UMN PhD vs. UChicago CIR

[weast]

Hello everyone,

I was hoping I could get some advice on weighing the two options I got this cycle. I was admitted to the University of Minnesota's PhD program, and also accepted to the University of Chicago's Committee on International Relations masters program. My interests are in political theory, comparative politics, and international relations (particularly human rights), but my research interests often cross other fields and methodologies, including area studies (South and East Asia), philosophy, cultural and media studies, and cultural anthropology. My ultimate intent with graduate education is to pursue an academic career, though I am of course cognizant of the precarity of the job market.

I am at a loss at how to make a decision between the two. Minnesota is a wonderful program, that fits with my research interests rather well, but I think that UChicago's CIR program would give me the training I need to design my eventual research more thoroughly. I am pretty young, so I became pretty cognizant this cycle about how little research experience I have, despite having done undergraduate research and writing a senior thesis. I have some knowledge about the structure and culture of Minnesota's program, but I have very little comparative information about UChicago's CIR program.

Funding is also a factor- Minnesota's offer is fully funded, but UChicago's offer is only half-funded.

In the end, I am interested in hearing your thoughts on what program would set me up to most effectively pursue the interdisciplinary research interests that I have. I'd be happy to provide more information about my specific research interests along with what I'm looking for in an academic program, if that would help. Thank you!

[Dwar]

I would strongly advise you to take the Minnesota acceptance. I have two reasons for saying this. 
 

the first one is that you should avoid debt at all costs. Academic careers do not pay enough to warrant the massive debt that a Chicago degree would bring. I’m not sure how much debt you have from undergrad but let me tell you that event 20k is crippling and will prevent you from doing a lot of things when you want to (house, car, vacation). Avoid it at all costs.

The second reason I’m advising Minnesota is that grad school admissions, especially PhD admissions, is an absolute shit show. There is zero guarantee that you would be able to get into a school of similar rank and prestige as Minnesota next time, much less a better program. Often times in grad admissions there are factors at play that applicants have no control over. Things that change from year to year. As a PhD is your ultimate goal I would strongly urge you to accept the offer you have now, instead of taking the huge gamble of trying again next time. 

[uchenyy]

Hi there! Perhaps we've already (virtually) met. I participated in Minnesota's virtual recruitment events this morning. I think Minnesota's program is excellent on many levels: placement, funding, courses, kind and interested faculty, etc. 

I think you should go to Minnesota. Worst case scenario, you can master out and apply somewhere else after your second year without any debt. 

Edited March 17, 2020 by uchenyy

[e2e4]

6 hours ago, weast said:

Hello everyone,

I was hoping I could get some advice on weighing the two options I got this cycle. I was admitted to the University of Minnesota's PhD program, and also accepted to the University of Chicago's Committee on International Relations masters program. My interests are in political theory, comparative politics, and international relations (particularly human rights), but my research interests often cross other fields and methodologies, including area studies (South and East Asia), philosophy, cultural and media studies, and cultural anthropology. My ultimate intent with graduate education is to pursue an academic career, though I am of course cognizant of the precarity of the job market.

I am at a loss at how to make a decision between the two. Minnesota is a wonderful program, that fits with my research interests rather well, but I think that UChicago's CIR program would give me the training I need to design my eventual research more thoroughly. I am pretty young, so I became pretty cognizant this cycle about how little research experience I have, despite having done undergraduate research and writing a senior thesis. I have some knowledge about the structure and culture of Minnesota's program, but I have very little comparative information about UChicago's CIR program.

Funding is also a factor- Minnesota's offer is fully funded, but UChicago's offer is only half-funded.

In the end, I am interested in hearing your thoughts on what program would set me up to most effectively pursue the interdisciplinary research interests that I have. I'd be happy to provide more information about my specific research interests along with what I'm looking for in an academic program, if that would help. Thank you!

Yo UofC alum here Go to Minnesota

don't take on debt. half-tuition plus fees + living expenses is going to run you approx 50k. not worth it imo, but up to you ultimately. plus you have no guarantee of getting into a school better than minnesota; cir phd placements after degree are inflated

[ihatedecisions]

I would also say that incurring debt is never worth it, especially if you have a choice. I can hardly think of any career that Chicago offer opens that would make it financially sound to risk taking on c. 50k debt.  

[Bosox]

This is probably echoing the comments made above, but I strongly recommend taking the UMN PhD offer as well.

Of course, I can understand your interest in learning from some of the top scholars at Chicago to boost your CV for the next cycle,

but even with 50% aid you'd be incurring the following according to the website.

"A one-half tuition award, on the other hand, puts your total costs for 2018-19 between $48,919 and $52,919 (depending on whether you choose to live with a roommate).

If staying through August, you should add $4,300 to $5,667 to your total costs."

That's $60K at worst and 48K at best.

If you don't find your experience at UMN all that enjoyable or fruitful, you can exit after one year for other opportunities with the first year of stipend,

or as noted above, take the MA after two years.

Of course, the choice is fully up to you, but if I were you, I'd go to Minnesota!

Last, but not least, congrats on the admissions offers you have!

Edited March 19, 2020 by Bosox
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