simulant
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Posts posted by simulant
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One thing that I believe hasn't been mentioned is getting credit for the Master's Degree in a PhD program at a different university. Most won't accept all of your Master's credits when you "transfer" to a PhD program, even if you got your MA from a more prestigious university than the one you're attending for your PhD (I found out the hard way). So, on top of wasting money, you're potentially wasting two years of your life in courses that may only partially "count" at your next school (assuming you go elsewhere - though if you stayed at one of those universities for the PhD, credits shouldn't be a problem).
That said, if money and time are no object, Oxford, hands down. I've lived in Boston and Oxford, and Oxford wins, whether you're a student or a professional living there. Cost of living is similar.
Also just wanted to add (FWIW) that Ive noticed there are several persons in the UK who do a MSc or MA (one year) and then the Oxbridge MPhil/PhD.
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Hi Everyone!
I've been out of school for a while and am planning on applying to PhD programs next year. I'm interested in medical anthropology, but I didn't do any work in this area as an undergrad. I'm thinking of undertaking an independent month-long research project to produce a better sample, but I was wondering how admissions committees would view this. Would doing something like this work in my favor or just be seen as bizarre?
Thanks!
I'm no expert and come from a social anthro background, but I'll provide my opinion FWIW. I guess it depends on the program. For a decent PhD program, I would suppose that if you don't have a solid grounding in medical anthro research/lit/theory and don't have a 'research match' - then I'm guessing chances are slim.
I know that one person in my Masters program was admitted (with funding) from a non-anthro background, but she had a solid research idea/proposal, and knew all the hot/relevant theory for her 'worthwhile and creative' research topic. In certain cases, you might be better off doing a Masters first ...
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Mooglesm, I'm fairly sure they have made their decisions. I Contacted the Department head, and was given my rejection in late March. They had twice the usual number of applicants. They offered me a spot on the Archaeology side of the department, but I'm committed to bioanth.. Who knows though you might be in line for a spot if someone backs out at the last minute, so they are holding off. Good luck.
I decided to accept my offer from Durham, so I'm off to the UK this fall.
I looked at Durham as well. Is this for MA or PhD?
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With regards to what Chuck said, at Oxford funding for master's degree is extremely scarce. So the norm is rather to be unfunded...Meaning that those who get the Clarendon scholarship for example are probably considered superstars, rather than others being looked upon for not being able to get funding, since being unfunded seems to be a norm there.
Yep, that's correct for Oxbridge.
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I would caution almost anyone against enrolling in a completely unfunded master's program, no matter how "prestigious" the program or university.
$40,000 or $60,000 is a TON of money to be paying for a master's in socioloy. Even in the best case scenario (the program is your springboard to a top PhD program and a good chance at a tenure-track professorial job many years down the line), you're still looking at typical starting salaries for social science faculty, which are not nearly enough to live comfortably on while servicing that kind of debt. Unless you are independently wealthy, if you want to go into academia this is almost certainly a bad idea. This level of debt will require you to make monthly payments of many hundreds of dollars. It will literally cripple your lifestyle for many years, perhaps many decades, to come.
At the very least, ask the program to put you in touch with some recent graduates. Ask them how much debt they took on, and if they felt it was worth it.
I can sympathize with the desire to start a program as soon as possible. It can be tempting to take one of the offers you have now, but my advise is to strengthen your application in other ways and apply again next year. BC and Oxford both have good reputations in sociology, which is probably why they are sometimes able to get away with enrolling master's students who pay the full sticker price. Most of these students come from wealthy families who can afford this level of tuition. The money you pay is going (albeit indirectly) to finance the tuition of PhD students. I have heard unfunded master's students lament that they are thought less of in the departmental hierarchy. Think about if this is a position you want to be in academically.
There are plenty of other programs that do provide some level of funding to master's students. Many of these programs are just as good as BC and Oxford, some just a little bit less prestigious. If you're using the masters as a launching pad to the PhD, there are literally hundreds of programs out there that will provide you with solid grounding for a strong PhD application. Ultimately, where you got your master's won't matter nearly as much as where you get your PhD.
Just one man's opinion.
Really? I understand that the rhetoric has been heavily 'dont-go-if-no-funding' in terms of postgraduate education, and rightly so. Although I know of several excellent Masters degrees programs in the UK that are half the cost (or more) of those in the US, and for a person who really wants (for whatever reason) to enroll in a quality Masters program although can not get into or afford a 'top-notch' university, several Masters programs in the UK offer very good value. The situation is a bit different in the UK. Just wanted to add that FWIW ...
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Another Cambridge MPhil here ...
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Hello, I'll likely be accepting a MPhil/Res offer from Oxford or Cambridge and intend to pursue a PhD as well. I was wondering if anyone has experience with either of these programs, and could provide any further information (please feel free to PM me)? I have a few questions, and it might be best to discuss via PM. Thanks!
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Are you referring to "Emory" or "Brown" regarding the Skype interview?
Anthropology of Education
in Anthropology Forum
Posted · Edited by simulant
FWIW, I know that Brunel University in the UK offers an MSc in Anthropology of Childhood and Education (or something along those lines), and has profs and a research center focused on this topic ...