MA Choice Suggestions?

[Macaron]

Hi all!

Please excuse me, but I wanted to ask you for a word of wisdom on a problem that I have been having.

I am an international applicant who is to complete an MA from Asia as of the summer of 2020.
For the Fall 2020, I have applied for political science (international relations) doctoral programs in the U.S., yet have received four MA offers and 0 for the doctoral program.

My four offers include:
Boston College (Political Science) MA, which has a faculty that experts in the research that I am interested in.
University of Chicago (Committee of International Relations) MA, which I have heard is a great stepping stone to prepare for a doctoral program. For the program, I have been offered scholarship (although not much).
American University (SIS) MA, which is located in Washington D.C. and has a decent ranking in IR. For the program, I have been offered scholarship (although not much).
New York University (International Relations) MA, which is costly yet believe to be a great program.
Or maybe I should try to find something else as I didn't get into any doctoral programs?

While I am very intrigued to pursue a doctoral program in the U.S., as I will have one MA by this summer, I wanted to ask if you could give me some suggestions on what to do?

Thank you.

[GradSchoolGrad]

On 3/28/2020 at 4:49 AM, Macaron said:

Hi all!

Please excuse me, but I wanted to ask you for a word of wisdom on a problem that I have been having.

I am an international applicant who is to complete an MA from Asia as of the summer of 2020.
For the Fall 2020, I have applied for political science (international relations) doctoral programs in the U.S., yet have received four MA offers and 0 for the doctoral program.

My four offers include:
Boston College (Political Science) MA, which has a faculty that experts in the research that I am interested in.
University of Chicago (Committee of International Relations) MA, which I have heard is a great stepping stone to prepare for a doctoral program. For the program, I have been offered scholarship (although not much).
American University (SIS) MA, which is located in Washington D.C. and has a decent ranking in IR. For the program, I have been offered scholarship (although not much).
New York University (International Relations) MA, which is costly yet believe to be a great program.
Or maybe I should try to find something else as I didn't get into any doctoral programs?

While I am very intrigued to pursue a doctoral program in the U.S., as I will have one MA by this summer, I wanted to ask if you could give me some suggestions on what to do?

Thank you.

Here is the deal... If you are shooting for a PhD, two things matter 1. Your grades. If you don't get a 3.7 (at least) or higher, you probably won't make it to a top PhD program. 2. Your research. 

That being said, I would recommend you.

1. Look into what percentage of people in each program are going for PhD. I bet it isn't that high for SIS. Chicago, NYU, and Boston College might be higher... but I would check.

2. I would look into what professors interest you the most AND ALSO try to have conversations with them to see if they are interested in you. If they are too busy with you, at least try to talk to current students to see what their professor experience is like.

- Superficially, SIS looks like the worst option for PhD.

Honestly... between Boston College, NYU, and U. Chicago... it depends on your grades and professors you know. That will overshadow any differences from a brand perspective... 

 

Edited April 10, 2020 by GradSchoolGrad