bar_scene_gambler

Has anyone else here considered U Chicago's Committee on Social Thought? I visited the university last week and spoke with some grad students, and several said that I might also think of applying to the Committee as well. It looks interesting, but I know nothing of its reputation.

Looks like I found this thread pretty late. I've applied for a Fulbright Research Grant to study at U Warwick in the UK. Anyone else here looking at Warwick?

The MAPH doesn't offer funding. It's U Chicago's moneymaker basically. It might get you placement later down the line, but it's not worth it financially.

I appreciate the time you took to write this, and it's great to hear that you're succeeding, but I was wondering if you could answer a few questions. First, what are you doing your research on? Because obviously that makes a big difference when applying to schools. If you're doing, say, feminist philosophy or pragmatism, then you're going to have a better shot at getting into Vanderbilt than someone who was interested in doing work on Eastern philosophy or something of the sort (though obviously you'll have a hard time getting in at most places with a sole interest in Eastern Phil). Second, what were the minutia of your application like (by which I mean your GPA, GRE, and such)? They're minor in the overall scheme of things, but they'll help you survive the first cut during the admissions process. And last, what universities (besides Vanderbilt) offered you a spot? Were they funded or unfunded? I'm just curious about where else you were accepted, given all of the information you've provided.

Graduating Magna Cum Laude (GPA between 3.8 and 3.9). President and founding member of a chapter of Phi Sigma Tau (national honor society). I've presented at two conferences, am pending publication in the proceedings of one, and won an award for best comparative paper. My recommendations are going to be strong. Well known private school, double major in Philosophy and Asian Studies 161V/153Q/4.5 GRE I've been working on my writing sample for almost a year now. It's as well written as it's going to be. I am applying to 5 top 25 progams, 2 top 50's, and one unranked program, in addition to a few MAs. I am also applying for a Fulbright scholarship to study in the UK, and I anticipate receiving it. My packet has been described as the best that my school committee has seen in years, and I have the support of two faculty members at the institution which I'm applying for. Main interests: Nietzsche, Chinese Philosophy, Philosophy of Language. This is just a repeat of what's in my signature though.

I've been browsing this forum since July or so. I've been fretting for a really long time but there's barely any activity around here. It's odd, but I think we'll see a rise in posters in the next few months. Glad to see you're wearing your application stats on your sleeves though. I'll update some of my info as well. It's relieving to see what other people are up to.

University of Wisconsin (Milwaukee), Georgia State University, Brandeis, University of Houston, Northern Illinois University, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, and Western Michigan are all good choices in terms of funded (or at least, there's a chance of funding) terminal MA programs in the US. Also, most of these programs have really good PhD placement records. I hope that helps.

Yeah, I talked to Peter Poellner about it. I'm working on getting a Fulbright to pay for my MA year.

Hey frege-bombs, So my opinion on MA programs is that you ought to try to get into a program that has a great placement record with good PhD programs. In that regard, your list is pretty good. I don't have any other programs to add to it (and I'm trying to get into a few of those programs myself). Any GRE scores? Publications? Other pertinent experience?

It seems like there aren't enough people around to make it worth anyone's time. I guess the best thing to do would be to wait until there are more people browsing the forum before setting up something like this (if there are more in the future that is).

confuzzled: I know that your concerns are valid, but, let's be honest, what is the likelihood of any of our writing samples being ground-breaking enough to be worth stealing? And, setting that aside, what are the chances that you'll end up with a writing sample in an area that you'll be familiar enough with to actually want to steal? And just because you aren't, say, a scholar of Chinese philosophy does not mean that you might not have something valuable to say about the clarity, structure, or cohesion of a writing sample on Chinese philosophy. Narziss: My sample is an essay comparing Laozi's and Kant's ethics.

There don't appear to be too many people wandering the forum right now, so perhaps this isn't a great time to ask, but I was wondering if anyone wants to set up an anonymous writing sample exchange. Obviously we're all undergraduates here, so the input from others might not be as helpful as, say, input from a faculty member or graduate student, but I feel like if we have a large group of individuals all commenting on the same writing samples, some good comments and advice may come out of it. I have ideas on how to put a sample exchange into effect, but I'd like to know whether or not you guys want to participate first before I do anything.

Funding is tricky. I'm applying for the MA in Continental Philosophy and the only reason why I'm even attempting it is because I'm working on getting Fulbright funding to support me for my year with the MA. Professor Poellner told me that funding for PhD students is usually much easier to get, it's just making it to that point that is tricky. It's a shame really, because the program is probably the most enticing out of the programs that I'm looking into thus far (in terms of the concentration on "continental" theory, not due to placement records or any of that).

I don't know if this will be of any help, but University of Warwick has a strong "continental" program, and they have an MA in Philosophy and Literature (you mentioned you were interested in Comp. Lit.). They are, much like other "continental" programs, stronger in contemporary french philosophy, but they do have a number of faculty who work in aesthetics, so it might be worth a look anyway.

It's a $75 application fee. But if you're looking at continental philosophy, why are you applying to MIT? That's probably one of the worst places you could go if you're interested in Nietzsche and continental thought (I assume that you still are of course)

There are exceptions to the rule though, as you know. Not all American MA's are not worth pursuing. There are a few that have great placement records and funding for their students.

Much appreciated Damis. I'll give some thought to a project.

Yeah, I already browsed the website. It doesn't clarify much really. The page you linked doesn't mention much about my question in specific details.

I'm just starting my application for the Fulbright for Fall 2014, and I had a question regarding the statement of grant purpose. If the reason for my searching for a grant is funding an MA in the UK, and not necessarily research oriented, do I still need to have a research goal in mind? Realistically, the reason why I'm applying for the Fulbright is because there is an amazing school in the UK for some very specific areas of philosophy which I'd like to specialize in academically (Nietzsche/French Existentialism) and I won't be able to fund it myself. And, frankly, it's one of the better programs in the English speaking world (necessary for me, because I only speak English and Mandarin). I don't have a specific research goal in mind, as I'm just looking to continue on my path towards a PhD, but if I still need one, I can develop one.

So the program will hold onto the scores, even if I haven't started an application?

So I'm taking my GRE's in late August, long before any graduate programs open for applications. Can I still send my GRE scores, or will that be a total waste? Because ETS gives you 4 free programs to send your scores to, and I don't want to waste it. Will the school keep my scores on record, or will they just require me to resubmit them when I apply?

I second what zapster said. Also, if possible, see if your recommenders can explain the gaps in your transcript for you. It sounds way better coming from faculty than from the applicant. Just focus on your academic interests and how you fit with the institution you're applying for, and trust your recommenders to make up the difference in transcript strength.

isostheneia, Well, you'd definitely be able to tell me whether or not you think my ethics paper is a strong sample, considering that I sent it to you a while ago. I must admit though, I'm a little hesitant regarding U Chicago, only because it seems that faculty there (I'm mainly referring to Leiter) study Nietzsche in a way that I find...distasteful. Too analytic, not existentialist enough, you know? I don't know much about Professor Conant's work, but the professor of existentialism in my department tells me I wouldn't like to work with him. However, if you believe that the analytic/continental mix is even enough, it would be a great consolation.

Ah. I apologize. Well I would wait until things start picking up around here and then repost this.

Hey philapp. I feel bad that no one else has responded, so I'd like to give you my two-cents, for what it's worth. I'm also applying for next fall, so keep that in mind. First, it's incredibly difficult to be admitted to a top-ranked department (I assume you're talking about the PGR). Everybody wants in and it's difficult to distinguish yourself from the herd, so to speak. From what I can tell, you have to have a stellar academic profile in order to get in. How important is it? I think that depends on your goals. Are you looking to teach/do research at a top ranked program? If yes, then it's pretty important that you get into a top ranked program. They (obviously) have better placement than lower ranked/unranked programs. However, if you just want to do research and you don't care where you're doing it, then good news, it doesn't really matter if you get in to a top ranked program. Any program worth its salt can place you. It doesn't have to be Harvard or MIT. I think the more important thing to consider is whether or not you're going to want to work with the faculty at Harvard or MIT. Ivy league programs are notorious for faculty disinterest in terms of what the graduate students are doing. Do you want to work closely with your advisor? If so, you're probably better off not going to an Ivy. More often than not, they're more interested in their own research than yours. Now, that isn't to say that they won't, as a matter of fact, care about your research, it's just less likely than some of the smaller, less known programs. Beyond that, do your interests align with the faculty at Harvard or MIT? If not, then you won't last long anyways. It'll be an uphill battle for you to remain interested in what everyone else is doing, never mind the fact that you won't have common interests with anyone (other grad students probably included). You want to find an environment where you'll be able to thrive. Final thought: What are you looking for in your career? What would make your career a "good" one? Would a good career be studying under a big name and getting a tenure track position at Oxford or Yale? If so, then I suppose your best bet is to go to an Ivy, but good luck to you. I can't stress enough how difficult achieving that dream will be. Or is a good career one where you have the freedom to do your own research and be able to survive doing it? Obviously this a false dichotomy; you have to figure out for yourself what a good career is for you. All I'm saying is, figure out what kind of career you want. After you do that, then you can figure out for yourself whether or not Harvard or MIT are important.