coolranchtaco

Thank you for the replies. Just to provide an update: I'm really warming up to the idea of pursuing Philosophy on a graduate level. What do you all recommend I do in order to make myself competitive for a funded MA? Ideally I'd go to a funded MA (probably abroad, if so hopefully Canada) and then maximize my chances of getting in to a great PhD program in the States. I graduated a year early and haven't kept in too much contact with my professors, save for pestering them for letters of recommendation for law school. Have also been working a decent but soul-crushing office job that pays a little more than what I would make as a funded PhD candidate. I graduated Magna with a 3.70 Cum and 3.9 Philosophy major. My interests at this point are pretty broad, much more so than when I was an undergraduate all those (3) months ago. Definitely interested in Epistemology, History of Philosophy, and exploring Deconstruction (as well as other Continental approaches). Should I just talk to my old professors about this? I feel like I may have missed my chance to become an academic.

So! I'm having a bit of a crisis regarding my future. Just finished undergrad a couple of months ago with a BA in Philosophy. My plan, since my very first semester, was to attend law school. I've fallen in and out of love with the idea over the years, but its always been my most appealing option. Until now! I'm seriously considering either going back for a second BA or MA then PhD. In what? Good question! Though I majored in Philosophy I wouldn't want to pursue a graduate degree in the field. This may sound strange, but I'm absolutely infatuated with Occult history (Cultural Geography of Vodou, for example), Philosophy (i.e. Comparative Ethics of Wicca and Christianity, though thats a pretty obvious and heavy-handed example), etc. Re-telling the immigrant experience through the eyes of those that practice some form of what one might consider Witchcraft sounds like great fun, too. Anyway, for academia to even be a legitimate option I'd have to know exactly what kind of degree I should be considering. Does this sound like Cultural Geography? Anthropology? History? Religious Studies? Occult Studies doesn't sound like a degree in its own right, and if it was I'd worry for my job prospects (which is saying something considering the current market for Humanities PhDs!) Or maybe I'm just freaking out because the LSAT is driving me insane? Please help!

Is anyone else familiar with this program? I'm considering applying to begin right after graduation. From my research I've gathered that some consider it a fairly un-prestigious program while others recognize it for its rigor (though students are given quite a bit of freedom w/r/t course selection and Thesis topic). Also, the acceptance rate is apparently very high. Not sure if that has to do with self-selection.

I thought the deadline was in January. My first choice is Toronto, although I've made the decision to apply quite late (apparently). Has everyone applied early or am I confused?

Are you guys applying to begin Fall 2013?

Thanks for the response. I'm currently taking the Spring semester off (was feeling burnt out from taking 17 credits every semester) but will be returning to school in the Fall. So I'll be graduating in December. Not sure if all the deadlines are uniform, but I think UofT's is in early January. If I begin to prepare now, would you say I'd have enough time to gather all the required documents/essays for admission? I'm also fairly certain that I'll be able to pursue an independent study with a wonderful professor during my last semester. I'd like to use the term paper required for the independent study as my writing sample if possible. My university doesn't allow students who aren't in the honors college to write a formal thesis, so I'll hopefully be earning latin honors based solely upon my GPA. Also pretty sure that I'll be able to get my GPA up to a 3.7 since I've got one semester left and plan on only taking professors whose teachings styles I know and enjoy.

Hello all, this is my first post on these forums. Sorry if this is in the wrong place. I'm currently a senior studying at a large state school in the U.S. (highly regional, not much national rep) with a small Philosophy department. Up until now I was very secure in my decision to attend law school and have even begun collecting LSAT study material, but I would also really like to pursue an MA in Philosophy. If it went well I'd pursue a phD, though I'd be content with pursuing law instead. My main concern is how competitive I'd be for grad programs. Having done extensive research on law school admissions through blogs and forums I'm much more aware of what those applications are like. Whereas MA/phD programs seem to be far more nebulous and foreign to me. Currently have a 3.67 overall and a 3.96 in my major (Philosophy). My top choice at this point is the University of Toronto, which offers a 1-year MA program with guaranteed funding+living stipend and does not require the GRE. Seems perfect. Though the incoming class is like 10-15 students, which is awesome once admitted but makes me doubt my chances. I'm hoping to pursue a combination of skepticism (in the antiquated sense from what I gather), ethics and healthy dose of Descartes. Although I'd be up for studying most anything. TL;DR Heelp