Do I go with the school I like better or the program?

[gr4vity]

I want to go on for a PhD in either social psych or sociology. My BA will be in psychology with a minor in women's and gender studies. I got accepted into Simmons' MA in Gender/Cultural Studies, and Brandeis' dual MA in Sociology and Women's and Gender Studies.

If I go to Brandeis, I will be much more prepared in sociology should I decide to go on for a sociology PhD, which is what I'm leaning more towards. Yet, Simmons was my first choice all along and I think I will love the school and the environment much more. Brandeis would end up being more expensive even though they gave me more aid.

I feel like program-wise I should go with Brandeis, but I really don't want to pass up the chance to be a part of Simmons. Every time I have spoken to the program director or the admissions officer, they told me they loved my application and they really hope I choose Simmons. I asked for more aid and they are currently working on that as well.

Is it dumb not to go with a Sociology MA if I want a Sociology PhD, just because I think I'd love Simmons? I spoke to the program director at Simmons and she said people go on to get PhDs in many different disciplines after earning that Masters. There are also sociology classes as part of the GCS masters at Simmons. It wouldn't not prepare me for sociology, since I want to study sociology of gender and this is basically a masters in gender, it just wouldn't prepare me as much as a dual MA in sociology/gender studies.

Help!

Edited March 17, 2010 by gr4vity

[rogue]

I was accepted to several sociology Ph.D. programs, despite having only taken one undergraduate sociology course ever (and my master's was an MBA). Go to the program that will make you happiest and where the funding situation is best; if you do well there, you should be a successful applicant to Ph.D. programs later.

[wcehfa]

Well, I happen to know people that have done the GCS program and have gone on to sociology doctoral programs. I myself am waiting to hear back from a communication & rhetoric program and have been accepted to an African American studies program after finishing up the GCS program at Simmons. I would suggest that since you know what kind of program you want to do, you tailor your experience at Simmons accordingly. Seek out sociology professors as your mentors (like prof. Puri, who directed the GCS program for the first year I was there) and apply to TA for a sociology class. Basically, you will want to sell yourself to doctoral programs as someone who has both pursued sociology and has a little something extra to offer and I don't think that can hurt, it may very well help you stand out from straight up sociology B.A.s and M.A.s Good luck!