namul

My personal experience with the Columbia MA program. I applied to 7 PhD programs (political theory) last year: Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, and others, and I was rejected by all seven. On my application to Columbia, I asked them to consider me for the MA, and I was accepted. I decided to do the MA at Columbia despite the cost ($40K total tuition for the one-year MA) because I felt that I had no other way of getting into a top-notch PhD program. My plan was to use the one year to get great recommendations from theory faculty and deepen my knowledge of the field in order to improve my application. I ended up making a good impression with two theory faculty there through my written work, and they were more than willing to write me recommendations for this year. I reapplied to four top-notch schools: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia. Last week, I was notified by those two professors that they had decided to admit me into the PhD program with fellowship. I'm still waiting to hear from the other three schools. I know other PhD students at Columbia have followed a track similar to mine. The MA program is a great chance to prove your mettle with faculty and beef up your application. The great thing about it is that it only takes one year (I graduate this May). Hope that helps.

I was also rejected today. I was told two weeks ago that I was on the waitlist. I think you were also on that list, bugbear.

Are they finished with the admitted students visits?

Where do you get that impression from? Is there a reason that the LOR should play a bigger role in theory?

Great point. I never thought of it that way.

Thanks for the thoughtful response. I really appreciate all of the feedback on this thread. Definitely true about the political theory job market. Sometimes I wish I was an IR or political economy guy, but it's just not for me. My undergrad adviser also gave me a look of pity when I told him I wanted to go into theory and reminded me about my chances of landing a decent academic job. That's why I only applied to top 20 schools instead of Rutgers (which is right in my backyard). I've heard others mention MAPPS, but I will have to look into it since you say they offer some funding. It may be worth dragging my wife out to the Midwest if they accept me with funding.

Those are some really good points that you bring up about waiting until I complete a full year of the MA program. I guess I could have more patience instead of trying to push everything through this year. Also, I had not thought about possible limits on re-applications. I think that would be the key factor for me in deciding whether or not to apply for the next cycle. I know that my application may not be much stronger by this December, but my reasoning was: "I have nothing to lose, right?" Do you know if that is widespread among top 10 programs? I did read something about that on Columbia's website, but I don't think I saw anything about limits when I was researching programs like Princeton and Harvard.

I was the one who got waitlisted yesterday. I called two days ago, and they wouldn't tell me anything, just: "wait until the end of this month." Then yesterday I finally got a response from the GA that I e-mailed two weeks ago, saying that I am on the waitlist. No other news from anyone here?

Thank you everyone for your feedback. Yeah, lots of things to consider there.... BTW, since I last posted, I have been waitlisted by UCLA, so there is a slight ray of hope for a PhD program this Fall. Here are some other considerations: NYU is definitely expensive, but I currently live with my parents in New Jersey, a 45-minute bus ride from NYU. My only expenses for the next year would be tuition. Sorry, Mom and Dad, but I will be eating out of your fridge. My wife is also working full-time and willing to support me until I get into a PhD program (isn't she great?). I looked into the nearby state school programs, but they either don't have a stand-alone MA, or they don't have political theory. (Rutgers - Newark would have been a good choice, but they only do things like urban policy and American politics.) The only feasible options for MA programs seem to be NYU, Columbia, and New School. I was thinking of taking three classes this Fall, just to get better grades and LOR, and reapplying in December. At least the admissions committee can see an updated transcript. If I do get in to a PhD program next March, then I don't have to finish my MA do I? If I still don't get in, then I guess I'll finish my MA and reapply again. I'm also waiting to hear back from the MA programs at Columbia and New School. I know that New School sometimes offers partial scholarships for MA students. If I do decide to go the Master's route, I will definitely apply for as many outside grants, scholarships, and fellowships as I can find, and NYU does match outside funding. Outside grants is another discussion, but any ideas on good ones to apply for?

RWBG: Any idea where you will be doing your Master's?

Did UCLA tell you anything about your status? Or did they just say you'll have to wait to get your letter?

Hey guys, This question is similar to a lot of others, but I wanted some more specific feedback for my situation. Quick summary of my stats: Boston College '09 - International Studies 3.75 GPA GRE: 800 V; 780 Q; 5.5 AW Seeking: PhD in Political Theory I was rejected from all my PhD programs and offered a consolation MA by NYU. I think most people would just wait until October and reapply, but there are several reasons that I believe I should do the one-year MA (despite the financial burdens): - I have limited coursework in political science and no previous courses in political theory. - My GPA for those poli sci classes is around 3.2 (overall GPA is 3.75). - I have a strong feeling that 2 out of my 3 recommendations were tepid at best. - I think my personal statement betrays a lack of research experience in political theory. By doing the MA at NYU, I think I can improve my chances of getting into a good (or any fully-funded) PhD program for next year. By busting my ass, getting A's in political theory classes, getting better recs, and getting help from my professors on my writing sample, I think I might have a chance of getting into a good program. Anyone here ever tried this before? (Graduates of NYU's MA program especially) Thanks in advance!!

I call the number every day, and no one ever picks up. Maybe I should leave a message? I e-mailed Joe Brown yesterday, still waiting for a response.

Just praying to get wait-listed. I'm 0 for 4 now, so UCLA is my only hope.

I saw someone post on the results page that Harvard told him/her that they would be finished reviewing applications at the end of this week.