Master in New School for Social Research or Seton Hall University?

[wzhenlan]

Hello, everyone!

I am enrolling in the 2014 Fall semester and I I've received offers from

1. NSSR the 2 years' MA program in general psychology with 25% tuition waive

2. Seton Hall's MS in Experimental psychology with a 50% tuition waive

At the funding level, Seton Hall is more affordable. But I am trying to make a right choice for my career.

Someone may know that if you get a master in new school, you need only 3 years to purchase a PHD, which is my final aim. At the same time, according to the website, the outcomes of students graduating from Seton Hall is not bad for purchasing a PHD in other grad schools(no PHD program offered in Seton Hall), although they may have to take more time to finish it.

Another point is that, I do share a lot of research interest with faculty in NSSR (social, developmental and cultural areas) and one of them has agreed to put me in her lab even in the first year of MA. While from Seton Hall only one faculty shared interest with me and she doesn't do research in that area now.

However, it seems that standing in shadows of NYU and Columbia, the New School's reputation is more critical and it's not a "mainstream" university. While Seton Hall somehow seems to be more traditional and serious.

I am an international student and have never been in the US befire, so it is vague for me to judge. Is there anyone familiar with these programs? Any suggestions for me?

[clinicalpsychphd20]

I am not super familiar with Seton Hall, but I heard not so great things about New School. Since you are not from the US it's probably not an option for  you to get a job at an RC, so it seems that a master's is the only way to go for you to be able to apply to Psychology.

 

If you end up preferring New School, I would try to get them to match the Seton Hall offer. These things can sometimes be negotiable. 

[wzhenlan]

I am not super familiar with Seton Hall, but I heard not so great things about New School. Since you are not from the US it's probably not an option for  you to get a job at an RC, so it seems that a master's is the only way to go for you to be able to apply to Psychology.

 

If you end up preferring New School, I would try to get them to match the Seton Hall offer. These things can sometimes be negotiable.

Clinicalpsychphd20, thank you for your reply.

Well, actually I don't quite understand you about "try to get the New school to match the Seton Hall offer", I contacted the financial aid, but they would only offer me the condition as it is.

And what is an RC? Yes I do try to apply to Phd in psychology after master's degree, and what's the problem?

[clinicalpsychphd20]

Clinicalpsychphd20, thank you for your reply.

Well, actually I don't quite understand you about "try to get the New school to match the Seton Hall offer", I contacted the financial aid, but they would only offer me the condition as it is.

And what is an RC? Yes I do try to apply to Phd in psychology after master's degree, and what's the problem?

A research coordinator is a job that will make you competitive for PhD programs, just like a Masters will. The plus side of it is that you get pay instead of getting paid.

By matching I mean that sometimes you can tell a school that they are your first choice, but that you have this great financial offer at this other school, and ask if there's anything they can do about it? A lot of times, they will match the scholarships/etc.

[Applemiu]

When you write about "getting a Phd in three years", be careful that in the US it is not easy to transfer credits from a master to a phd program. If you get into the NSSR phd program then you can complete it into three years, but it is not going to be that easy with a different Phd program in the US. That said, if you think there is a better research fit at the NSSR and you can afford it go for it.

[clinicalpsychphd20]

When you write about "getting a Phd in three years", be careful that in the US it is not easy to transfer credits from a master to a phd program. If you get into the NSSR phd program then you can complete it into three years, but it is not going to be that easy with a different Phd program in the US. That said, if you think there is a better research fit at the NSSR and you can afford it go for it.

 

Yes, I forgot to mention that NSSR (unlike many other PhD programs in the states) is not fully funded. I don't think that it is financially responsible to take loans into the six figures given the earning potential of Psychology. 

[wzhenlan]

A research coordinator is a job that will make you competitive for PhD programs, just like a Masters will. The plus side of it is that you get pay instead of getting paid.

By matching I mean that sometimes you can tell a school that they are your first choice, but that you have this great financial offer at this other school, and ask if there's anything they can do about it? A lot of times, they will match the scholarships/etc.

Why a research coordinator as a job "get pay instead of getting paid?"

[clinicalpsychphd20]

Why a research coordinator as a job "get pay instead of getting paid?"

 Sorry! I meant get paid instead of paying  

[wzhenlan]

When you write about "getting a Phd in three years", be careful that in the US it is not easy to transfer credits from a master to a phd program. If you get into the NSSR phd program then you can complete it into three years, but it is not going to be that easy with a different Phd program in the US. That said, if you think there is a better research fit at the NSSR and you can afford it go for it.

Thanks for your answer.

Well, I just learned that in the NSSR it's actually lik that: you have to "earn" a chance to write a thesis and there's an intensive competition to the PHD's program. I would say that it's really challenging.

While in Seton Hall there is a prof who shares the interest with me and they have less students.

Deadline is this Friday.....((((((( Feel pressure.