glenrunciter

Thank you both! My undergraduate GPA was 3.91, I just didn't think of applying to any PhD programs because I was sure I wouldn't get in. Got accepted to a number of pretty good masters' programs but couldn't afford to go there. So I was just thinking of building a strong resume and portfolio along with a decent Masters' GPA at St John's, instead of taking out massive loans for Dartmouth.

Hi, this is my first post on this website. Long story short, turned down a number of acceptances from the New School, Columbia, SVA, etc because they didn't give me enough aid, and I'm trying to choose between an MALS degree from Dartmouth and an MALA from St John's in Santa Fe. I'll be applying to places like UC Berkeley, Irvine, SC, UT Austin, Columbia, etc. for a degree in English/Rhetoric with a focus on critical theory next year, and I wondered if anyone had any opinions on which one would serve me better - the MALS degree (which is more expensive and also not that focused on English) or the MALA one (which is pretty rigorously devoted to lit/philosophy). I know that Dartmouth is more prestigious and whatever, but St John's seems more interesting.