bob311

This is random but look into Heythrop College in the UK. They specialize in philosophy and theology and it might be a good place to start looking for people, etc.

Thanks for all the responses everyone. He just sucked it up.

Hi everyone, my brother has his first interview weekend this coming weekend and is excited. However last night the school told him he will be sharing his room booked by the school with another student. The next day he has 6 hours of scheduled interviews and is not excited about flying cross country to spend a night with a stranger then have a long day of interviews. Is is this normal procedure? Also, if he went out and booked a separate room for the night before so he can get a good nights sleep, will that reflect poorly on him? Thanks for the quick assistance.

So this is not for me directly, rather it's for my brother. If an ivy league sends out an invite to one of those visit days where he assumes he will be interviewed by his POI, what are the chances you actually get in? It is a mere formality where showing up finalizes your acceptance or is more like we have 4 students here interviewing for 2 spots kinda deal? Edit: the email is basically like we are so excited, we hope you visit to meet the other grad students, to talk one on one with the professor in your area, all travel reimbursed. ( I assume the language is similar elsewhere). He is curious because the other program he got in so far there wasn't even an interview. His POI called and accepted him with all the funding etc and dates when he should come to visit. But here, it's a visit then what? Thanks

Both the original article and this piece are incredibly under fire for huge methodological errors. Whether you agree with Leiter or not, the article and this response are filled with manufactured data from nowhere.

Honestly the best time of my life was doing my masters overseas. I wish I could go back.

Yeah sorry I don't really understand much of what he says. I know he doesn't have any papers published but he has worked on a few with some professors. Also he has extensive lab experience in various setting including hospitals. He has made two things that are now being tested/used in hospitals from his own research and design (I don't know if this counts as research or not, coming from philosophy something is either published or isn't, but I don't know what this counts as). He also has worked in varying labs over the past 5 years, some with professors, some in the private sector. I know his lab work and research in that area is extremely extensive, but as far as a name on a paper in a journal, nothing he has written himself. A general question. I know his ultimate goal is a PHD, but does getting an MS hurt that goal or does it make someone a more competitive applicant after for a phd? The financial situation is tough so unless he gets a funded MS it will be unlikely he can afford to attend unfortunately. Do these MS programs give any funding? I know in philosophy some MS programs will. Also, you both pointed out he might not be super competitive with the lower GPA for schools like Duke. Will a MS help offset that? Finally, what are his chances for a PHD at schools like Vandy, UMD, UVA?

Potentially yes. Depends on the department. My department really disliked when someone didn't follow directions. Really hurt their apps.

ironically, the place I went for my MA I used an undergrad paper that was short enough and worked hard on it. Turns out that smaller paper got a way better reception than my longer writing sample. So it doesn't necessarily have to be a cutdown from a larger paper.

I only applied for masters programs a few years ago (and really enjoyed my time at one), but some had really sort ws requirements. For those apps, I actually used a separate, smaller paper because if you are just taking a section out of a paper, it can read really weird. Also, I would recommend following directions. If it says no longer than X, do not try to pull a fast one and say skip this part. These schools have hundreds of apps for 5-10 seats. You do not want to put yourself on the back foot immediately because you couldn't follow directions. (Source: while doing my MA I worked with the admissions committee for MA and PHD apps). It doesn't reflect well that they ask for X and you give them Y. It might even get you placed into the rejection pile right away. Remember, schools are looking for reasons to not accept you no matter what they say. For some, its a GPA cutoff. For others, its certain undergrads. Don't force their hand.

Hey all, I am actually writing this post for my brother. I myself am a philosopher/ law student so I don't understand much but please help if you can. His stats Gre: verbal: 169/170 (99%) Math: 168/170 (95%) Writing: 5 GPA 3.5 from Lehigh University, Bioengineering undergrad with minors in mechanical engineering and something else. Edit: he doesn't have any publications, but has done work with numerous professors and with practitioners. He has projects he developed himself going into the industry and have already been successfully used in hospital settings (sorry thats all I really know, I don't understand the specifics). He also has done a senior capstone that is also being used effectively in trials for production for some hospital application (also don't understand the specifics). Sorry if that helps or doesn't. He applied to Duke, UNC, UVA, Vanderbilt, UMD, Cornell, uDel, GT for PHD (he really wants to go to Duke) Masters- Duke, GT, Cornell, Brown, Yale, Upenn, Hopkins, Imperial, Edinburgh Basically stats for admission are hard to find in comparison of something like law school where there are a ton of places to see scores and admission chances. Also, if he didn't get into a PHD he really wanted like Duke, would it be better going to a masters and then reapplying or is it like philosophy where getting into a phd, no matter where, is a blessing. Thanks for the help and my ignorance.

I was at another highly ranked philosophy graduate program doing my ma in the UK. 2 of my classmates are doing their dphils at Oxford. Lets just say both these individuals are the two brightest minds I've ever met in philosophy- and one didn't even get funding. I don't know the numbers but it is extremely difficult to get into the dphil there. 25 of us at our masters program (the 2nd ranked philo grad program in the UK) and only 2 got in for the dphil. Not to scare you, but just letting you know!

You can do such a thing at St. Andrews in the UK in just one year. Im currently doing a Mlitt in Moral, Political and Legal Philosophy specifically. Shoot me a pm if you want.

Thank you very much with your explanation. It does make sense that some hiring departments would find that an issue and I appreciate your commentary. What is still interesting in the broader context is the necessity for funding in order to be viewed "worthy". Another point to consider at least for arguments sake is how phd programs in general view just a masters degree from Oxbridge or St. Andrews (mphil, mlitt, msc at Edinburgh etc). These are rarely funded but do phd programs care about masters funding as long as the degree is from a highly regarded institution? These are just other interesting points to consider broadly. Not suggesting you or your dean has any more insight specifically.

I have heard this before but can you please give more detail to the conversation? I am curious because one could come back to that argument your dean detailed and say well if someone has the money to pay for it, then why should it matter if it was fully funded, partially funded or not funded, as you receive the same degree at the end of the day? The bias against people supporting themselves on this board has been noted again and again. Much of it good information, such as don't take out more loans just to increase debt in such an unstable job market. But if one has the means to, why should it matter how you received your degree financially, as long as you have a degree? Also it is of note that many of the UK schools such as Oxbridge do not fund (or lightly fund) Master's students but will fund the phd candidates. It is a way to let people decide what is right for them after a year or two and see not just on an application, but through applied learning and interaction who has the best chance at PhD success and therefore deserves funding. (Different system, different views. Not asserting if one is better, just trying to better understand). *Disclaimer* I am an American student attending the University of St. Andrews/Stirling program in the fall, and I have had previous experience at Oxford. The above financial information does not correlate to my situation specifically, but it has bugged me in general. Also, if you just look at cost of attendance from an American school such as Tufts compared to Oxbridge/ St. Andrews, it is generally much cheaper tuition wise head to head towards the UK ( Obviously I am not taking into account funding), but the degrees have strong strength in the market. I know an Edinburgh grad and St. Andrews grad personally who both came back to the states, one went to Hopkins and the other Yale and have strong tenured jobs at top 10 Liberal Arts Colleges (by choice, not wanting to deal with grad students). The UK system also gives students an opportunity to discover in a shorter amount of time what they would like to pursue. Personally I have not yet decided if academic philosophy is what I would like to commit my life to or if I would like to practice law and go that route. Having a 1 year program gives some students like myself that chance to find out rather than commit 2 for an MA in the states or 6 for a PhD without being certain. Sorry for the rant but I think it is important to discuss and qualify all this information /misinformation out there, especially for the new applicant cycle coming up.

Or even better, we both see each other at oxford haha

Congrats! Depending on how oxford turns out, I may see you at St. Andrews next year.

Just out of curiously, what college did you apply for/ get placed in? Deciding which college to apply to was difficult but i chose Harris Manchester because they have housing for grad students on sight. I have experience with the tutorial system after spending the summer at oriel so that isn't really a concern, and I tend to be very independent in my research and work anyway. I am hoping my past experience working with a number of the faculty does help my chances of admittance though. Hopefully it works out.

Actually I have just a few if you do not mind. How was your time at St. Andrews academically, ie rewarding, did you go on to a phd, etc? Also, how was the town and housing? I have not actually had the opportunity to go to St. Andrews previously and am concerned about the housing situation for postgraduates? Thanks a ton. Thanks for the answer. If you do not mind, how is your experience going at Oxford on the same kind of lines I asked above to sebgrebe? Thanks

First I would like to say hello. I am brand new as a poster but I have been checking this forum recently after discovering it on another forum. Basically, I have a comparison question and a few other questions about the Oxford Bphil if anyone can help? I will provide enough general background on myself. How do the programs compare? I know on the Leiter report and all the UK rankings that Oxford is by and large the overall #1, with St. Andrews having a top 2-3 UK ranking in grad philosophy. How does St. Andrews stack up overall in the world, especially the US? Also, what have people's experiences been in getting accepted to the Oxford Bphil/rejected? I have a full acceptance and already confirmed a place for the St. Andrews MLitt back on Thanksgiving among others detailed below. A little on me to help: To begin, I did not know if I wanted to study philosophy as a Master's degree. I planned on going to law school and that was it. It was only back in August I made the decision to at least get a Master's degree for a year or two and have options. This past summer I had the opportunity to study at Oxford and spend the summer researching with some really top academics in philosophy and theology. I did not think I would pursue philosophy initially because I was a political science major, and just happened to add philosophy as my second major. I have a good overall GPA, a 3.4, and a 3.65 philosophy GPA (my college is one of a handful in the USA to use a harsh GPA scale. No A+ 4.3 kinda stuff, a B+ is a 3.2, etc). No GRE's as the UK schools didn't require it. I attend a small, highly ranked (not top 25, but close) liberal arts college where I am an all american athlete, captain, and have helped win a lot of games and become really highly ranked (talking top 5 every year) along with a bunch of NCAA appearances. I also have founded and run a charity by myself that is growing significantly. On the philosophy front, I am a junior research fellow at two institutes, and had the research experience at Oxford. My college requires a thesis to graduate and I have written it on a topic in political theory. Along with my thesis, I have had 4 articles set out for publication, with one officially published in an anthology. Also my writing sample is, I believe very strong, last time I heard it will be published in a top journal sooner rather than later. My areas of interest are in political theory, philosophy of religion, philosophy of science and metaphysics. Basically I am curious how my changes at the Oxford Bphil are? Of the 9 schools I applied to (all in the UK, for personal reasons- want to travel, experience something new, history, blah blah blah) I got into all 8 plus waiting on Oxford- St. Andrews (Mlitt), Edinburgh (MSc), Glasgow (MA), Aberdeen (Mlitt and a large scholarship), Durham (MA), Bristol (MA and scholarship), King's College (MA), and Heythrop College (MA in two separate degree tracks). I will be attending St. Andrews if it doesn't work out at Oxford, so either way I am very happy. Thank you for reading this novel and helping.