missrrg

The MA program at Boston University is technically a terminal one, with an option to internally reapply for the PhD program. They fund (full tuition with stipend) about half of the incoming MA class (approximately 7 out of 14).

Okay, so I am going to Boston University in the fall for the MA in English. I've been told by the department that almost all of the internal applicant to continue from MA to PhD are accepted. But, barring it being absolutely awesome, I don't think I want to get my PhD at BU. This means I'm probably going to start reapplying in the fall for other PhD programs. My questions are several: Will having an MA from BU make any measurable difference (positive or negative) on my application for PhD programs? For my PhD apps, should I rely on the same (undergrad) recommenders that I used for my MA app or try to get new ones from the BU program, despite the fact that I'll only have been at BU a few months by the time I need the reccs? Does it look flaky to start a program at one place and then transfer? Does anyone have a real idea of how much impact getting published can have on your admissions chances? How about getting in touch with professors at your dream schools...and how does one go about that? Is it a ridiculous dream to think I can reapply whilst in the midst of what promises to be a fairly intense 1-year MA? I don't think I can handle another gap year. Please, guys, help me out here. I think I was more than a little naive about the whole application process the first time around--and lucky to get into any program, really--but I'd like to do things correctly the next time around. I've asked all these questions of my undergrad advisor, as well, but I figure the advice of a horde of people who have just been through this is pretty valuable. So, advise me! P.S. Anyone else out there going to BU in the fall? Say hullo!