School B's offerings in both of these areas are superior to School A's. And even with the funding from School A I would have more debt than School B with no funding... I keep thinking it's a no-brainer, and yet I can't muster the conviction to commit to one or the other.
juilletmercredi Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 (edited) Ok, your last post changed things. I was going to say absolutely School A, but if you will have more debt at School A than School B, that changes things. The question is - how MUCH more debt? Is it a significant amount, likely to make a big difference in your ability to repay the loans? If they're pretty close as far as debt goes, I'd go with School A. As far as I know, getting your field work paid is very uncommon (I had a few social work friends and none of them got paid for their field work) so that's a huge attraction on top of the scholarship. Plus it's closer to your family and partner. I am positive that at an Ivy League school of social work there are plenty of professors doing research, some of which is probably interesting to you. In an MSW program the research with professors isn't as important as fieldwork placement and funding, especially if your goal is direct practice. If School B is significantly cheaper, though, I'd choose B. Really, on this one, the money would be the deciding factor. Edited April 13, 2014 by juilletmercredi justastudent 1
justastudent Posted April 14, 2014 Posted April 14, 2014 I wholeheartedly agree with what juilletmercredi said. net cost and placement (leading to job) are the criteria for masters (sans phd)! good luck.
Recommended Posts