Miami (OH) or UC for grad school? (Dayton, Oxford: schools, college) - Cincinnati - Ohio - City-Data Forum

high mileage · 01-08-2010, 07:59 PM

I'm having a hard time deciding which school I want to attend for my graduate studies. Yeah, I know, ultimately it's my choice, but I want to hear which school you guys would choose and why.

I keep going back and forth between which school I want to attend. While Miami is a better school and would look better on my resume, I live roughly seven minutes away from UC and would probably need to move closer to Oxford if attending MU. Also, I'm not too fond of Oxford since there's basically nothing there, but the campus of MU is amazing.

Also, Miami seems to have more focused students (which I like to be around) but then I also like the social scene of UC and plus UC is not way out in the "boonies" like Miami........Hmmmm. Idk

Daytonnatian · 01-08-2010, 09:14 PM

What's your major?

For law, art/architecture, or engineering, UC is best.

For Arts and Sciences or Business, Miami is the way to go.

high mileage · 01-08-2010, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daytonnatian

What's your major?

Psychology

Daytonnatian · 01-09-2010, 06:56 AM

^I'd go Miami then. Better rep for sure.

A great place to double-check, though, is this site:

Graduate School - College Confidential

rrtechno · 01-09-2010, 08:00 AM

I think before you make any decision, you need to decide what your purpose for getting your degree is. You talked about which one would look better on your resume and stated that Miami probably would, but you also said you liked the social scene at UC better.

Years ago I had to decide about my master's degree. With a young family to support while I worked on my degree, I really didn't want to move them. The only problem was, all the masters programs (and there were good ones) in the area were in administration or counseling. I wasn't interested in either one of those areas, so I never got my masters. I decided if I was going to put that much time, effort, and money into something, I wanted more than just a piece of paper to use when I was done. True, I could have made more money when I was done, but I would have been miserable while I was going and probably would never have finished anyway.

My advice, decide what you really want from your degree and make your decision based on that.

Wilson513 · 01-09-2010, 09:08 AM

Your question is like which do you like better: apple pie or chili cheese fries. If you want to be an engineer or a performer or a physician, you would pick UC. If you want to be an economist for a Fortune 100 company, you'll go to Miami. Make up your mind what you want to accomplish first, choose school second.

kjbrill · 01-09-2010, 11:36 AM

I definitely like the advice of the last two respondents. In my case, I was an Engineer - UC no doubt. Never went beyond the undergrad. While an Engineering Grad (Mechanical), I was fortunate to get into Computer Systems. Spent over 40 years writing computer programs - loved it. Never a day I didn't want to get up and go to work. Back in the early 60s IBM was the king of the hill in computers, and their training courses the equivalent or more of a Masters.

I will concur with pick where your passion lies. I was one of the lucky ones - it just fell into my lap. Not too often this happens. Good luck to you and your decisions.

stasia · 01-12-2010, 06:58 PM

I'm a current grad student at Miami, and my neighbor is currently a PhD candidate in Miami's psychology department (already earned his psych Masters at Miami). I really don't know anything about UC and so can't comment, but ...

A huge benefit of grad studies at Miami is available financial packages. If you're awarded an assistantship, Miami covers in- and out-of-state tuition, and also supplies a stipend (stipend amount prob varies by department). The other 2 schools I looked at only covered in-state tuition, and the stipend was almost negligible. So, it's as if I'm being paid to pursue my Masters.

It's true that Oxford is an undergraduate's town, so my friends and I generally go into the city for nights out on the weekend. But the Miami trail system is completely awesome for hikes. Besides, as a grad student, I don't exactly have a ton of extra social time on the weeknights.

Wilson513 · 01-12-2010, 07:19 PM

Neither Miami nor UC would be a good choice for Psychology PhD programs. That's the point. A relative got his PhD in Psychology from U of Pittsburgh (which is about 50 schools above both Miami and UC) and had an impossible time getting a good clinical placement. So a PhD from either school is a 2nd class credential. Hard as it is to get through a Psy PhD program, it would be a shame to waste one's time at Miami.

And, most schools offer teaching positions for grad students particularly in PhD programs. Just for the record, here's the list for Psychology programs:

NRC Ranking of U.S. Psychology Ph.D. Programs

Cincybear · 03-09-2010, 10:59 AM

Choosing school by ranking is, sorry, simply silly. It is like picking your spouse by browsing the internet dating service. There is too much information and misinformation around and you have to do much deeper research and a real feel. Unfortunately, it takes time. Having said that, employers are as time-stingy as students. They shop from the ranking list downward. So, if you can get in a better ranked program, it is a safer bet. Unless you have very affluent parents, go to a school that can help you land on a better paid job. It is reality. So, ditch UC and Miami, go to OSU for psychology.