Everton34

Hi everyone. I am new to the forum and in some ways the doctoral-level admissions process. I want to explain a little bit about my background and ask a few questions. Hopefully I can avoid being too verbose and maybe some of you will be able to help! I received my B.A. in mass communication (3.65 GPA, 3.85 in the major + honors diploma) M.A. in communication (3.95 GPA) from one of the stronger mass comm. programs (according to the various rankings) along with my master's of public policy (MPP). It was a three year combined program. I decided in order to further my professional and academic goals, it made the most sense to work a few years before possibly pursuing the PhD. I do not think I had the maturity a few years ago to take the next step. I also think working "in the field" so to speak, will make me a better researcher and teacher. So now I am starting to consider returning for the doctorate. I plan on spending the next year making a final decision: to pursue academia (the new, positive tenure data helps!) or continue in my growing professional career. And that is what brings me to this forum. Doing my due diligence, I suppose. So a few questions that hopefully one or more of you may be able to answer. Any kind of help would be much appreciated. 1. My particular area of research is not well studied, which seems like a catch 22: on one hand, it means my focus is ripe for study and it is easy to explain my research interests. On the other hand, since it is not well studied, I find there is no direct faculty at any school who have a specific background in my particular focus. There are some with broadly similar backgrounds (e.g. political communication) and could probably do a fine job advising me, but I worry it will hurt my ability to secure a spot at my preferred programs. Should I be worried? 2. On that line of thinking, how do I assess "fit" within a program? The emails sent to faculty asking about their research and ability to take on prospective doctoral students? 3. In my M.A. program, I completed a thesis, assisted a professor with an introductory course (I taught 2x/week), and completed an independent research project, along with my courses in both communication and public policy. I was also the editor of a journal in my public policy program. In undergrad, I also completed a thesis and several faculty-led independent research projects. However, I have no direct publications. I also have not presented academic research at a conference. How big of a mark will this be on my application? Truth be told, I was very busy trying to combine two graduate degrees into one program and at some points felt a professional career would be more ideal than an academic one. Therefore at the time I was not as concerned about publishing and presenting research. 4. For doctoral program admissions, will having relevant professional work experience and another (also relevant) graduate degree be seen as a positive? 5. Finally: what separates students who get into the top programs from the rest of the pack? I am sure many students have strong grades, GRE scores, references, and statements of purpose. What differentiates the applicants? These are my major questions for now. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

Could you elaborate a little more? Musical chairs in the sense that only ~15 schools hire students from the same graduate programs when there are openings?

I have been thinking about a PhD in Mass Comm for the better part of the last 5-6 years. I have my master's degree in communication, along with a professional degree that currently allows me to work in a communication-related capacity. My love for teaching and research in the field always calls me back to the consideration of a PhD. A few mentors have encouraged me to consider the PhD and it appears that I have found a novel area of research. But the first step in this long journey: what comes at the end of the PhD rainbow? Everywhere I look there are more articles about declining tenure-track positions. And professional opportunities with the PhD are not likely much better than my current situation, and even if they are, certainly not worth several more years of education. So I am really curious to hear all of your thoughts. Is there anxiety among communication PhD students? Should I be worried? Anyone going through my same line of thinking? Hope to hear more. Thanks!