Following your heart or your head?

[LAKingsMaverick]

Hey Guys! So I got accepted into Tulane's School of Social Work. It was my number 1 school and I was dead set on going there. I love the city of New Orleans, I love the people there. But, it's expensive. 

 

I also got accepted into George Mason University's MSW program. I'm a Northern Virginia native, so I get in state tuition and I have the opportunity to live at home and have a graduate assistantship. 

 

So here's the predicament. I basically decided for undergrad to just follow my heart and leave the east coast for the midwest. I don't regret that decision one bit, even if the debt has piled up. But for grad school, especially in social work where the prestige of the university isn't as important as something like law school or med school, it just makes so much sense logically to go to George Mason. I know my financial package from Tulane won't compete with what Mason is going to offer. I'm 22 years old now and I just feel like following my heart and taking the leap to Tulane (15k a semester not including living expenses) would just put me into so much more debt. At Mason (8k a semester, living at home) I have the opportunity to get the Masters without sacrificing too much more debt. It's a tough choice so I'm just curious about people's opinions or if you've been in the same kind of situation before. I also have a chance at that graduate assistantship and know I have a well paying job if I got back to Virginia. Thanks for your input guys!

 

[bsharpe269]

I am doing my MS at the school near my parents so that I can live at home. I am SO happy that I went this route. I think that for an MSW that this could be even more important since you're not going into a very lucrative field. Also, both schools have very good reputations so I don't feel like you are comparing a super low ranked school to Harvard. I definitely recommend going with the cheaper option!

[iphi]

Head! Tough decision, but I figure the short-term happiness is not worth ong-term suffering (debt)! Good luck!

[ss2player]

Agree with everyone else, go to George Mason! It's never worth getting into 3X the debt unless the school has 3X the opportunities, which isn't true in this case. Plus, with the money you save you can visit Nawlins at your leisure!

[maelia8]

Follow the money - both programs are good, and it seems you'll be just as happy or happier at George Mason

[the_sheath]

Personally, I stay the hell away from home (well, I'm still within driving distance, sorta, but I don't intend on living at home). But that's just me. I also have like 27k debt, so there's that. I'd probably go where my wallet is hit the least, assuming I applied only to programs I would actually attend.

[rising_star]

I'd go with George Mason because you'll take on less debt and social work isn't a high-paying field.

[Sizzlinpri]

Wow, i am in this same situation but with different schools! This forum has helped me alot! 

Edited April 15, 2014 by Sizzlinpri

[LAKingsMaverick]

Yeah after thinking about it today, talking it over with the parents, and thinking some more, Mason just makes more sense. I decided I won't be living at home so it'll be a little pricier, but still way cheaper than Tulane's tuition and living expenses. As bummed as I am to reject Tulane, I know I made the right decision. I'm already over 70k in debt from undergrad so I might as well take as little debt as possible these next two years. 

 

I always have the option of moving down there after I get my masters! What's two more years in Virginia?! Thanks for your input guys!

[clinicalpsychphd20]

I would go to with George Mason. Avoid debt as much as you can! Plus,there are no guarantees that you will be THAT much happier at Tulane.