mallow

I was accepted to a funded PhD in Communications at Columbia. I also got into (very recently) an MSc in the History of International Relations (unfunded - $25k) at LSE. Two people whose opinions I trust have told me to turn down the Columbia offer in favor of furthering my professional experience as a writer and educator (I teach at the college level now and have many journalistic publications). One of these people completed his doctorate at Columbia (in another department) and is a very well known journalist and knows the place and field well. He advises me to stick with international relations and continue my journalism. I am freaking out a bit right now. I know I don't have to listen to this advice, but it's coming from very good sources. Any thoughts/advice welcome.

I guess if you really love your current job, then it's trickier. Is there any way to take a leave from the job or work for the company in another capacity? What do you mean by turning down scholarships closing doors? Are you worried you won't be offered another in the future?

Go to Europe. Rare opportunity with a full scholarship. I did one of my grad degrees in Europe and learned so much just by being there and having classmates from all over the world.

I am interested in hearing from anyone familiar with EGS or EGS alums. I was recently admitted to their PhD in Communications and would love to hear from anyone who knows about the program. I was admitted to a PhD in Communications at another, more traditional university. I accepted the first offer but am considering EGS now. Thanks.

Can you defer Oxford for a year? Also, if the Oxford program is structured so that you get the type of job that you've just been offered, it seems a bit questionable as to why you'd decide to do the degree rather than take the job. I'm assuming the job is nowhere near Oxford (since you mentioned the degree is part-time, you conceivably could take the job and go to Oxford).

Feeling pretty unsure but waiting some time to let the whole thing sink in. I think I may have made the decision for the wrong reasons, though - or partially. What happens if you change your mind? I guess just inform the director asap and know that someone will be happy to get off the wait-list.

Just saw this, sorry. I was in CRC and you can send me an email if you're still interested.

Thanks Eigen. I will check.

This university does not allow research units to count for courses as far as I understand it. The scholarship letter states: "You must maintain full-time status (at least 12 credits per semester) and make satisfactory academic progress toward your degree to remain eligible for a stipend." I checked with the admissions counselor when I got the letter and was told I had to be registered as a full-time student to get the stipend.

I really appreciate this thread and have a question. I was made an offer in March for a PhD and was told over the phone that I would have three years of funding. When I got the official letter (on April 12) I saw that the stipend is for 3 years (with tuition remission) but is only valid when the student is enrolled full-time. Since I have prior graduate degrees, I only have two years of coursework so only two years of stipend and no guaranteed funding after that. I have a short extension on the April 15th deadline and am wondering if I should try to negotiate this? Two years of funding makes me nervous, since people take five years on average to finish.

Yes, I totally understand where you're coming from and have asked myself the same question. The MS is in International Affairs and the PhD in Communications. When I originally applied to the MS program, I was really feeling as though I wanted to have a specialization to add to my work as a journalist (i.e. have a specialization in International Affairs). Now that I weigh 1 year to finish the MS vs. 5-6 years to finish the PhD at the program I was accepted to (which provides 2 years of funding only), I am beginning to question the PhD offer. The MS would take a year and cost $7,000 total b/c I have a scholarship. Unless I found outside funding, I would be taking two years of coursework with funding/stipend for the PhD and then would not have funding going forward to complete the dissertation.

I agree with all the comments here. I went to NYU for journalism (with tuition remission + stipend) and while it's a great school, it's very expensive and living in NYC has gotten even more expensive since I completed the program. I would not have attended NYU w/out the funding. I know in my program of at least one person who left the program b/c their funding stopped and it's just too expensive w/out any aid at all. Journalism - as I'm sure you know - isn't in the best shape right now, so it would be better to come out of a program debt-free since the job market is very tight.

I have done a lot of research into the program I've been accepted into and I still feel deferral would be my best option. I am wondering if I should explain my case to the program director and see what the reaction is. The university's official policy makes the applicant re-apply.

Thanks so much for your thoughtful response. I have only taken 2 courses in the MS program so far. They accepted some of my previous credits from other degrees, so I have 8 classes left. There is no thesis required. The PhD program requires 4 classes per semester each semester during the first year. If I went part-time to do the MS as well, it would be too much at 6 classes per semester. I could do independent study as a class, which might make it doable for 1 semester at least. Talking to my supervisor is a good idea but I don't really have one at the MS program. I talked to one professor at the MS program who told me to postpone the PhD until fall 2013. He advised me to do a PhD in the UK instead b/c it is shorter. I did apply to programs in the UK (these are the places I'm still waiting on answers from). I didn't say anything to the PhD program where I've been accepted about the MS program. Thanks again for your advice!

Hello everyone, I've received some really helpful responses to my previous postings and would so appreciate some feedback on the following situation: I was admitted to a top university for a PhD in Communications (the university is top; the program is not one of the highest ranked nationally). They offer three years of funding. They won't allow me to defer the admission; I would need to re-apply. I've been taking some courses in International Affairs at a school that I like where I have an 80% scholarship to do an Master of Science (it would take me another year to finish this degree). I also applied to some other PhD programs that I have yet to hear from (two abroad and one in the US). The first school I was accepted to has the usual April 15th deadline. I'm trying to figure out a couple of things to start with: - Whether to ask the place I was admitted for an extension on the decision so I can find out from the others I applied to - Whether it makes sense to leave the MS program to do the PhD. I already have two Master's degrees, and the MS would be a career-changing degree. Some basic info: the two schools (MS and PhD) are in a consortium, so theoretically I could take classes at the school I'm at now if in the PhD program. I'm 40 years old, with extensive professional experience in college-level teaching and journalism. Thanks!