nonameplease

How does 60% compare to other grading systems. In the UK it is a solid pass and at many schools in the UK the MA grades are not considered for the PhD ( with some exceptions- LSE requires a 1st in Master's the program I am considering, though they make exceptions). Similarly, at the very few US schools I have looked at exceptional MA grades were not a prerequisite. In the US, it is a combination of things that make an application successful. Your grades are just one factor. By the way, what do you mean by "top"? If it is Ivy League well then, from my understanding those schools are highly competitive and your MA marks could be problematic. But don't despair, America is a large country filled with schools that have strong programs that are prestigious in their respective discipline. Moreover, a degree from a top school is what it is- what you do with your degree depends on many, many factors. Hope this helps and doesn't sound too pompous.

If you were taking a degree in the language then I'd say it was impressive and could be used to achieve your stated goal- but you're not. Master's degrees are a cash cow over here and Spain has around 25% unemployment and a lifestyle/culture that is not about American exceptionalism or bootstrap work ethic(Things to consider when you are going to uni based on cost- have you carefully considered why it costs so much less?!?). HR people in the States will wonder if your degree is legitimate because they have all of 20 seconds to scan your CV. They are not going to let you explain. Here's what could be problematic: What are the language requirements? Taking a degree in a cohort where people are not proficient in English is frustrating. English is a complex language and the standard tests used to determine proficiency don't capture what is necessary. If you want to be in seminar discussion with people who's language skills are more suitable to discuss the weather or order from a menu and talk about complex theory... well, then. A year in Spain to learn the language is not enough time. Moreover, if you do not speak Spanish - trying to get basic things done like doctor visits, setting up bank accounts, getting a cell phone, getting directions are going to be hard. It's not necessarily true that you will find English speakers. It's Spain they speak Spanish ( and Basque and Catalan). If you can't find information about your Uni and transferability to the US... don't you think the University would publish that sort of stuff? Universities world wide have something to say about the quality of their degrees and what their alumni do after graduation. Finally before you commit, understand living abroad even in an English speaking country is a challenge. It just is- no matter how open minded or prepared you think you are. Add school, new language, completely different culture and the very real possibility that your degree will never be transferable or useable for further ed or job purposes and the low cost doesn't matter. If on the other hand, you want a year long educational vacation and plan to spin the experience- go ahead and bless you!

It was specifically written for and to me by the person who was to be my supervisor at the committee's behest . Guess that by being so vague ( to remain anonymous) that I have not given enough information. What I'd really like to know is how often does this sort of thing happen? And some anecdotes about the application process the 2nd time at a school that has previously rejected you would be appreciated.

Would like some feedback. Was rejected earlier in the year for a PhD and last week was sent an unsolicited letter that outlined a plan to reapply. Comments, ideas or insight ?

I'm a good 20 years older than you- finishing a MA abroad. Perhaps your professor was just inarticulate? There are many, many reasons not to persue your stated goal mainly penury and adjuncts- but age, really not a factor. Age can be the your "edge" if you deploy it soundly.

I'm doing a taught Master's at a Russell's group Uni after an undergrad at the University of California. I'd say that many of the preceding posts seem to be rationalizations and then some are actual experience. While I have yet to graduate (let alone take my MA for a test drive out in the job market) there is one thing I know- you have to first of all apply and then you have to sell yourself. It's not so much the degree, it's who you know and how you present yourself and ultimately taking the degree and the knowledge gained and applying it to whatever job you are doing. Students graduating from my department are like students from any school stateside- the ones who are good at identifying goals and working toward them are not sorely disappointed that they took a degree. The ones that looked at the degree as a bonafide credential or a ticket to the next phase... well it doesn't seem to work that way. Bit of truth- social anthropology (that's what they call it over here) and the degree are constructed to be a step in the career pathway to being a professor. The demand for teaching staff... well, um "would you like fries with that" is something to think about- the structural faults of the education system both in the US and the UK are now at point where blaming the institution, the individual or the degree itself is just plain stupid. All the notions of education= something tangible... well, that probably hasn't been the case for years. Conversely, degrees still help get jobs- finding the balance and leaving behind the myth really helps. We went and became educated- we can write, work with ideas with a great deal of sophitication and therefore are employable. The sooner you identify exactly what your goal is and exactly how the degree benefits you along with the chances of successfully completing the degree without a huge debt the better the experience will be ( hint: if you're already in debt- taking on additional tens of 1000's is worse than smoking meth- it just is, don't argue). My reasons were very individual and almost unique- my degree at a well regarded university in the UK demonstrates my ability to adapt and excel- something that people in my age bracket are said to be lacking. Moreover, ( and this is totally my opinion) the UK education is settled on the basics. Because really it's a lifestyle and a culture that you adopt, not a manditory set of meetings and exercizes that are rigorously graded- something that I could not sometimes convince other members of my cohort. Education isn't always neatly graded and within a rubric- it's what you do with it. If you want to do well- show up at all the seminars, present at and attend conferences. Work on publishing- avail yourself of the opportunities, go to after seminar drinks at the pub. There is a whole world of learning that doesn't follow US guidelines. And these folks in the UK are just as accomplished. PS- BBC article pegs the US as # 14 in higher education ratings- the UK is #6. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27314075. That factoid is important when judging what your degree might be "worth". I personally would not bother with a program that is going to disallow my degree and make take another Master's - if I do a PhD I will do it in the UK at a top tier school because really Oxbridge, LSE and SOAS are not lesser schools - anywhere in the world. The British work hard to keep their standing and pedigree- something that will not change anytime soon- if you want to go to the UK, quit reading this board and find out for yourself. It might really work well for you.