Hello all:
I was thinking about making a new thread/topic for this question, but I just wanted to throw it out to the readers of this thread first as I continue to search through older posts on the same topic. My political science/IR Ph.D application cycle is not proving fruitful, with 6 rejections and 4 pending. I did, however, receive admissions into NYU's MA political science program because I checked the box to be considered for it (a consolation prize, as some had noted). I'm struggling with trying to decide if I should go to that program, improve my profile, and try again two fall cycles later. Besides the amount of debt I would have to take on to do the program, in the back of my mind I feel like if I applied directly for MA programs, I would have been able to have the freedom of choosing my programs (I regret not appying to Columbia or Chicago, as they also redirect to master's programs). Of course, the issue is that most well-regarded IR master's programs are professional-based ones (SFS, SAIS, etc.), and there's disagreement whether these programs are good preparers for a doctorate degree ().
So, my question is: what are some great academic-based, MA programs that have a history of placing graduates into Ph.D programs? Is NYU even one of those? Much thanks if you're able to help.