thomasf

for me it is an issue of pure philosophical pleasure. where are you going ogo?

I wondered why I couldn't find that page on their site for the life of me.

Then why are you declining?

Anybody who got accepted on this board? Made a decision yet? (I'm waitlisted and sort of pining)

Good luck to you mystery guest. I appreciate your perspective, and I'm sure your cohorts will be on the main fantastic. I know this since I was almost one of them Out of curiousity, what's your discipline...? --must be either politics or philosophy if you would have considered the new school...

Yes, the MAPH seems to be about paying in extremely hard work and lots of money for the stamp of approval from a prestigious university. Of course, the prestige isn't empty. As I said, the faculty in my discipline at least are at the top of their field. I am considering the NS, certainly over Chicago, because the MA is two years, and they have offered me a 50 percent tuition scholarship and are discussing more. Although that is not a lot compared to a phd program which would almost certainly be fully funded with stipend, the program is still very good for what I want to do, which is a fairly uncommon (it seems) mix of heavily political and continental philsophy. Also the MA is non-terminal, meaning that I am likely to be offered phd candidacy when I complete the ma program, pending my performance. There will also be more money to be had at that time. All in all I'll have to work very hard as well, and if I get accepted at my wait list option, then I'll take it without hesitation (unless NS considers a full tuition waiver, which is highly unlikely). But I am also becoming highly allergic to some parts of academia which whizzo mentions in his post, specifically unrepentant specialization/pretentious devotion to a particular discipline. I feel that the New School is a much more open academic environment that involves (at least) significant cooperation between the political science and philsoophy departments. Of course, this has its downside but I believe in the end I'd rather have to deal with a less rigorous but well intentioned chort. John Dewey said that academia has become proportionately less influential as it has become more independent, and I think that is now becoming true for disciplines within academia as well--at least in regard to the humanities. On this last point at least I agree whole heartedly with the mission of the MAPH program. It is an unfortuante fact however that anything even whispering interdisciplinary is reinterpreted by academic committees as meaning 'not serious'. Sorry for going on so long about htis; obvious I ahve been doing some thinking since the rejections started rolling in. ;X

The pressure sounds intense. There's no way I'm paying for the privelege of being stressed out trying to compose a brilliant thesis in my first year, just so I can have a shot at a phd program the next year. Too many italics in that scenario. The faculty in my discipline at Chicago are brilliant, certainly, but I don't have that kind of money or time to spend proving to others that I'm capable. Please god let my wait list come through. Otherwise I'm going to the New School or trying again next year.

Too bad you can't share the department. But I'm no longer considering the program. It definitely sounds to me like you got especially unlucky. If you're still interested in the PhD You may want to consider just taking a regular paying job for a year while you prepare applications again--for a lot more programs. I also received a 'verbal guarantee' that didn't pan out. I wonder if that happens often in academics... Right now I'm considering whether to take partial funding at the New School or try again next year. Luckily I really enjoy my day job.

Brutal. What discipline? Where did you apply? Seems like a degree efrom Chicago should have gotten you some attention. Especially if your grades were good. Did you apply during your year in the program? I have heard that if you wait it's best because you have more grades, a thesis, and better relationships with your profs...

In that case, chances are very good. Chances are not good if you're # 24 and all 12 have to decline.

I'm no expert, but I think if you want to teach philosophy your end goal should absolutely be a phil phd. That said, Chicago is a great school and many philosophy programs would probably look favorably on your application even coming from a divinity ma program as long as you did substantial coursework in philosophy.

I just heard I'm in here, but I've heard nothing but bad things about this department so far (and only mediocre things from my professors)--plus I haven't received the all important notification of funding as of yet. Anybody have anything (hopefully good) to say about this program?

Yep, sometimes they actually tell you your rank on the list, or in the overall applicant pool. As in my case.

It's more than pretty random. I have a friend who was accepted first round into Northwestern's pol sci department with GREs in the 1200s and 3.8 GPA. If a faculty member reads your statement/LORS/and sample and decides they want you as a student you get in. If not, then you might as well be dust in the wind. Somebody over at whogotin had a similar experience last year and just resolved to get in the next year. So he took the year off, spent 3 months writing the best sample he could and personalized statements, and applied to 22 schools. I think as of now he's gotten into 5. Gotta decide if it's worth it to you.

very sad.

There is no real America. Even limiting my point to strictly geography, there are at least 5 Americas, every one nearly completely different from every other one except for McDonalds and English. And the English varies. Addendum: I recommend you chose your America wisely. Personally I believe there is something of value in every single one, but depending on your personality/value system there are a lot of things to dislike.

I wouldn't call myself knowledgable about the city since I've never been there...but I do know that it's only 45 minutes from Boston and a few hours from NYC so even if it is small, weekend escapes are very feasible.

Yeah and a bedbug problem so large the city has a funded initiative to fight it. From the west coast? Think bedbugs exist only in fairy tales meant to frighten children? Think again. You will when you get infested.

I just got my email from one of the directors--I'm really surprised they're sending these out to all their admittees, as it contained personalized information about my history, interests, statement, and other prospective schools. Of course, that would explain the long gap between the notice and the email. Anyway, I'm also surprised that they're willing to fly me out. All in all, I feel flattered and tempted, and that makes me damn suspicious. Still no way I'm going without some sort of funding (and I'm still waiting to here from the committee on social thought), but I'll probably take them up on their offer to fund a trip, just to meet some faculty and get some advice in case I end up reapplying next year.

Cambridge is a nice neighborhood (/city), and crime in boston is pretty low everywhere except the inevitable poverty-stricken virtual ghettos of Roxbury and Dorcester. As for expenses on the other hand, Boston recently (this year) surpassed New York as the most expensive city in the US (I can't source that, but I'm 90% sure of it). Rent for a large 1bdrm with "problems" is about 1200/mo. I can only compare that to Seattle, where 1200 would buy you a beautiful and huge 1bdrm. Cambridge has the best hangouts (try Charlie's Kitchen--mmm lobster rolls) and you can take the subway past harvard, mit, and straight to downtown. In general Boston mass tran SUCKS, but the red line is ok compared to the green line, which services areas west of boston. Basically, if I decide to live in Boston another year, it's going to be in cambridge. Hope that helps. Feel free to pm me if you have other specific questions. Oh and one other thing about renting, I have heard that there are so many colleges in the area that prices spike hugely during the late summer. So you might want to consider coming in early summer if possible to try and snag a lease on the cheap.

Top choice is probably Northwestern, but at this point I really don't give a good god damn where I get in. Looks like I may be doing this again next year though...

That's certainly a fairer analysis, but I still disagree. I am in fact aware of the prestigious faculty that have been a part of the Committee--I first heard about it while researching Arendt's career 3 years ago--but I don't think that contributes to a program's current status. Consider philosophy at penn state. And while 6% is still competitive compared to lower tier schools, among the many top schools to which people on this board are applying it is hardly unusual. This is all mitigated by the fact that I do consider the program to be exclusive and also somewhat eccentric, and I'm not surprised to hear that more students get stuck there. Since you seem to be familiar with it, perhaps you could helpfully shed some light on whatever you know and how you know it...I'm sure I won't get in, but if I do I don't want to get myself into anything "infamous." A large part of the reason I chose it was the opportunity to get a joint degree.

I don't think it's even valid. I can't speak for infamy, but 60 years does not qualify as old in the university system, even in the states. And while I'm sure it's competetive, it can't be as difficult to get into as the phil department with its 3% acceptance rate. Their web site indicates they admit 6-7%, And as recently as a few years ago that was more like 10-11%. Why should it be any more difficult to finish than any other ph.d. program, aside from the fact that students with interdisciplinary interests are naturally going to have a harder time settling on a manageable thesis topic?

What are your top choices phronesis? Waiting to hear from BC I bet?

I did my undergrad in Seattle, but I spent some time in Portland and found it very similar. Very good restaurants and downtown culture, although a distinctly 'un-urban' urban environment. Excellent music scene and beautiful green coastal countryside. Pretty good mass transit too for a small city.