M.A.E.

Could you elaborate on those negative first-hand accounts? And the funding situation? Seems that a New School MA would come out to near $60k, minus any scholarship/financial aid (assuming 33% scholarship, that leaves $40k outstanding - far smaller a debt than is required for law school )

Interesting, and helpful. Does anyone get the sense that funded MAs are better-respected than non-funded? This seems intuitively correct to a point, which is why I raised the example of New School vs Miami Ohio in my earlier post; all other elements of a program being equal, are adcoms likely to care about how your MA was financed?

Thanks to all for giving words of advice, even with so many unknowns. It is inspiring to hear that my case is not hopeless! That said, I do have some questions about MA programs, should I choose to attend. I have heard (perhaps not from reputable sources) that obtaining an MA prior to applying to PhD programs makes one a less desirable candidate. Does anyone know this to be true in philosophy? What internet research I have conducted suggests that it is program dependent, but I haven't been able to uncover any details specific to Continental philosophy. I ask because I am looking at MA programs at the University of Warwick (UK), New School, Miami of Ohio... only the last of which seems to offer both a strong program and strong financial support (I have read some comments here and elsewhere regarding the New School's superb faculty but total lack of effective funding; Warwick seems of a similar status). Assuming money is not an issue, would it be worth attending a seemingly weaker program for for the sole fact that funded programs are more impressive to PhD adcoms? If it is any clarification: I would be most interested in attempting to place myself on a trajectory towards attending UChicago's Committee on Social Thought, which if I'm mistaken is exceptionally competitive and exceptionally difficult to finish. Thus, I am interested in attending the MA program which is most relevant to my interests and highly-regarded (assuming, of course, I can actually get in!). Apologies for the continued lengthy posts; a lot to hash out in my mind. Some answers, of course, may be best provided by my former professors (with whom I intend to continue contact) -- but I figure it doesn't hurt to ask around. My thanks in advance for your ongoing advice and assistance!

Posted this to the Phil subforum, but figured I might catch some additional words of advice by adding it here: Totally new to these forums, so my apologies if this topic has been covered a thousand times before -- I'm sure it has. But as a 2013 B.A. recipient now bent on returning to graduate school to study [continental] philosophy, I want to jump the gun and run my stats by you in the trenches to see what next steps I should take. Undergraduate: Williams College '13 (B.A. in philosophy, GPA 3.57) GRE: currently enrolled in a prep course; I will take the GRE this spring (probably March) Areas of Interest: Georges Bataille, Nietzsche, Hegel's reception in France (i.e., Kojeve & Hyppolite); to a lesser extent: Foucault, queer theory Obviously I was not a remarkable undergraduate student. I matured somewhat over the course of 4 years, but it has taken a few additional years to -- if you'll excuse my French -- get my shit together and focus my interests. Now, after working as a paralegal considering (and abandoning) law, I am certain that I would like to pursue a PhD in philosophy; my question is: how do I get there? It seems I have much to make up for. While I had a strong relationship with one well-respected Foucault scholar in undergrad (and a good relationship with a young Kant/Hegel prof), I would need to come up with one (or two, if the young guy is a bad bet) recommendation(s). I also had acceptable grades (I intend this disparagingly ). While I test well, I haven't taken the GRE yet so it remains an uncertainty. Specifically, I am wondering: is philosophy even the right place for me, a formerly mediocre undergrad? I suppose my interests lie more in the vein of 'critical theory'. In any event, I would love any and all advice that anyone can offer regarding compensating for poor undergraduate performance and solidifying letters of recommendation after graduating from undergrad. The obvious answer to me is "get an MA", though I wonder about the value of such programs given the accompanying financial burden. Let's say I could rope someone in to provide a 3rd rec, ace the GRE, and put together a stellar writing sample by the end of this year -- would I still be insane to apply to PhD programs? (Browsing the forums here leaves me pessimistic about my chances at this point...) It that's not an option, would an MA help my future chances of acceptance into good PhD programs? Apologies for the lengthy post; anxieties are running high as you can see, as I'd like to move things along for the 2016 application cycle. Any advice would be greatly appreciated -- and thank you in advance!!

Totally new to these forums, so my apologies if this topic has been covered a thousand times before -- I'm sure it has. But as a 2013 B.A. recipient now bent on returning to graduate school to study [continental] philosophy, I want to jump the gun and run my stats by you in the trenches to see what next steps I should take. Undergraduate: Williams College '13 (B.A. in philosophy, GPA 3.57) GRE: currently enrolled in a prep course; I will take the GRE this spring (probably March) Areas of Interest: Georges Bataille, Nietzsche, Hegel's reception in France (i.e., Kojeve & Hyppolite); to a lesser extent: Foucault, queer theory Obviously I was not a remarkable undergraduate student. I matured somewhat over the course of 4 years, but it has taken a few additional years to -- if you'll excuse my French -- get my shit together and focus my interests. Now, after working as a paralegal considering (and abandoning) law, I am certain that I would like to pursue a PhD in philosophy; my question is: how do I get there? It seems I have much to make up for. While I had a strong relationship with one well-respected Foucault scholar in undergrad (and a good relationship with a young Kant/Hegel prof), I would need to come up with one (or two, if the young guy is a bad bet) recommendation(s). I also had acceptable grades (I intend this disparagingly ). While I test well, I haven't taken the GRE yet so it remains an uncertainty. Specifically, I am wondering: is philosophy even the right place for me, a formerly mediocre undergrad? I suppose my interests lie more in the vein of 'critical theory'. In any event, I would love any and all advice that anyone can offer regarding compensating for poor undergraduate performance and solidifying letters of recommendation after graduating from undergrad. The obvious answer to me is "get an MA", though I wonder about the value of such programs given the accompanying financial burden. Let's say I could rope someone in to provide a 3rd rec, ace the GRE, and put together a stellar writing sample by the end of this year -- would I still be insane to apply to PhD programs? (Browsing the forums here leaves me pessimistic about my chances at this point...) It that's not an option, would an MA help my future chances of acceptance into good PhD programs? Apologies for the lengthy post; anxieties are running high as you can see, as I'd like to move things along for the 2016 application cycle. Any advice would be greatly appreciated -- and thank you in advance!!