bizio

I can see how this is a difiicult choice, because the pros of working with an advisor you love for many years can also be outweighed if you're unhappy about your living situation for all those years. One thing that sticks out to me, and I might be off-base here: While the quality of the work you produce will ultimately be the most important factor in future success, aren't we also viewed as products of the school we choose? If your research and interests are interdisciplinary, will a program that has a reputation for being more conservative and taking a different approach to the field be a detriment? Will people make assumptions about your work or methodology based on the program before looking at your research? This is a question I have in my decision, too. Less about prestige than about being labled as a specific type of student or thinker based on the methodology and general culture that drives different programs.

Update: I am now leaning towards School A. After some emails with the DGS, I am becoming more concerned that lack of fit on paper at School B will translate into actual roadblocks as I pursue my particular research interests. I am also very swayed by the argument that "friendliness" is not a reason to choose a school. At this point, I think that School A will not only provide good internship leads and allow me to make professional connections, but will still provide the rigorous academic challenge that I'm looking for. Both schools are great programs where I would learn a lot, and I would be silly to think that I wouldn't be able to get the theoretical background in addition to the policy at School A. And if I'm not sure whether I'll want to continue on for a PhD afterwards, then the professional connections at A could prove invaluable. And finally, while the first year costs are higher at School A, there is a much better chance of second year funding and I was almost guaranteed travel money for regional research (which is a huge plus, in my book).

Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts. I think that what makes this difficult is that my goal for an interdisciplinary MA is to decide if I do want to pursue a PhD, and if so, in what discipline. School A offers me a lot of coursework in what I want to research right now, and a name advantage if I do decide to pursue a PhD. But as for afterwards/industry, I would basically have to adjust my whole concept of what I want to do professionally. School B is less of a good fit for my current interests, but gives me more freedom to either apply to PhD programs from a strong MA, or would set up me up with a network and some professional credentials in the field I eventually want to work in. I think I would have more options coming out of school B, while I would have a great name on my CV coming out of school A, but would probably end up looking for jobs in a sector I'm not as passionate about but would be better connected in. Clearly, I just need to figure out what I want to get out of these programs!

I'll try to keep this concise, but here's another question about deciding between two MA programs. Program A is incredibly prestigious, and on paper is a great fit. However, after visiting I am feeling very lukewarm about it. The faculty and staff I met with were not as helpful, no current students would volunteer to talk with me, and the general 'vibe' was much more subdued. I would be much more on my own in terms of seeking out professors to work with and courses to take. Also, the curriculum and research interests of the students seem much more policy-based, whereas I am interested in cultural studies and see myself eventually in that realm professionally (i.e. I worry that I would be treated as a lightweight in a department of hard-nosed, ambitious policy people). On the plus side, I feel like I would be able to get a great internship and the name of the program would open a lot of doors down the road. Also, if I want to pursue a PhD, their graduates are currently all at Ivies. There's also the opportunity for more second-year funding, and travel funding (though the first year costs would be much higher). School B on paper doesn't look like a fit at all. In fact, I would be the only person in the department working on my area of interest. But they were much more excited about me in general, and while I would still be doing some independent work to meet the needs of my interests, I got the impression that I would be much more supported by the department in doing so, and everyone (faculty, staff and students) seemed both interested in what I want to do, and like they would welcome the perspective I would bring to the program. The general bent of the coursework is more theoretical, so while the course titles might not seem like a great fit, the content would be applicable to my interests and I would be able to research and write on my area of interest. I met a lot of students, all of whom were incredibly warm and friendly, and there's a much more cohesive collegiality in this program. I would also do an internship in a museum/cultural institution, and this university in general is very well-regarded and well-connected in that realm and would proved me with professional skills if I decide to look for a job after graduating. Alternately if I go the PhD route, I feel like I would be better prepared in terms of my knowledge and academic abilities, but I would be less well-connected in the field I eventually want to go into. This school is less expensive, but there are fewer funding opportunities for the future. I felt at home at school B and like I would thrive and grow there, whereas at school A I feel like I would put the time in, get what I need, and then rely on the program's prestige to help me get a job afterwards. Basically, my heart is telling me to go with school B, but when I write it all out school A seems like a more logical choice. Sorry, this was not concise at all.

I'm visiting NYU's program this week. My sub-field is Central Asia, which NYU includes in Near Eastern Studies, but feel free to PM me if you have general questions about the program, and I'm happy to share any information I can. I'll be there Thursday-Friday.

I just got back from visiting Madison and CREECA last week. My interest is in Central Asia, so a lot of my questions related to resources specific to that region. I would say the big thing that stands out from other programs I'm considering is how small it is. Apparently there are only 4 students currently in the program. Which can be great, because it felt like there's a lot of support for those students. But I worry that it can also be constraining. Feel free to PM me if you have more specific questions about my visit there.

Seriously, NYU? It has been almost 3 weeks since I was told I should hear something. I've seen both acceptances and rejections for the program I applied to on the results page. But I generally believe no news is bad news, and I'm afraid to call and ask. Also, I think everyone is assigned a NetID when they apply. Or at least you can create one with the ID number beginning with 'N' in the email confirming receipt of you application.

I applied to a Regional Studies program at Columbia, and from I've seen from the results search in past years and read around Grad Cafe I am not expecting to hear anything until April. It seems they generally take much longer with MA decisions. NYU seems to just vary by department. Their website indicates that the Graduate School first reviews applications, then forwards them to individual departments for the final decision and notification.

I will begin my MA after 8 years out of school and am changing career paths, so I feel completely unprepared and out of my element. While I've always been a good student, I am out of practice and I know I'll need to establish some new norms in my daily routine - mostly dedicated time to reading and writing! Luckily, I'll start off slowly with a language course over the summer so I can get used to being back in a classroom. I'm also compiling a summer reading list for myself, and searching for articles related to my general research topics. I'm very excited to sign up for Amazon Student, too! I bought a new backpack, and I can't wait to fill it with books. Part of what makes this next month so challenging is that I'm still waiting to hear from a few programs, and am not close to making a decision yet. I think once I choose a school it will all start to feel much more "real," and I will be able to more seriously prepare.

Thanks for the info and the reassurance. I guess that's just what it's about: getting a feel for the program and what it would be like to be a student there. I just feel like I'm crashing the department for a day!

I think two days sounds reasonable for a campus visit, as long as they're weekdays. If it's a new city and you're also scoping out neighborhoods, you've got evenings and hopefully some time between your arrival and departure to wander around. All the visits I have planned are one or two days. Related question: what exactly are you setting up in advance of your visit? I'm looking at MA programs, so I am more concerned with meeting a variety of people and getting an idea of who exactly I would like to work with and/or hope to be my advisor. I guess I just feel a little awkward cold-calling people and asking to meet with them as a complete unknown and without fully formed research proposals (I am also completely switching fields, so I feel out of my element in general). But I was thinking that I would email asking to observe a couple classes, then introduce myself in person and informally chat with professors before or after. I'll also be attending a departmental lecture at one school, which I'm looking forward to. Is there anything else you set up or prepare for when planning a visit?

I was invited to an open house/alumni career panel at a program I do hope to be admitted to. However, there is no reimbursement for travel and I really cannot afford to fly out and back in a day for this short event. I worry this may hurt my chances, but also feel a little put off by the whole situation. If admitted, I definitely intend to visit the school and program. However, I am not willing to pay money to travel and visit if I still may get rejected. Does anyone else have experience with a more casual visit like this? I know any opportunity to meet and talk to faculty and staff is valuable, but is it make-or-break in terms of admissions? Also I might just be overreacting, and they extend the open house invite to anyone who has expressed an interest in the program.

I'm not sure where I'll end up going, but I'm planning on attending the Campus Days to meet people and get a feel for the program. So far, everyone I've met or talked to at U of C has been so kind and friendly, and I really love the school. I'm just not sure if it's the right program for my interests and goals.

Thanks, everyone. I really do think I'm developing an ulcer, but it helps to know everyone else has ulcers, too!

Good sign? I received an email from a very competitive program (let's be honest: Harvard) saying that I had not applied for a FLAS even though I am eligible, and encouraging me to submit an application ASAP if I wanted to apply, basically extending the application deadline (which had been 12/31). When I explained that I didn't have anyone to write the letters of recommendation required for the fellowship app, the coordinator said that was fine and they had all the other materials from my GSAS app, they just needed the FLAS application form and a separate statement for how I would use the fellowship. This is good right? If they didn't like my app, they wouldn't encourage me to apply for a fellowship? Or is it just routine, and they scan to see who didn't apply for funding and forward their names to the fellowship coordinator? I have to say, this is getting my hopes up. Which in turn just makes me more anxious.