Covid: Is an Online Ivy Degree Worth It?
Crazy times. I accepted an offer for the Columbia MSRED program with aid (turned down offers with aid from Harvard and USC) but that was some time ago. At this point, it looks likely that the program will be largely online, at full tuition. Classes start SOON.
How much of the value of an ivy league education is the credential/name and how much is the experience? How much will Covid and online classes affect either? Is Zoom University worth $96k for 3 semesters?
My current thinking is that I should suppress my indignation towards the unfortunate situation and just go. I won't get to have as many networking experiences but I still feel like I'll be able to get a good job coming out of school based on a great education and the Columbia name, and I'll be able get started in the industry at an interesting time, vs sticking around in the architecture world for a year and delaying the start of my real estate career.
What would you do? Bite the bullet and go? Wait it out a year? Bury your head in sand?
Are you able to postpone your admission for a year?
I'm not someone who really objects to online learning, and in a lot of ways I prefer it, but in going totally online you'll be missing out on so much formal and informal networking that I would be very hesitant to undervalue.
No deferment - I'd have to reapply, although that doesn't really concern me much.
It's looking pretty unlikely that it will be totally online. Most likely it will be hybrid at the start (that's the current plan) and hopefully it will slowly move back toward normalcy from there. But yes, there will be a loss of networking opportunities, especially the formal sort. Thus, the value judgement I have to make is whether an extra year of industry experience is worth the sacrificing the quality of these networking opportunities while in school. That assumes, though, that I'll be able to find a decent job when I graduate next August. Thoughts?
That's a good question but I don't think there is a good answer right now.
There are pros and cons to both scenarios. It depends what you value the most.
It's very hard to plan for the next year and a half without knowing what will happen with covid. In short we're all in a fucked situation
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