From BA straight to PhD? What are the chances?

[nurye27]

Hey guys, I am currently applying to a PhD program without any prior undergrad education. Now that I have submitted my applications, I wonder how likely it is for someone like me with only a BA to be admitted to a PhD program. Since most PhD programs offer the possibility to obtain an MA on the road anyway, I just didn't think it was necessary to enroll at an MA only program first. Besides, due to my military service, I thought I would be running out of time since I want to start earning money before I'm 40.

Anyway, do you know what percentage of people admitted to PhD programs already have MAs? What about you? Are you applying to a PhD program with or without a graduate degree? Please specify your field.

BTW, I am applying to two different fields, Philosophy and Anthropology.

[bgk]

Hi there,

I think it depends on the field. If you have a BA in a related area, I think you'll find you're actually taking the standard route into a PhD. If you had say, a BA/BS in Mathematics and wanted to do a PhD in History, then maybe you'd first consider an MA in History and then a PhD.

I know many engineering people who go straight from BS to PhD and pick up their MS during the PhD program.

Having said all that, I don't think it hurts to have an MA/MS. Simply because you have the chance to get stronger LORs, write some papers and be better prepared.

Hope that helps a bit?

[rising_star]

Anthropology MAs aren't that common to be earned as standalone degrees. So I think you should be fine with your applications there. Try not to worry too much about it now since your applications are already in.

[nurye27]

Thanks, guys. Good information and good advice!

[bgk]

Thanks, guys. Good information and good advice!

No problem. Good luck with your apps. Keep us informed :-)

[polisciapp]

Why are you applying to two totally unrelated fields? What are your academic interests. For philosophy programs, you need to have a solid background in philosophy to get into a top program.

[nurye27]

Why are you applying to two totally unrelated fields? What are your academic interests. For philosophy programs, you need to have a solid background in philosophy to get into a top program.

Call it an inner struggle.

I do have a BA in philosophy, though.

The problem with me is that although I would like to conduct graduate studies in anthropology, which I think does present opportunities to apply philosophical thinking, I still have this lingering attachment to philosophy which I cannot shed off easily.

So I am applying to both fields, and leaving the rest up to fate. Of course, I had to write two different SOPs and writing samples, but, hey, it really felt good to study again after more than 3 years in the military.

But to answer your question, my philosophical and anthropological interests do overlap:

In anthropology, I am concerned with racism, cultural conflicts, and the problem of the representation of the other,

and in philosophy, my focus is the philosophy of the other, and how an ethical relationship with the other is possible.

I hope this doesn't sound too far-fetched.

[NO8DO]

Your plan sounds pretty logical to me.

I'm doing something similar what with applying to two different fields. Though I applied mostly to Romance Language Departments (Spanish & French), I also applied to one Art History Department because in reality my BA, Double Major in History & Spanish w/ a minor in French, is quite dualistic. My take then on Art History has a bit of a literary flair to it - and similarly my literary analysis never ignores important historical context. Purists might cringe at the idea haha but I find that a lot of programs within the humanities complement each other. I think I'm quite sure that I want to go into the Romance Languages for an MA, and then later pursue the PhD in History/Medieval Studies, but in the back of my mind part of me is still vastly interested in doing the MA in Art History also. I suppose it could go either way depending on where I get accepted.

Though I don't know squat - for the most part haha - about Philosophy, I think your reasoning in applying to two completely different fields isn't entirely bogus - though I will say that writing two severely different SoPs wasn't one of the highlights of the application process.

[polisciapp]

Yes, I guess that makes sense. Nevertheless, studying one over the other will be completely different. Philosophical readings, as you know, are usually not, well, anthropological. Either way, best of luck to you in your endeavors. Let us know how the application cycle goes for you.

[Minnesotan]

Sorry for the tangent, but I love your "status bar," polisci!

We should all have one like that.

[polisciapp]

Sorry for the tangent, but I love your "status bar," polisci!

We should all have one like that.

Haha. Thanks. Hopefully the first line will have more schools listed than the second!

[Minnesotan]

Good luck with that.

I think this board would cease to exist if everyone got more acceptances than rejections. Maybe we can fix it so only Grad Cafe regulars get accepted. Everyone else obviously doesn't want it badly enough, if they aren't stressing so much that they check these forums obsessively!