Help me not pick the wrong program

[jbd04]

I am lucky to have two MA programs to choose from, but I am stuck on which one is the better option. I ultimately want to do a PhD and have a career in a research institute or academic-adjacent applied setting (no TT dreams here). Either program will make me more competitive than I am now, but could one program give me an even bigger advantage than the other?

School A - Top 40 PhD program, private R1, no funding. Some MA grads go on to top 20 PhD programs, not sure how common that is. I’ve had a handful of lukewarm experiences with faculty and admin, and spoke to 3 students who did not make me excited about the program. Unsure how willing faculty are to work with MA students, and worried I might have to really fight to get some solid research experience outside of coursework.

School B - Top 100 PhD program, public R2, funding TBD (expecting some). MA students frequently stay on and do PhDs here, but there have been some placements in T30-40 PhD programs in recent years. Faculty, students and program coordinator have been responsive, helpful, accessible. I like everything about the program except the ranking, and if I'm being honest I'm a little hung up on the public reputation the school has for being among the "worst" in the region (based on undergrad selectivity, but it's still the public perception).

Both have quant-y tracks I’m interested in, and I have pretty good fit with faculty and research centers/labs. Comparable cost of living/quality of life in both places. No real advantage to either one.

I know a lot of advice is to follow the money, but is it that simple in this case? I want to choose School B, but I have never had a shot at a school with as much (relative) prestige as School A, and I’m worried that forfeiting that now would really limit my PhD opportunities. Is that a valid concern, or am I just being blinded by the rankings?

I could really use some insight from anyone who has been in similar position, or are familiar with how admissions committees compare MA programs!

[Warelin]

PHD "rankings" do not extend to MA programs. MA programs are essentially all unranked.

It sounds like you'll be happier at school B. Having good experiences and accessible instructors will only result in a stronger grad app for future programs. 

[jbd04]

10 hours ago, Warelin said:

PHD "rankings" do not extend to MA programs. MA programs are essentially all unranked.

It sounds like you'll be happier at school B. Having good experiences and accessible instructors will only result in a stronger grad app for future programs. 

That's what I was hoping to hear, thank you!

[limonchello]

I agree that school B is the better option. You're much more likely to get into a great PhD program if you have collaborated with some faculty (whether or not it's published) and this sounds much more likely at B. Plus, it sounds like it's cheaper and you'll have some funding which is a definite plus. Program A sounds like it's probably a cash cow. 

[lkaitlyn]

Follow the money for an MA. If school B has more funding, that's where you should go.

[jbd04]

Thank you @limonchello and @lkaitlyn for chiming in!!