$$ MA vs. $ PhD

[monkeyface]

I'm in need of some objective advice as I choose between my two best offers. Both are excellent fits, both are offering me TAships, but one is MA (they rejected me for the PhD) and the other PhD. Thing is, the MA school is offering me $9,000/yr more, is in an ideal location for me, and is a higher ranked program (we're talking top-50 vs. top-70 here, nothing too fancy). I was all set to go to the PhD school until this MA offer came in the mail and was a little too sweet to ignore. I do want a PhD and I do want it yesterday, but the MA school does have a good track record of placing students in top PhD programs. What are you guys' initial reactions?

[earlymodernist]

I'm in need of some objective advice as I choose between my two best offers. Both are excellent fits, both are offering me TAships, but one is MA (they rejected me for the PhD) and the other PhD. Thing is, the MA school is offering me $9,000/yr more, is in an ideal location for me, and is a higher ranked program (we're talking top-50 vs. top-70 here, nothing too fancy). I was all set to go to the PhD school until this MA offer came in the mail and was a little too sweet to ignore. I do want a PhD and I do want it yesterday, but the MA school does have a good track record of placing students in top PhD programs. What are you guys' initial reactions?

This may not be the best advice, but I would say go for the MA. It is so rare that MA programs are willing to offer you money (especially 9k more than a PhD program!). So if I were you, I would take the offer. It's in the right location, the money is right, it's a more highly ranked program, it really does sound like a perfect fit for you. While having the security of a PhD program would certainly be a nice thing to have, I think taking a chance here will be more worthwile for your future interests. You could apply to that particular school's PhD program or to more highly ranked programs after your MA is complete.

Do what you think is best for you. Good luck!

[ChibaCityBlues]

I'm in need of some objective advice as I choose between my two best offers. Both are excellent fits, both are offering me TAships, but one is MA (they rejected me for the PhD) and the other PhD. Thing is, the MA school is offering me $9,000/yr more, is in an ideal location for me, and is a higher ranked program (we're talking top-50 vs. top-70 here, nothing too fancy). I was all set to go to the PhD school until this MA offer came in the mail and was a little too sweet to ignore. I do want a PhD and I do want it yesterday, but the MA school does have a good track record of placing students in top PhD programs. What are you guys' initial reactions?

Do the MA, kick ass, apply again and get into a top 20 program.

[TMP]

Since you already got into a PhD program, no question about it that you should be able to get in a few next time around. Apparently you're qualified, but NOT that qualified enough for more selective schools.

Before you truly jump in the MA, please write down your specific goals of what you'd like to get out of the MA. You have only a short amount of time to accomplish them before you decide to re-apply for PhD. Don't be vague like "Write a thesis" or "Take a few courses in U.S. history." Be specific such as "Take a seminar with Prof X because he is a Big Deal" and "Learn Italian." Writing specific goals will help you stay on track for a PhD program... otherwise you might just become one of those aimless MA students in the eyes of professors. If you have them in hand, the list can be great to look at when you're feeling crappy and wondering why you're a MA program, not that PhD program that you turned down. It's been so helpful for me as I went through my MA program (and keeping in perspective at the moment that this MA program was NOT a waste of time or money!). Post it somewhere where you can find it easily.

The decision is yours. I would also look at the job placement for the PhD program. But, geez, $9,000 more... will you have better quality of life though?

[amercanist]

Since you already got into a PhD program, no question about it that you should be able to get in a few next time around. Apparently you're qualified, but NOT that qualified enough for more selective schools.

Before you truly jump in the MA, please write down your specific goals of what you'd like to get out of the MA. You have only a short amount of time to accomplish them before you decide to re-apply for PhD. Don't be vague like "Write a thesis" or "Take a few courses in U.S. history." Be specific such as "Take a seminar with Prof X because he is a Big Deal" and "Learn Italian." Writing specific goals will help you stay on track for a PhD program... otherwise you might just become one of those aimless MA students in the eyes of professors. If you have them in hand, the list can be great to look at when you're feeling crappy and wondering why you're a MA program, not that PhD program that you turned down. It's been so helpful for me as I went through my MA program (and keeping in perspective at the moment that this MA program was NOT a waste of time or money!). Post it somewhere where you can find it easily.

The decision is yours. I would also look at the job placement for the PhD program. But, geez, $9,000 more... will you have better quality of life though?

I think ticklemepink gives sound advice. I also think you have to consider not just the program but your potential PhD advisor. When applying to graduate school, one of my mentors took me aside and gave me some real trenchant advice:

1) Academics is a business - meaning think strategically about the long term, rather than short term gains. As the previous poster suggested, consider what your MA will do for your career - will it enhance it, will it make you a more lucrative potential PhD candidate?

2) The program you attend is not necessarily as important (for future job placement) as who your advisor will be. So, if your potential advisor at your accepted PhD institution is a big name in her/his field, I'd go in a heartbeat.

But, then, you probably already know all of this but I thought I'd give my .02. Good luck!

[StrangeLight]

since we're talking about top 50 vs top 70, the reputation of your potential advisor at each school becomes important. the name alone won't carry you, so you need your advisor (especially in the PhD program) to be a known, respected, and well-connected scholar. if the PhD advisor is a big shot, i'd consider it, otherwise i'd say you should definitely go into an MA and reapply for PhD programs later.

[monkeyface]

So glad I posted this, you guys have given me great perspectives and fantastic advice already. Thanks!! Both schools have big name profs in my field but I wasn't assigned to either of them as an advisee. I definitely have app weaknesses that the MA could help me overcome (sub-3.0 GPA, nothing but W's for foreign language), and since I was accepted to a top-30 program this round (no funding), it does give me hope for better results next time w/solid MA performance. The cost of living at the MA school is less than the PhD one, and I wouldn't have to move 3,000 miles and would be near family. Yep, the MA program is in the lead right now...crazy!

[C-Money]

I'll echo the comments above--do the M.A. and then reapply to PhD programs. It sounds like a slam dunk to me.

[Noodles]

The overall fit and funding of the M.A. program are superior to that of the Ph.D program. The time spent in a M.A. program - as you have already highlight - will enable you to improve your profile and more than likely help you to focus your studies. You definitely seem to be an ideal candidate for a master's program and the fit, funding, and potential for improved prospects over the long-term lead me to recommend you accept the offer of admission at the master's program. Good luck!

[Katzenmusik]

This advice is helpful to me as well, as I am in the same exact situation!!

I did not study history as an undergrad, so I applied mostly to MAs. To my own surprise, I was accepted to a PhD program, where I am now under serious consideration for a fellowship. In addition, I was accepted to a funded MA. Wow!

Both of the programs I'm considering are of equal rank and reputation--not elite or top 30 (for what the rankings are worth), but reputable and respected, with great faculty in my field.

As of right now, I think I'm going to do the MA, see if this history track is really for me and better define my own interests, then do another round of PhD applications down the line. The MA will open some doors and really help me figure out where I want to go with this. Meanwhile the PhD is a huge commitment that I'm not 100% sure I'm ready to undertake, being completely new to the history field.