breezyy

Yes - Chicago did offer me a third scholarship. But no, Chicago's year and the PhD year will not be too different financially. The biggest difference is that I'd pay a higher cost of living in Chicago. I've heard that if you have a fully-funded PhD offer, that it's a better option than MAPSS. However, I don't, and I'm am not persuaded that I'll be totally happy in this PhD. I sort of want to live a little bit of life to fully figure out my research interests and to be honest, myself. I wouldn't be afforded as much space to do that in a PhD.

I'm in a similar boat and I thought I'd pass along what my undergrad advisor told me: She said not to look at it as Masters vs PhD, but rather as fit. For me personally, I'm feeling better about the MA programs I applied to more than the one PhD program I got into. I really only applied to that PhD program because it was a convenient option - close to home, I was able to meet everyone early, etc. However, now, I don't think I want to settle like that. It's a decent program, but if an MA gives you the bridge to get into programs you really want to attend, that may be a better alternative. Perhaps your thinking may change if that PhD offer is fully funded, though. A PhD is a big undertaking and a big commitment, so your happiness ought to be worth something in your consideration. But also keep in mind that no program will be completely perfect. You can accept the PhD offer, and apply again this next season. The problem with that is that you may not have much else under your belt to better your application. Unfortunately, it is ultimately your decision. Go with your gut, and you'll make the best decision as is humanly possible in the moment. You can't ask for more than that. Hope this helps...

There are other topics for this, but they're old, so I began a new one. I want to know what everyone thinks about the M.A. Program in Social Sciences (MAPSS) at the University of Chicago. I'm open to anyone's opinions, but as a psych student, a psychology perspective would be most helpful. I have a half-funded PhD offer from a reputable, but not as well-ranked program. It is a private school, so the half-tuition would still put me in debt around $70-80k at the end of my degree. Additionally, the research fit at this PhD program is okay, but not fantastic. I fear I'd be unhappy down the line with the research fit. Despite these drawbacks, the program would get me to my goal of having a PhD in social psych and being able to research/teach from there, but likely not at R1s. So, UChicago's offer would be a less-direct route, but they boast a 80-90% acceptance rate into fully-funded (mostly top tier) PhD programs in psychology - many places I applied. While the program is multidisciplinary, you can work in anyone's lab (with their consent) and have anyone oversee your thesis who is willing. The program coursework is completed in 9 months (3 quarters) and most finish in the calendar year. I didn't get into the programs that were the best fits for me, and I don't want to take my only PhD offer just because it is convenient. I know academia can be quite pretentious about the name issuing your degree, and while I don't want to have to deal with another round of applications in 2 years, I want to set myself up for the best academic and professional future possible. Has anyone else been admitted to or completed UChicago's MAPSS program? It sounds really great to me, providing my POI will take me (he has agreed to meet me and show me the lab), but I want to be realistic about the program and how it will impact my future. Please let me know!

Hi! I was the one who posted a rejection from Pitt for social psych last week sometime. What did you want to talk about specifically?