NEED HELP.. MUST MAKE A DECISION SOON!!!

[ldspsych]

So, I got into three masters programs in mental health counseling, I'm an international student. The three programs are in different cities and would be moving, the cities are Boston, New York and Miami, my husband also got in to three masters programs in another area in the three cities. The school in Miami is very small and doesn't have the best reputation but it's closer to my family, and I think cheaper to live in. The two schools in Boston and New York are great schools but very expensive (can't apply for financial aid since we are international students). We have the money, but I'm not sure if we should spend it on this or on growing our family Anyway, any insight on living in New York vs Boston vs Miami? Is it hard to find affordable apartments? Does it matter what school you go to to get hired later on? Thanks!!!

[diasporabound]

I hope someone has more info than I do, considering that you probably need to make your decision very soon... However, housing in NY is extremely expensive in general, it might be hard to find an affordable, safe, convenient, etc. place if you're in another country and also unfamiliar with the area. In my experience, Boston is expensive for rent, but not as expensive as NY, and the cost of living is in a similar range. I know nothing about Miami. Good luck!

[dupontd]

I've lived in NYC for 12 years. Yes it is incredibly annoying to find housing. You'll have to compromise on some aspect, be it size or location, unless you're very wealthy. That said, security should not be a concern; most of the city is quite safe these days. I'm about to start a MHC program myself (either TC or NYU, gotta pick today!) and I understand it can be a challenge to get situated in NYC after the programs, but I'm undeterred. If the market is that poor in 3-4 years, I'll simply move. But I think I'll be able to work something out if I work diligently at building up a name from day 1. 

 

Please let me know if you have any more specific questions about NYC.

[OCD or Perfection?]

This is hard to advise on without any names. If your choices are Harvard, Columbia and University of Miami; Harvard is the best pick in terms of slightly cheaper/better  housing than NYC. Harvard's name is also usually immune from fluctuations in the job market and gives you the best shot at getting sponsored for work visas post graduation.

 

This is a shot in the complete dark btw.

[fuzzylogician]

I would guess that a significant portion of the program involves internships/observations/on the job training. If so, then where you go to school might dictate what connections you make and where you can get a job. Similarly if there are different accreditation processes in the different states. If alternatively you want to go back home with your degree, then you need to find out if all of the schools you got into are accredited by your country and whether one of them has a better reputation or job placement than the others. Knowing none of answers to these questions and assuming that all three schools will award you a degree that you can get a job with, Miami will be significantly cheaper than the other two schools. Between Boston and NY, Boston is cheaper, but still very expensive. It's hard to give better advice than this since there is a lot of important information missing here.

[HKsai]

Hi! I applied to mental health counseling programs too. You are able to get your CCMHC no matter where you finish your degree even the program isn't CACREP accredited (only two schools are CACREP accredited but neither of them are in NYC). So it all comes down to your preference for the school and the money. I don't know if you are talking about the NYU mental health counseling program. I talked to the professors and they said it is EXTREMELY hard to find jobs in NYC. It doesn't really matter if you did build up your connection, you are not guaratee a job in NYC just because you "made" connection throughout your program. She said it's way easier to get a degree and go to places that have more opportunities than NYC. Especially the two years after the program and before you get your license while you are building up your clinical hours. I'm only considering NYU because they are giving me 40% tution scholarship that covers the expensive living expenses. If you want more information you can PM me.

[TheGirlWhoLived]

As far as preference of cities goes, I would choose Boston or NYC. I loved when I visited Boston because it is a major city, but you can walk around the whole city in a short period of time. I'm from Florida, and I personally would not want to live in Miami. I think everyone in Florida basically thinks of Miami as it's own country. I would say it would help if you speak Spanish too (not that you couldn't get by without it). Then again, I'm sure there are people who would kill to live there.

[moonchild1093]

I live in Miami, and have travelled extensively in Boston and NYC, and I would say they're all great places to live. They all have their own cultural richness! I'm sure this doesn't help at all, though. lol. 

[ldspsych]

Thanks to everyone! I'm still very confused... The three schools are good schools, not Harvard or anything but pretty good. I think that I should go and visit and make a decision based on that and money... Keep the comments coming!!!

[HKsai]

Have you talked to the faculties? I've heard good things about the BU mental health program but not so much for the boston college program. The BU program is housed within the medical school so that's an extra plus. Tbh the two boston college applicants that I know got admitted were really weak compared to the other applicants I've met in other interviews. If money isn't a problem, you should look at the class size, how many people are in the program. Diversity is extremely important for counseling programs. When I attended the nyu student welcoming events, the diversity is awesome but the program is so huge (55+). It affects internship placement and other stuff. Its good to talk to the faculties and visit for sure! (Idk which schools you were talking about but I'm just talking about the ones I have experience with). It all comes down to personal preference and which aspect of the program is more important to you. Good luck!!