lexicana

I'm a little bit of a similar situation. I was accepted into a sociology program and into a social work PhD program. Everything about the social work PhD program is better (funding, potential research advisors, rank) but I struggled in making a decision because for years I had only considered sociology. The social work program is very interdisciplinary so I am able to take many sociolgy courses but I still wondered about my future career track. Like you I would like to teach but am mostly interested in research. If the teaching thing does not work out I can see myself doing many other things. I have officially chosen the social work program and feel pretty good about it although I still have some moments of doubt. Still, when I made a pro & con list the only pro for the sociology program was that it was sociology. The social work program far outweighted the soc program in every other category. I'm not sure how that helps you but I thought I would share my own experience.

I applied for the Ford predoctoral fellowship and am expecting that results will come out this week. The thing is I am starting to think it really doesn't matter if I am awarded the fellowship. I have been accepted to two insitutions and both of them have stated that if I got the fellowship the research assistantship would be given to another student. The problem with that, as I see it, is that research is a critical part of the PhD. Why would anyone want to pursue a research based PhD program and not want to be involved with research. So, if the assistanship is given to another student then I would either not be involved with reseach (just taking coursework) or be involved with research but not getting any funding (other than tuition) from the institution. Also, the Ford fellowship is only a couple thousand more than the stipend I would receive from the assistantship. So, why would I want the fellowship. It makes more sense to be on fellowship later on in the process when working on one's own research and dissertation but why does it make sense to be on fellowship the first couple of years? I get that there is a prestige factor but is that it? Am I missing something. Do any institutions let you keep the assistantship and the fellowship?

Their website states notifications will be sent out the 1st week of April. Last year, I heard from them on April 6th. It was an honorable mention. So, I wouldn't expect to hear from them for a couple more weeks. I guess it takes them some time to gather all the evaluations and make final determinations. I always wonder if they somehow check to see if those at the top got into the school they mentioned in their statement.

I got my letter today and it was a waitlist. Now that I have all my results I will be accepting an offer that was at the top of my list anyway. The waiting is finally over!

I'm so sorry guys. No letter for me yet but I did get a response to my email inquiry which stated that I should receive an update within the next couple of days. I'm trying not to speculate. At this point I think it could go either way. At least I will know soon.

Ahhhhh, I just want to know already! Thanks for sharing the info. I will let you know if I get a response to my inquiry. Good luck to you!

I sent an email inquiry out today because I couldn't wait any longer. I have not gotten a reply yet (it's been 1 hour). Why do you think that accepted individuals will get an email and why do you think you are out?

You and me both!

Has anybody heard anything from Loyola?

Hi tk20, I have always found the ford staff to be very nice and helpful. I think you have a legitimate question and should just call them and ask. Unlike email, when you call you don't have to tell them who you are. You can just say "I'm a predoctoral applicant and was wondering if I could update my CV due to a recent journal acceptance". They might say yes or not but either way it is unlikely that they will ask who you are. Call them!

I applied there and also don't have a Masters in sociology but do have a Masters in another discipline. I'm not sure if that makes a difference. From what I know about Loyola they accept a small number of students. I believe that last year they only accepted four students. So even though it is not a top ranked program it is competitive given the small number of spots available. Also I noticed that they only send out rejections/acceptances via snail mail. It looks like results are trickling in for other disciplines. My assumption is that we will know this week...eeeek!

I'm in the same situation. I was rejected for sociolgoy but offered MAPPS with half funding. I won't be taking it since I have a fully funded offer in another program at U of C. I have to say though I was glad to at least get into the MAPPS program this year. Last year I was rejected straight out.

Dizzid, I am most interested in doing research related to social work (and teaching eventually) rather than working directly with clients or even running programs or an organization. If I had to choose one, however, it would be macro. If I could not find a teaching position I would look at more macro level types of jobs.

Sbboe, as you stated I like sociology because it seems broader and as you put it more portable, however, my main interest is doing research that helps people. So, at this point I am leaning towards the social work PhD. Once I hear from Loyola I will be ready to make a final decision. If I don't get in then I will happily move forward with a Phd in social work. If I do get in I will need to do a little more thinking. Good luck to you. Kbirch, good luck to you also.

Hey Sbboe, it looks like we have some things in common. I also applied to Loyola Chicago for sociology. I am hoping we hear from them this week. I visited LUC last fall and it looks like a great place to be. I also applied and was accepted to a social work PhD program. I am curious as to what you actually prefer, sociology or social work PhD. This is a question I am struggling with. Any thoughts?