"Should I attend the MA program at Columbia?"

[sociology2018app]

As a former student who attended the program a few years ago, the short answer is "probably not."

If you're interested in getting into a PhD program in sociology, an MA degree can allow you to build connections and conduct more research so you can build a stronger academic profile. However, you would be better off going to a program that provides more financial aid, preferably a full ride. The Columbia MA program generally does not offer any financial aid to those admitted. A few students get some financial assistance, but still not nearly enough to cover the cost of tuition+living expenses of about $75,000.

Of course, in academia rankings do matter, so you may feel tempted to attend the MA program at a prestigious university over, say, Florida State University. The problem is that for the vast majority of the students that attend the Columbia MA sociology program, the amount of money they pay does not come even close to the returns obtained from graduating. Most students either end up in top 30-50 sociology PhD programs (which they could have gotten into with a fully funded, even if lower ranked, MA program), or they drop out of the field entirely and get a job that did not require them to spend so much money on an MA degree. If prestige of the MA program is a big concern to you, you should take a look at the Chicago MAPSS program, which offers more money (up to full tuition) and also places students better after they graduate.

Yes, there are a handful of students from the Columbia MA program who go on to get offers from Top 20 sociology PhD programs. But you should know that these students are a very small minority. It would be a bad idea to presume you would be one of the exceptions. This is especially the case if you don't already have a strong academic profile. If you think the Ivy League name is going to override your low GRE scores and get you into Wisconsin or Stanford PhD, think again. It's not going to happen.

What are some issues with the Columbia MA program? They include (but are not limited to): 1. The faculty (the tenure-track/tenured ones) does not want to waste time with the MA students. There are exceptions, obviously, but for the most part they want to focus on their own research and advise their PhD students. So at the end of the 1-year program, many MA students can't even get a strong letter of recommendation from even one faculty from the program. 2. Lack of time. One year isn't enough time to come up with a research proposal, carry out the research, and write up an MA thesis. Most people end up with MA theses that aren't particularly well written. (Note that many full funded MA sociology programs are two years, not one, so it gives you more time to write a stronger, polished thesis.) 3. The program - including the MA coordinator - does not care about what happens to you. It's important to keep this in perspective: programs like this doesn't exist for the purpose of placing students into top PhD programs or landing them great nonacademic jobs. Instead, it exists to collect your tuition money. In return, it is willing to give you access to resources which you can take potentially take advantage of. That is the hard truth, and you certainly should not expect any hand-holding or detailed directions about how to maximize your returns if you were to attend the program.

All in all, the MA sociology program at Columbia is likely not worth it. I cannot generalize this to everyone (especially if you come from a wealthy family and the cost is no issue at all), and there is no doubt that for some people, the program will be well worth it. But I will say that if you do choose to attend, you should go into it fully aware that there is a very good chance you will eventually come to regret it.

Edited February 17, 2018 by sociology2018app

[Socioeconnut]

I’m currently up against a wall after receiving my last PhD rejection and have an admit to the Columbia MA. My poi there is very supportive and willing to work with me towards getting my first MA thesis published, but I’m struggling to decide if I should invest the money towards the ivy name or pass it up and apply to the MS in QSSS at CUNY. There is no guarantee I will get into the masters program at CUNY and worst case scenario, I pass up Columbia and don’t get into the CUNY MS. In the event that I did get into the CUNY masters, does anyone know if they have a good placement record into PhD programs? Is the difference between Columbia and CUNY one that adcomms give weight to? Anyone have experience with either program or similar situation? 

[X.G]

If you want to get training in quantitative methods, Columbia MA is not the best place to be. Their program is heavily qualitative orientated. In fact, they suggested on their website that students who want quantitative training should go for their QMSS program http://qmss.columbia.edu/. 

Edited March 6, 2018 by X.G

[Socioeconnut]

11 hours ago, X.G said:

If you want to get training in quantitative methods, Columbia MA is not the best place to be. Their program is heavily qualitative orientated. In fact, they suggested on their website that students who want quantitative training should go for their QMSS program http://qmss.columbia.edu/. 

Thank you! I already have an MA that is very qual heavy so the director and poi told me they would tailor my curriculum to the courses that would best serve my research, which will be a mix of both qual and quant. I'm admitted to the program already so I don't want to wait another year to apply separately to QMSS. I'd either apply to QSSS at CUNY or take up Columbia on this "curated curriculum" situation.