Hi there,
This is a decision between masters programs, but I hoped someone could help me with my decision.
I was recently accepted at Illinois State for their Clinical Counseling Psychology program, with a GA that covers tuition and provides a small stipend. It's a two year program that requires a thesis, and provides a method for licensure should I desire it. However, my interests are more with research and I plan on going on to get my doctorate.
I also received an acceptance from the Teachers College at Columbia. I know a lot of people bash the program, but the prospect of working with Dr. Bonanno was too good to pass up. I also received a 18,000 scholarship and a work study that will cover tuition for the first year. I will also apply for administrative fellow positions that take additional price off the tuition. As for the second year, I have to assume that little funding will come and that I would have to take out loans and apply for external scholarships.
I emailed Dr. Bonanno yesterday and he responded the next day, which I was surprised to see. He said that he has a lot of masters students in his lab, doing various tasks. He also allows masters students to access the data he has collected to do their own projects if they desire it. He couldn't offer any guarantees, but he couldn't see why I couldn't be a part of his lab in the coming fall. It was a really nice email, and he offered to show me his lab should I visit the campus.
So, what do I do? Do I take the chance to go to New York with a great professor, but go into debt my second year? Or do I take the offer from Illinois State, that requires a thesis, the cohort is much smaller, and has one or two professors that I could see myself working with? The living situation couldn't be more different, as well. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for any and all advice.