After Acceptance-Choosing a School

Graduate School
1

<p>I was recently accepted into two Master's programs in Pennsylvania. One at Chesnut Hill College (CHC- M.A. In Clinical and Counseling Psychology- Child and Adolescent), and one at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania (KU- M.A. in Counseling- Child & Adolescent). </p>

<p>While they are both smaller campuses, I am having a hard time choosing which school to attend. </p>

<p>CHC has everything I'm looking for academically (a counseling and clinical based program), but has very limited opportunities for graduate assistantships. I also did not feel very comfortable on campus during my interview, but it is located on the edge of Philadelphia, which is loaded with employment and internship opportunities. </p>

<p>KU is a more counseling based program (still a great program), but is a more rural setting with fewer housing/job/internship opportunities. However, there are a number of assistantships available and I felt comfortable with both the campus and the faculty that I would be working with. </p>

<p>Aside from the programs, I am unaware of any reputation the schools may have. </p>

<p>In conclusion, CHC has what I'm looking for academically, KU has everything else. Both programs would enable me to sit for my LPC exam, and have a history of preparing students for doctorate programs.</p>

<p>Should I allow funding and the feel of the school outweigh the preferred academic program?</p>

<p>Any information on either of the schools would be greatly appreciated, as well as any advice. I'm at a standstill here. :(</p>

2

<p>Funding might be something to consider more so than the feel. Its for a masters program so I imagine you wont be there for more than two years, so even if you hate the campus, so long as you don’t feel it would affect your academic performance it shouldn’t matter too much.</p>

<p>I dont know much about these programs, but based on what you have said.</p>

<p>CHC sounds good but if you don’t get an assistantship would you need to pay out of pocket? What would be your cost of attendance. Also would you be doing a lot of research as a part of the masters? And is your ultimate goal a PhD program? If so, how much do the internship/employment opportunities matter to you?</p>

3

<p>Are you competitive for any of the assistantships at Kutztown? And what is the pay - is it tuition remission + a stipend? As long as it suits your needs, personally I would say follow the money - but mostly only if it’s guaranteed or near-guaranteed money.</p>

<p>When you say you didn’t feel comfortable at CHC, why was that? Did you feel unsafe in the city environment or did the professors and students make you uncomfortable? If it was the latter, run.</p>

<p>Personally it seems like KU will be a better fit for you - even if you are interested in clinical, you can find ways to get that experience post-MA and especially if you are planning a PhD in clinical psychology, you’ll get it later.</p>