All the results have been released and I was only accepted to CJ phd program in Cincinnati (fully funded) and several master programs in sociology (not funded). I have been inquiring almost EVERYBODY I know. But still, I cannot make my decision. There are pros and cons for both options.
My background:
Bachelor in social science from a top-five university in my home country with interest in family sociology;
Master in sociology in the top sociology program in Europe and I chose criminology as my thesis topic BY CHANCE;
Not-bad test scores (v62%+quant97%+aw82%);
Not 100% sure that I want to study criminology for the rest of my life ...
Willing to do a PhD in the US but not reluctant to work there
Aim:
Teach/research in a top 50 university in sociology or top 10 in criminology
Or work as a data analyst or researcher etc.
Option 1: Cincinnati
Pros:
1. fully funded, cheap living expenses;
2. nice professors;
3. easier (?): no need to apply for another round;
4. great rank in criminology and criminal justice;
5. criminology is underdeveloped in my home country (more opportunities)
Cons:
1. The University is not so reputable in general (ranks worse than my bachelor and master universities) and I haven't heard anyone getting rejected by Cincinnati...
2. After checking almost all the profiles of phd graduates of criminal justice, I found them moving downwards in their career: no one to sociology department and almost no one to top criminology departments (UMD, SUNY Albany, UPenn). Most graduates are in universities that I have never heard of (ranking 300+?). However, graduates from those departments have much better placement... And i was astonished by this fact... Anyone has a clue why this is the case?
3. not 100% certain about a phd in criminology... and UofCincinnati does not have many other highly ranked programs...
Option 2: MAPSS in UChicago (one year, the best MA program so far in this cycle)
Pros:
1. Great reputation (for CV?);
2. Nice location (close to my girlfriend);
3. Rigorous training and more competition;
4. It will assist me well in applying for a phd position (sociology) in a top university;
5. Better placement after phd;
6. Can think more thoroughly if I wanna do a phd
7. Reputation again...
Cons:
1. Costly, with only one third of tuition waived (parental sponsorship);
2. Harsh both in terms of training and going through another round of phd application;
3. Need to gap for one year before I can apply again for a phd ... and I don't know if i can stay in the US during that time (NOT a STEM program, so three months to search for a job)
4. Better Phd position anticipated BUT not guaranteed ... Uncertainty
The thing is, I think I have nice background and most of my alumni from bachelor and master programs are accepted to better phd programs than me. My application along with tests were prepared within 3 months and I don't really have a certain idea about my future research topic (also reflected in my SOP). My writing sample was rudimentary (theory and hypotheses part of my master thesis). That said, I think I can get into a better phd program than this with more preparation.
But is it too risky to turn down Cincinnati and go for Chicago? Or is Cincinnati a sufficient place to achieve my career goals? I'm just too frustrated ...