philstudent1991

No one can deny that Plato and Aristotle should be near the top of any such list in terms of their influence.

Well. Tufts and Brandeis have deplorable funding, not even comparable with that of GSU. I can't comment on the funding at UWM, NIU or VA Tech. In terms of placement Tufts and Brandeis have an edge but my opinion is that no one has any business going to those schools unless they are independently wealthy. Going into debt for a philosophy degree, an MA no less not even a PhD, is a foolish thing to do. There may be exceptions but very widely this is true.

I've heard of this kind of negotiating as well, and splintered mind actually recommends it as long as the other contenders are comparable schools. However, check out the post on Leiter's blog about the TT job applicant who had been given an offer (if I remember right) and then tried to negotiate (reasonable demands like maternity leave and higher salary) and rather than decline her requests or play ball, the university outright rescinded her offer. This is what we get when there's a reserve army of surplus labor and we just have to deal with it until the socialist revolution turns over the means of production to the masses and dissolves income inequality. But in the meantime, competition for funding is fierce so do your best to get extra if you can but be careful, because there are masses hungry and cold on the waitlist that would be happy to take your place.

Damn in favor of what

I can only speak to Brandeis but I'm pretty sure if you were accepted or waitlisted you'd be contacted

Well. Dreyfuss for instance is at Berkeley, and there's no way you're getting into Berkeley without a background in philosophy. Consider MA programs to see if it's something you're prepared to make a deep commitment to.

from the letter: "that odds will always (ever) be in someone's favor." I like the Hunger Games reference

I don't think a letter to UCLA would do anything. I think you need someone influential with a big audience like Leiter to say something about it.

UConn is expected to be ranked much higher in the upcoming PGR. Nonetheless, I don't think he meant his comment literally lol

I couldn't find the thread where people were complaining about UCLA, but might I suggest that a couple people (myself included) contact Leiter about it (anonymously if preferred)? It is clear that their policy is unique among comparable schools and that it slows down the process tremendously, a process many other schools actively try to expedite. A post on his blog can do a LOT of good. Just a thought.

I said like exactly this a month ago and everyone were jerks about it lol

Alright, let's make this the official final decision thread. Please, ladies and gentlemen, refrain from conversation in this thread other than posting where you are going next year to pursue either the philosophy MA or PhD. That said... Georgia State!

I know that many people apply in their last year of the MA so surely that's what is meant, tho I see why you would ask.

Also waitlisted at Houston and will remove myself

I'll be taking myself off the waitlist at Brandeis, hope that helps someone!

Oops, posted in the "Funded" thread, if OP is interested.

To the OP, it seems absolutely foolish to attend an unfunded MA, especially with a child, no matter where it is. I agree that if the poster is really serious about philosophy, taking non credit courses at UW Milwaukee in hopes of getting accepted in the next cycle is quite reasonable. For what it's worth, there is an admit at GSU that did precisely this (took pos-bac or whatever at GSU throughout the year prior to app season, then had a strong foundation and letters from ppl in the dept). Doing that is a better idea than the unfunded program I think. Also, as others mentioned, an unfunded program probably means you didn't get in to a funded one. And while one will improve in an MA program, keep in mind that the competition to PhDs is the people from the funded MAs, who are at a higher starting point than you. whatever that means. Finally, on the rankings debate: 1. Tufts, 2. Brandeis, 3. GSU, 4. UWM, 5. NIU, honorable mention Houston, UMSL. But of course Tufts and Brandeis don't really have funding so for many, those are quite undesirable. My view is that while Tufts and Brandeis are able to draw some of the very best applicants, the average student at places that fund everyone, like GSU, is better than the average student at schools that don't fund. I don't have the data necessary to prove this claim and I doubt such data is available, just my two cents.

Did they email Texas rejections or did you check site?

Riverside

Awesome site Matt!

When I was rejected to all PhD programs...

For those that have a personal site, any advice on where to make one? I want one for a picture, about me, CV and maybe a link to a sample or something.

As far as MAs, I applied to GSU, Brandeis and Houston. I am accepted to GSU, waitlisted at Brandeis, and won't get funding at Houston so I won't be going there regardless. I'll probably go to GSU.

Waitlisted at Brandeis

Vanderbilt