schoolpsycher Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 (edited) Can't believe I'm still making my final decision, but I need some help now that I got off the wait list at one of my schools. I've narrowed it down to 2 schools for Ed.S. School Psychology programs. School #1: It's in the city where I went to undergrad and have lived for the 2 years since (far from my family, but I have many friends here). Originally I was sure I wanted to stay here, and this school is VERY cheap because it's a public school- $7,000 for the year. No assistantship offer or funding though, and cost of living in this city is extremely high, so I would find a part-time job somewhere. The school's undergrad reputation is not good, but from everything I've heard, my program has a really great reputation in the field (which I guess is all that matters). I didn't feel like I got a good view of the program at my interview because it was short/we didn't get to meet a lot of faculty, but I have talked to a couple current students that seem to really like it. School #2: This program has a really great reputation in the field, and I haven't gotten a specific funding offer yet, but everyone has gotten an assistantship in past years. I have an interview for an assistantship this week that gives a 50% tuition waiver and a $16,000 stipend.. which basically means I'd just have to pay for cost of living, which is much lower here. I loved this program at my interview, especially the faculty. But the school is kind of in the middle of nowhere and there are only 8 people in the cohort. At the interview, it seemed like most students are from the area/have a significant other/are married, so with only that few of people in the cohort, it makes me nervous. I usually like moving to new places though. I would also have to get my license and buy a car to go to school here, and I don't like driving/am a city girl, so this is another factor. Especially for people with a small cohort in your program, what are your thoughts about moving away for grad school where you don't know anyone? I've heard from many people that it's great to have a support system of family/friends in grad school.. but I've also heard that going away with a small cohort can be great because you become really close. Thoughts/advice? Edited April 13, 2014 by schoolpsycher
iphi Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 Is the off-the-waitlist school UMass Boston? Because I just declined them. I hope you got my spot, it would make me feel so good to know that it is going to good use! I think option #2 is good... I wouldn't worry too much about being in a small cohort. The chances that you'll get super close are high, and if not you're still at a university and in a university town - there should be tons to do and plenty of people to meet even if you have to branch out of your department. As for the rest of the criteria, funding is always a good thing and I also think it's a good idea to try new things and get away from your support system. Then you'll feel even more accomplished and not wonder "what would have happened if I hadn't been to afraid to take risks?" Good luck and congrats!
rising_star Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 I moved across the country for my PhD. My cohort was about twice the size of what yours would be but, of those, only 4 (out of 15) of us weren't in long-term relationships at the start. (No, that's not a typo!) So, I get what you're suggesting. I made friends with some of those people (and, now at the end of our degrees, we're still close), joined some activities for stuff I'm interested in and met people that way, and also made friends with people that weren't in my cohort. My (limited) experience with school psychology suggests that you should carefully consider where your internships/placements will be and where you want to work after graduation. A lot of people that I've known work in/near the area where they did their degree, so you'll want to consider that when choosing. But also, you'll probably want to consider that school psychologists working in public school systems don't make a lot of money.
Rolling Circles Posted April 13, 2014 Posted April 13, 2014 I have been told by many to branch out and expand, so that's what I'm doing. I don't know much about your situation or field, but if option 2 is paying then I would probably go with them.
schoolpsycher Posted April 13, 2014 Author Posted April 13, 2014 Is the off-the-waitlist school UMass Boston? Because I just declined them. I hope you got my spot, it would make me feel so good to know that it is going to good use! I think option #2 is good... I wouldn't worry too much about being in a small cohort. The chances that you'll get super close are high, and if not you're still at a university and in a university town - there should be tons to do and plenty of people to meet even if you have to branch out of your department. As for the rest of the criteria, funding is always a good thing and I also think it's a good idea to try new things and get away from your support system. Then you'll feel even more accomplished and not wonder "what would have happened if I hadn't been to afraid to take risks?" Good luck and congrats! It's for UMass-Boston, but I found out I got off the wait-list on Monday and it's for the EdS program, so I don't think it was your spot.. but I'm sure you made someone happy! I've wavered back and forth a lot, but right now I think I'm leaning toward UMass/School #1. Although part of me wants to get away, I've "gotten away" for undergrad, internships, etc. and for once feel like I'm happy where I am. At School #2, the students seemed to love the program, but I got the impression that they were drowning in work and didn't have much of a life outside the program (they even said that they had class during general grad student activities at night and that none of them were involved in the grad student association, etc.).. so while I COULD meet people outside the program, it seems like it's probably hard to do. From meeting people at interviews, I also know for sure that 3 out of the 8 people who accepted the program are engaged/married.. I feel kinda silly for caring about that, but I'm just not in that stage of my life at all, so I won't have that support system already and still want an opportunity to meet people. While I maybe got a slightly better feeling about this program, I think I'd happier in my life in general attending the first school.. location-wise, friends-wise, and I would still have the opportunity to dance (which is a huge stress reliever for me/something I want to continue during grad school). Thanks so much for your advice everyone!! It's so tough weighing in so many different factors.
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