Dear Blossom,
Choosing a school is a question that every graduate school applicant
is facing. There are many elements, some mentioned before - either by
the commentators or by yourself - and some not mentioned, that should
impact your final decision. I think that ranking and employability,
whom you mentioned, don't make such a difference at the end:
Ranking
=======
Ranking is based in several elements, not all migh be important to
you. For example, you have to decide, whether the level of research of
the faculty, or the number of their cited publications, is important
to you or not. If you're planning on continuing later in life to a PhD
programme, this might be very important. If you're more interested in
having an MSW and finding a work as a social worker, you might want to
look more carefully on how teaching is rated, and not the institution
in general.
Regarding the Gourman Report ranking MSW programmes, there is also
criticism on its methodology (or lack of transparency in that regard):
Caveat Emptor: The Gourman Report
<http://siop.org/tip/backissues/TIPJan02/07bedeian.htm>
Funding Opportunities
=====================
A very important aspect in choosing a grad school. Where do you have
more opportunities to get a job in the department? Where would you get
full (or more) funding for the programme?
If both answers, for both questions, are negative, this means that
you'll have to fund yourself somehow throughout the programme. Then,
questions might be:
- What programme is more flexible, in case you have to work? What
programme is more convinient for students with other obligations
(work/baby/etc.).
- In which of the two cities you are more likely to find a job?
- Where wuld you (if you want to) get affordable dorms? How is the
rent in both areas? (murder, I am telling you in advance).
Employability
=============
Is also an important question. It is true, that peceived ranking might
impact employability, but in case of two schools that are highly
ranked, I am not sure that it is that important. What might be
important is the type of jobs you see yourself doing in the future,
and the type of preferred subjects taken for these jobs. You said you
are attracted to the law programme in Columbia, and to the
international one in BU. Ask yourself - why are you attracted to thsoe
programmes?
- Is it because you want to combine legal knowledge with your future work?
- Is it because you want to work in a multi-cultural environment,
maybe in an international organisation?
- Is it because you think it would look good on your CV?
Cultural and Social Considerations
==================================
Boston and New York are of course not similar, but both provide
general cultural and social opportunities. However, there are again,
questions you must ask yourself:
- Where are people that you know? That could help you get along?
- Where is the programme more socially integrated (in the sense that
there is some thought also on the social lives of the students)?
- Which city, in your opinion, attracts you more to live in it -
weather, society, and culture considered?
Other Considerations
====================
- Where is the faculty more approachable? Concentrated only on helping you?
It is finally up to you to answer these questions. I just hope that my
questions helped you to focus yourself on what you need, and therefore
to decide. You are asking people to put themselves in your place, but
the considerations should not be only those of employability and
ranking, some of them are highly personal, and therefore only you
could answer your own question. Here are several points from a
business school advisor:
Be your own best F.A.N.
by Dayton Hughes
<http://www.amt-group.com/gsp-0499-fan.html>.
I hope this answered your question. Please contact me if you need any
clarification on this answer before you rate it. |
