Tough Choice (Ohio State vs UAlbany)

Applying to College
1

<p>So far I’ve heard back from two of the three colleges I’ve applied to and both accepted me, which is great. But I’m really having a tough time even beginning to make a decision. A choice which so many high school seniors feel, and I’m hoping I can get some help. </p>

<p>I was accepted, as I mentioned, to both The Ohio State University (Columbus) and The State University of New York at Albany. Both are good schools for different reasons, and both have their faults. I’m not a super-intelligent person (like many here are), but I like to consider myself at least slightly above average in school. I thought because of my so-so grades (compared to my friends) that the hardest part of the college process would be getting accepted, but I was wrong. The decision is definitely harder, and I haven’t even heard back from the third school.</p>

<p>Here’s why I’m torn:</p>

<p>Albany is an affordable public school not far (few hours) from where I live. The school is large for a SUNY school, but still a manageable 18,000. I have a few friends who go there now, and they love it. Compared to Ohio State, Albany’s Political Science program isn’t nearly as good, though still reputable. </p>

<p>Ohio State is a more expensive (relative to the in-state costs of UAlbany) public school 8 hours away from my house. The school is the largest in the nation with over 50,000 people. The school, because of it’s size, is much more impersonal. However, Ohio State’s Political Science program is very well respected. And, obviously, the school spirit is through the roof.</p>

<p>I really want to get a good education, and want to end up going to a graduate school like George Washington or American to get a masters in polisci or public policy. The reputation of Ohio State’s polisci program seems like it would help me get into one of those schools. But, my family is having financial difficulties right now and really wont be able to help me pay for school, though we’re just out of the range of good financial aide. I haven’t talked to either schools admissions offices yet to discuss financial aide, so I guess that could change. In the end, I’ll probably end up with a lot of student loans. The end difference is around $80,000, which is a lot of money.</p>

<p>There’s a lot more tearing at me, but those are the main things. I’m discussing my options with my family and my teachers, but I want some other opinions too. </p>

<p>Summary:
Affordable, SUNY, smaller, less-reputable, close school
vs
Expensive, popular, huge, well-known, distant school</p>

<p>Thanks for the help :D</p>

2

<p>To me, it sounds like UAlbany is the best, and possibly only option. I mean, the only argument you offered in favor of Ohio State is the prestiege of the PolSci program. You obviously are going to have to wait for financial packages, but the way you presented it, getting that “more reputable” education from Ohio State would come with a ridiculous price tag, at which point a grad degree at GW or American will look even less possible.</p>

<p>Still, Ohio State is a great school. Right now, you should be leaning towards UAlbany, but a great financial package from Ohio could change things up.</p>

3

<p>If you do still intend to go to Grad school then stay at Albany.</p>

4

<p>Save the money and go to SUNY Albany. Your grad school opportunities depend more on a high undergrad GPA, professor recommendations, research and publications, and GRE test results than the name of your undergrad school.</p>

5

<p>

</p>

<p>While I’d agree with the first part as minimizing undergrad debt is very important, the second sentence is a bit off IME.</p>

<p>Your undergrad school’s name does matter for academic and public policy grad programs from what I’ve heard from several friends and Profs who were on admissions committees for such programs. </p>

<p>However, considering the grad programs and schools you are targeting, this factor can be substantially mitigated if you are proactive in getting the professors to know you and your academic work well enough so they are able to write strong LORs, excelling academically at Albany, do well on the GRE, and join ECs/do internships which have a public policy focus. </p>

<p>Research/publications are helpful and always a plus, but not necessary…especially for a masters in poli-sci/public policy. They are, however, critical if you are thinking of applying to elite poli-sci PhD programs. </p>

<p>Out of curiosity, what do you want to do with a masters in poli-sci? </p>

<p>Most people who take a stand-alone masters in poli-sci IME are those who are trying to improve their academic/research credentials for applying to poli-sci PhD programs. If you’re interested in doing policy work, a Masters in public policy seems like a better bet from what I know of friends who are working in those areas in government and NGOs.</p>

6

<p>Go to Albany. Being an extra $80K in debt for Ohio State makes no sense. oOS publics rarely give much aid to OOS students, so unless your grades warrant big merit aid, go to Albany.</p>

<p>What’s the third school?</p>

7

<p>

</p>

<p>To be honest, I still haven’t decided. There are two possible routes I’m considering. The first would be to get a Masters in political science and become a teacher, and the other would be to get a Masters in public policy and work in government. I’m a bit torn if I’d like to spend my life in a field as unpredictable as politics, but it’s what I love, so I’ll probably end up going with the latter. I’ve had the fortune to meet with a White House official who graduated from my high school, went to the University of Rochester for her undergraduate degree, and received her Masters from George Washington. So that serves as an inspiration and a guide for me.</p>

<p>The third school is Binghamton University. I live in Binghamton and it’s a good school, though UAlbany has a much better political science program. I applied there just to apply. </p>

<p>Thanks for all of your opinions. I’d still like to hear more, and I’d love to answer any questions.</p>

8

<p>^^</p>

<p>If you want to teach at the college/university level, a Masters is the extreme bare minimum. Considering the glut of poli-sci PhD holders in the academic marketplace from what I heard from poli-sci PhD graduates from elite/Ivy institutions, you really need a PhD to be competitive to teach at most college-level institutions, including community colleges. Also, if you’re going this route, you should pick up at least one foreign language depending on your research topic. </p>

<p>If you’re thinking of K-12, you may want to check with the school district/private schools whether they’d accept someone with a poli-sci masters. You may also need to pick up an M.ED at an Ed school to be certified to teach full-time in some states…including NY. I recalled reading how a Harvard graduate who had serious issues trying to teach in the NYC public school system even after getting an educational Masters(Mandatory for full-time teachers in NY state public schools) because her undergrad degree was East Asian Studies rather than a more “traditional field” like English, history, etc. Something to think about. </p>

<p>If you’re interested in working in government policy groups or NGOs, the Masters in public policy sounds like a better bet.</p>

9

<p>I’m grew up in Ohio and my sister actually just finished her PhD at Ohio State. It’s just too dang huge in my opinion. </p>

<p>Did you know that GW actually allows people to take several classes in a program before being admitted? :). Now I live in DC and that’s how my sister-in-law got into a grad program at GW. Just something to keep for a back up plan. </p>

<p>Work hard at Albany and make it happen!</p>

10

<p>Some students in Masters programs in Poli Sci and in Public Policy do receive tuition help from the agencies where they work, but most have to pay for their studies themselves. That means two years of grad school debt on top of any debt you have from your undergrad education. </p>

<p>You are smart to be considering affordability. Right now Albany is your best choice.</p>

11

<p>I don’t know if quality of life and general college experience is important to you but I have heard from friends who have had children attend Albany that the quality of life and general college experience is not very good. I can’t comment on those aspects for Ohio State but I assume they have great school spirit.</p>

12

<p>I have friends who attend UAlbany and they say it’s great. They’re in Honors College, which may give a different experience. Ohio State seems like it would definitely have the full college experience, though almost too much, and I don’t want to get caught up in the experience. </p>

<p>I think it will really come down to financial aid, which I haven’t discussed with either university. If I can get a good package from UAlbany that brings the cost down half, that’d probably be the swing vote. Being close-but-not-to-close to home seems good, too. </p>

<p>Thanks for all your help. I’d love to hear some more opinions, but you’ve all been more than helpful.</p>

13

<p>I don’t think that Ohio State is worth the difference in cost. $80,000 is a lot of debt. A lot of students end up changing majors, so I don’t think the difference in departments is worth it.
It’s also tough to be an out-of-state student at such a large school. It’s sounds like you really like Albany. Good luck.</p>

14

<p>Prestige is not that important at this stage. The following is a list of the 261 undergraduate institutions represented by all students enrolled in the JD program at Harvard Law School for the 2010-2011 school year. Notice Albany is in there…so is Ohio State! </p>

<p><a href=“http://www.law.harvard.edu/prospective/jd/apply/undergrads.html[/url]”>http://www.law.harvard.edu/prospective/jd/apply/undergrads.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Unless Ohio State wants to give you a financial aid package that would reduce the cost to SUNY prices, you just can’t afford it. To borrow the extra money would be bad choice. Just because you can borrow the money, doesn’t mean you should.</p>

<p>Albany can get you where you need to go…the rest is up to you.</p>

15

<p>That’s interesting to see. I have to say, I’ve really been swayed by all of your posts. I’m definitely leaning toward Albany, considering their public policy program. I’ve actually switched my mind from polisci to pubpol because of you guys (and gals). It’s a very subtle change, but public policy seems to fit my liking better.</p>

<p>Thank you all so much.</p>

16

<p>Both schools are in state capitals and there should be lots of opportunities to get involved in state government. </p>

<p>Save your money, go to Albany, intern at the State House. Then move on to grad school in Washington. </p>

<p>It’s kind of like the trajectory of most politicians!</p>