UPDATED!! Got into Queens too - I need help please!! (Education field related)
eogara
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UPDATED!! Got into Queens too - I need help please!! (Education field related)
I'm going to school in September to get my masters in educational counseling. I applied to Fordham, Hofstra and Queens. Heard from and got into Fordham and Hofstra, still waiting on Queens (surprise, surprise). Anyway, Fordham was really more of a backup - this question is about Hofstra v. Queens. Obviously Queens is cheaper (over the program it works out to a total of about $8500 less) and since I live in Forest Hills, definitely more convenient to get to. However, Hofstra's program is only 2 years (plus 2 interim courses) whereas Queens is 3 years. But I know all this...my real question is - Do you think that Hofstra would be that much better received by the LI districts than Queens? This is a really tough decision (although since I haven't heard from Queens and they only accept 20% of their applicants, this may be a moot point) and I'd love your input.
Thanks!
Vicky1706
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Re: Repost from NWR Board - I need help please!! (Education field related)
Well, I went to Hofstra for my undergrad and Fordham for my grad...I don't know much about Queens but I know that whenever I do mention those two schools to people they seem impressed...to me it was just college! I know that Hofstra has been making improvements over the years and (rumor had it) that they were trying to obtain ivy league status...they have been adding programs and buildings such as a new arena (prereq's to be ivy league). What that means for you in terms of looking better on your resume in the future ( if it truly happens) I don't know but it may boost it...but thats up to you. My only advice would be to be careful if you decide to go to Fordham. I had a not so great experience. Fm me if you would like to know. Good luck!
groovypeg
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Re: Repost from NWR Board - I need help please!! (Education field related)
Quite honestly, Queens is a very good school. It has been refered to as 'the poor man's Harvard'. I am going to be applying to Queens after I get married for the learning process PhD program. Hofstra is also reputable, but I think for the $$$ difference, I am sure Queens is fine!
mrswask
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Re: Repost from NWR Board - I need help please!! (Education field related)
I will give you an opinion as someone who works at Hofstra and got my Master's in School Counseling. I would go to Queens College. To spend the amount of money that Hofstra charges is crazy - in my opinion - esp when you are planning a wedding. If you are planning on getting a Master's in School Counseling - I would think twice - it's an impossible field to get a job in - I have been looking for a year and a half for a perm job and have A LOT of experience on the college level. There are quite a few ladies on this site who got their degrees in that and have now gone to other fields because it is impossible to get a job in this field!!! You can FM me if you want more info. I am not trying to burst your bubble - but want to give you a realistic view.
J&S
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Re: Repost from NWR Board - I need help please!! (Education field related)
IMO your experience, ability, personality, grades, connections etc. have more of an influence on getting a job than the name of the college you went to. And since they are both good schools I'd save the money if I were you. I'm so mad at myself for not going to a cheaper school because I still don't have a teaching job.
teacherwheart
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Re: Repost from NWR Board - I need help please!! (Education field related)
I went to Queens for my undergrad in education and Hofstra for my grad. degree. My reasoning was that I would rather be poor and have my sanity and be happy then have money and go insane and be miserable. I did not like QC at all. It was horrible! Some friends stayed there for their graduate program and they are having a hard time getting the classess they want and getting info about certfication and stuff. Hofstra however was very expensive but excellent. Basically i feel you get what you pay for. In defense of QC they do have an immepcable record, how I do not know becasue I got nothing out of the program. I thought the professors at Hofstra were wonderful so much so that I joined a research group after graduating with 2 of the professors I had. Anyway, sorry I wrote a lot, hope I helped. Good luck!
shellee
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Re: Repost from NWR Board - I need help please!! (Education field related)
I am getting my Ph.D. at Hofstra now, though not in an education program. The cost sucks, but I really love it there. I've been in teh new education building and it's really beautiful. That's really the only input I have. Sorry I can't help you more.
eogara
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Re: UPDATED!! Got into Queens too - I need help please!! (Education field related)
I just heard and stupid Queens let me in too!! I was really hoping they wouldn't just so I wouldn't have a decision to make. Help PLEASE!!!!!! It seems like you guys are split. Really, it's the perception of the LI districts that I'm concerned with, not the money factor, etc (that's something I'll have to worry about on my own).
nbird
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Re: UPDATED!! Got into Queens too - I need help please!! (Education field related)
I went to St. Joseph's College in Bkyn for undergrad and loved it, Small school well respected in education etc.
Now I am going to Queens College for my masters in as a literacy specialist. I hate it there. No onw has any answers and if you are the type to expect advisors, professors etc to give you CORRECT info. without double checking, don't go there. Eveything they tell us about certs. graduation and # of credits needed to grad. are all wrong. I need to double check everything.
On the flip side of things, Queens is very respected in the education field and is super cheap in comparison to other programs. I stayed there for only that reason. Why pay more for a degree that will get you the same raise that someone in Adelphi or Hofstra does?
Just be prepared to research everything on your own about certs., credits etc.
Good luck!!
beachgirl13
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Re: UPDATED!! Got into Queens too - I need help please!! (Education field related)
I'm currently getting my masters in education at Queens College. It's a good school and I haven't had any problems. I just filed for certification through the school without any difficulties. I've also gotten all the classes I've wanted, too. I'm sure there are a lot of benefits to going to private school, but for me I couldn't even afford it, so I didn't even apply. I also went to a state school for my undergrad, so I really can't compare it to a private education. Also, there are plenty of people in my classes that work in LI districts. Good luck wherever you choose!
dandj
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Re: UPDATED!! Got into Queens too - I need help please!! (Education field related)
I got my masters in school psychology from Queens College... in my experience certain districts lean towards Queens others towards other schools. But Queens has a good reputation. It really depends on where people who work in the district went. I really don't think Queens will hinder you from getting a job.
eogara
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Re: UPDATED!! Got into Queens too - I need help please!! (Education field related)
Thank you guys so much for your help. There's so much to consider and I know that I'm a private school snob since I went to a private Catholic college for undergrad so they bent over backwards all the time to help us since we (literally) were their life. But the money and proximity of Queens just makes it so darn desirable. It's good to hear from some of you who are going or have gone there for grad school. The program is pretty small (they let in 35 people this year - 18 part time, which is what I'd be in and 17 full time) so hopefully that would help the some of the issues of anonymity that public institutions seem to have. If anyone has any other info to offer, I'd love to hear it.
Thanks again!!!
cluelessbride
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Re: UPDATED!! Got into Queens too - I need help please!! (Education field related)
Honestly, I think I said this before, but from my perspective (higher ed administration) there is no competition here - Queens is a very repsectable place and Hofstra is ok for a local school, but not on par with Queens.
chicagogal
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Re: UPDATED!! Got into Queens too - I need help please!! (Education field related)
I think Queens does have a very respectable reputation but there are a lot of other issues to deal with in an over rowded public school. My sister is doing her masters in Ed tehre now an really likes it. (She switched from St. Johns) But more than ever its all about who you know when you're looking for a job.
nov04LIbride
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Re: UPDATED!! Got into Queens too - I need help please!! (Education field related)
Posted by Uloveit22
I know that Hofstra has been making improvements over the years and (rumor had it) that they were trying to obtain ivy league status...they have been adding programs and buildings such as a new arena (prereq's to be ivy league).
Hmm... Have to say that isn't true with Hofstra trying to become an ivy league school...The ivy league has not added any colleges since 1945, and has no intentions of adding any soon. Hofstra is no where near meeting the qualifications anyway--no ivy can offer any athletic or academic scholarship. A fine school by any means, but ivy it will never be. The other qualifications: all ivy league schools rank well within the top 1% of the world's universities in terms of financial endowment, attract the top tier students and faculty, and are old and revered--the youngest was founded in 1865. Whenever Ivy Plus is mentioned, it refers to the 8 ivies plus MIT and Stanford.
Anyway, I would go with Queens.
Edit: Unless you were offered a scholarship to Hofstra--when I applied to law schools they offered me a full scholarship plus stipend, which made them more appealing...
pschica
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Re: UPDATED!! Got into Queens too - I need help please!! (Education field related)
i go to hofstra now for my masters in ed....but only b./c dh works there so i don't have to pay $$$$! the only thing to consider is something a few friends of mne who went to queens foudn idfficult...often, you can geta job based on where you student taught if you are thinking of being a teacher.....so in that case, getting into a li school is easier if you student taught or made connections on li.....just something to think about .....but personally, my 1st master was at a cuny school and it was wonderful - and much cheaper!!!
1017Bride
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Re: UPDATED!! Got into Queens too - I need help please!! (Education field related)
I am one of the other posters who went for my Masters in school counseling like Mrs. Wask. I also had a lot of difficulty finding a job (couldn't find one after two years) and went to get a different masters, which incidently I am taking at Queens (Library Science). I am not going to tell you not to go for the Masters in School Counseling but just to warn you about the challenge of finding a job in the field. Also if you want some more information you can FM me too. If you are set on the Masters in Counseling, I would say go to Queens so at least you don't have to spend as much money and do more research before you decide to pursue the Masters.
2bewedin04
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Re: UPDATED!! Got into Queens too - I need help please!! (Education field related)
We should talk. I am trying to make the same decision, and I also live in Forest Hills. I'm going to FM you.
BridezillasBFF
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Re: UPDATED!! Got into Queens too - I need help please!! (Education field related)
I did both my undergraduate degree and my masters at Hofstra, and even though it was $$$, it was worth it. The educational masters program I was in was excellent, and the professors were both accessible and inspiring. I knew someone who went to Queens and wasn't particularly happy with the program. As far as getting a job on Long Island, I'm not sure that either school would be considered more reputable than the other. A solid resume and good personality are the keys. I guess you could base your decision on what is more important to you: the amount that you spend, or the expectation you have for the program... HTH
