Cambridge University or COlumbia University ???

[1fabi]

Hello All,

I have a Bachelor's degree from St. John's University in NY in Psych.

Hello,

I applied for NYU, Teachers College and University of Cambridge in London. NYU denied me but thankfully, I got into COlumbia and Cambridge for an MA in Developmental Psyhchology and an MPhil in SOical and Developmental respectively. Both of the have offered me small funding.. However, Cambridge offered it a little later, so I had already made full preparations for Columbia. Apartment, Registered for classes, visited the campus, met with professors, made small down payment.

I know they are both great school, but which do I choose?

I have intentions of living either in the Caribbean (Trinidad) or in the US. Eventually I'd like to do some work in research, a little clinical maybe, academic work and advocacy for family issues.

I'm an American, so the work opportunities during grad school are better at Columbia, but am I giving up an amazing opportunity by saying no to Cambridge???

PLease offer some feedback. I really need the advice.

Thank You

[Teach914]

I've been at TC for a semester and it has been fabulous. It's a very cohesive environment, professors are very knowledgeable, and are eager to help. I definitely recommend it!

-KA

[tem11]

You already know what NY is like- I'd go to Cambridge and experience a new country! Cambridge is stunning and the academic environment is vastly different than in the US (I studied at Oxford, but both use the tutorial system). Also, you can work on a student visa in the UK so I don't see why work opportunities are necessarily better in NYC. Plus, if you can somehow manage to save while you work, the GBP to USD conversion will certainly be in your favor.

Just my two cents .

[highhopes]

Just so you know, Cambridge University is NOT in London - London is 40mins away by train. Cambridge is its own city, and it is absolutely beautiful! I did my undergrad there and loved every minute of it. I wrote a bit about the city on this forum thread: , in case you were interested in finding out a bit about the place. i can't really vouch for either program however, as I don't know much about it. I would recommend emailing some current grad students to hear their thoughts.

As for work opportunities during study at Cambridge...I don't know whether your student visa will let you work - it definitely depends...some international students are only allowed part-time, others aren't allowed to work at all.

[aditi123]

Just so you know, Cambridge University is NOT in London - London is 40mins away by train. Cambridge is its own city, and it is absolutely beautiful! I did my undergrad there and loved every minute of it. I wrote a bit about the city on this forum thread: , in case you were interested in finding out a bit about the place. i can't really vouch for either program however, as I don't know much about it. I would recommend emailing some current grad students to hear their thoughts.

As for work opportunities during study at Cambridge...I don't know whether your student visa will let you work - it definitely depends...some international students are only allowed part-time, others aren't allowed to work at all.

I studied MPhil in Cambridge.Now I've applied to Columbia.I wanted to work while I was at Cambridge.But the University strictly prevents students especially Post graduates from seeking employment whilst a student...

[someDay]

Your visa allows you 10hrs of work (*) during term-time and full-time during vacation. Cambridge however, strongly discourages this (I believe you can get permission somehow though).

Cambridge (uni regulations require you to live within 5 miles or so of the city's cathedral, so you can't live in London even if you could afford it and love commuting) is 1 hour by train to London.. but the courses are very demanding, so it's unlikely you'll have a lot of time to work or go sightseeing anyway.

(*): You should expect an hourly wage of approximately £8 - £10. Much less than you could make in NYC..

Also note that health insurance is provided free of charge in the UK. If you work, a small proportion will go to fund social services.

sD.