AnxiousAndy

Definitely don't count GSU out. There are lots of students who didn't major in philosophy (maybe 25%?) and most folks don't enroll straight out of undergrad. Your GPA seems fine (http://philosophy.gsu.edu/graduate/admissions/admissions-data/) though your writing is more important. Sebastian Rand is probably the prof that best matches your interests. He taught a course on German Idealist aesthetics not long ago. -GSU Grad

I think the other posters are mostly correct to endorse a structured straightforward writing sample. That said, I used a "riskier" writing sample this admissions cycle and was decently successful being admitted to South Florida (PhD), Marquette (unfunded PhD), Georgia State (MA), SF State (MA), LSU (MA), and American University (MA). I chose a less traditionally structured paper on topic outside the mainstream (Foucault and US immigration policies), because it was by far my best undergraduate philosophy paper. I may have been admitted to better programs with a different sample, but an odd ball sample isn't necessarily a deal breaker if it is actually good. I can't emphasis it actually being good enough!

In my opinion having recommendations from non-philosophers isn't too much of an obstacle as long as they have knowledge of your writing on topics closely related to philosophy. Of my three recommendations; one was a philosophy professor, one has a joint appointment in history and philosophy but was primarily a historian, and another was a comp lit post-doc and I got into a top MA program and was received one fully-funded PhD offer.

This information isn't from this year, but in the three previous years LSU's MA placed people at Illinois-Chicago, New Mexico, WUSTL, Purdue, Kansas, Tulane, Indiana, Washington University (Comp Lit), Duke (Divinity), and UNC (Romance Languages and Lit). I was told this record was strictly anecdotal, so it's quite possible they actually placed more people. Either way, LSU grads have done fairly well getting into solid PhD programs and with a stipend over $8,000 it seems like an excellent option for those looking for a MA program strong in continental philosophy.

Georgia State! Hotlanta!

Thanks for this. I accepted Georgia State, today!

Thank you for all of the responses! I would not go into USF planning on transferring, but I would consider it after two years if I did not develop a strong connection with the program or Tampa and thought I could do well at admissions. Letters of recommendation do seem to be a risk with transferring, however. Philosophy admissions are unpredictable, but if I am unable to do well enough in two years at GSU to get in somewhere at least equal to USF then I would probably also struggle if I chose USF to begin with and likely not be able to finish my PhD there. If I am unable to improve as a philosopher in the next two years, then I doubt I'm cut out for academic philosophy.

Not trying to hijack this thread this thread, but I am making a tough choice between programs as well and would appreciate other's perspective. I currently have offers from Georgia State's MA ($5,000 first year; $10,000 second year) and South Florida's PhD program ($12,220 for five years). Is it stupid to decline a PhD offer for a strong masters like GSU? My interests are in continental and political philosophy. USF definitely has more continental faculty, but GSU students can take 6 hours at Emory for free and they have badass continental classes every semester to add to GSU's offerings. The financial situation is better as USF, but I believe I can get by at GSU with only $4,000 to $8,000 total loans in Atlanta, which seems very manageable. I also have zero undergrad debt The upside to GSU is potential to kick butt next time I apply and end up in a program that can place me in a philosophy job with health insurance (the ultimate goal). I also strongly prefer the city of Atlanta to Tampa. USF's advantage is a faculty very aligned with my interests and perhaps finishing my PhD a year earlier while not having to relocate. What do y'all think? How common is it transfer PhD programs after two years? Would a MA from GSU look better than one from USF if I attempted to transfer to a more highly regarded program after two years?

I got in off the waitlist at Georgia State today. I'll be removing myself from LSU's funding waitlist and declining SF State shortly. I also declined American University's MA a while back.

I was accepted to SF State on March 5, but I would be somewhat less worried about not hearing anything from them. They have rolling admissions and don't follow the same timeline for decisions as PhD programs, so I wouldn't be surprised if they took their time and sent admissions out in waves. Also, another MA program accepted me yesterday without any prior contact. My feeling is some programs are just slow moving. That said, I would definitely send the grad directors emails asking what was up.

Rejected from UGA and Memphis this week

If anyone is familiar with or attending San Francisco State's MA program, send me a private message. I've been admitted and would really appreciate an insiders perspective.

I received an unfunded offer from Marquette today. I have no idea how many they admit.

Anybody heard back from Memphis or Marquette?

Thanks! I hope so too. Are you choosing St. Louis instead of USF? The programs seem pretty comparable.