Does prestige matter as much for Masters?

[bags]

I'm having trouble deciding for my master's program. Should I go to one of the best schools for my field even though I am getting no funding in the hopes that It'll pay off sometime down the road or should I settle for a less well recognized, but still a good school with a good advisor, that's going to give me a full ride?

I guess my question is whether I should take the money and try my luck with the top schools in a PHD program, or go into debt to attend a prestigious school for my MA?

[Zencarrot]

I'm having trouble deciding for my master's program. Should I go to one of the best schools for my field even though I am getting no funding in the hopes that It'll pay off sometime down the road or should I settle for a less well recognized, but still a good school with a good advisor, that's going to give me a full ride?

I guess my question is whether I should take the money and try my luck with the top schools in a PHD program, or go into debt to attend a prestigious school for my MA?

It really depends on what you want to do when you're finished. Where you get your degree isn't going to matter THAT much if you are going to end up outside of academia anyway. Personally, I think that if you're going to dedicate 2-6 years of your life earning an MA/PhD, you'd be better off going to a school where you feel that you fit best. That means: a good fit with your supervisor, good student community, a city that you are comfortable living in, etc.

What is most important in my opinion, is that you are mentored by your supervisor. The quality of the education you receive depends largely on what you put in to the program, and you're more likely to want to put more in if you have fruitful relationships with faculty and peers.

Anyway, hope that helps. I really can't say much more without knowing what field you're in or your career goals.

EDIT: I just noticed on the left that you're in history. I don't know too much about your field, but what I said about fitting with the school and the research interests/personality of your supervisor still stands.

Edited March 21, 2011 by Zencarrot

[bags]

It really depends on what you want to do when you're finished. Where you get your degree isn't going to matter THAT much if you are going to end up outside of academia anyway. Personally, I think that if you're going to dedicate 2-6 years of your life earning an MA/PhD, you'd be better off going to a school where you feel that you fit best. That means: a good fit with your supervisor, good student community, a city that you are comfortable living in, etc.

What is most important in my opinion, is that you are mentored by your supervisor. The quality of the education you receive depends largely on what you put in to the program, and you're more likely to want to put more in if you have fruitful relationships with faculty and peers.

Thanks, for your response. My supervisor at this school is just about the nicest professor I've ever met, I'm unsure about the big school--I'd have to go hunting this summer. Certainly something to think about!

[chaospaladin]

I'm having trouble deciding for my master's program. Should I go to one of the best schools for my field even though I am getting no funding in the hopes that It'll pay off sometime down the road or should I settle for a less well recognized, but still a good school with a good advisor, that's going to give me a full ride?

I guess my question is whether I should take the money and try my luck with the top schools in a PHD program, or go into debt to attend a prestigious school for my MA?

What are the 2 schools in question?

[bags]

What are the 2 schools in question?

Toronto and Calgary. I don't think its hard to guess which is which, but Toronto's the top school and Calgary's a good school.

[Lymrance]

For your MA, I would definitely go with the school offering the funding!

You can always reapply to Toronto for your PhD -- and hopefully they'll offer you funding then.

There's no point going into debt for a Masters degree and the quality of the school seems to matter less than your overall profile at the MA level. (e.g. I'm coming from a very small school with a nonexistent reputation at the graduate level, but I've still had no trouble getting into most PhD programs.)

[bags]

For your MA, I would definitely go with the school offering the funding!

You can always reapply to Toronto for your PhD -- and hopefully they'll offer you funding then.

There's no point going into debt for a Masters degree and the quality of the school seems to matter less than your overall profile at the MA level. (e.g. I'm coming from a very small school with a nonexistent reputation at the graduate level, but I've still had no trouble getting into most PhD programs.)

That does make me feel better about it, thanks for sharing your experience.

It does seem more practical to take the funding, ah well, I suppose I can wait a little while longer to see the world!

[wtncffts]

I would take the funding, not only because prestige doesn't matter enough to swing it the other way, but also because there isn't a huge difference between Toronto and Calgary, or, really, between any of the major universities in Canada. I know some may disagree, but my perception is that because they're all public and there aren't vast disparities between resources, they're quite comparable. It's not like comparing Harvard and some random directional state university (no offense). As others said, it's really the research fit that you want to look at.

[Bukharan]

I would absolutely go with the funded offer.

I had a very similar dilemma last year. It was killing me as I dreamed of the school which offered me no funding for years. I eventually went with the fully funded offer, and never regretted it since. I am now about to start a Ph.D. programme at my top-choice school and I have no debt from Master's years!

It of course depends on your particular circumstances but, really, in the current economic climate, it is hardly advisable to take on debt for a Masters degree if you have another option. The very best to you with the decision!

[bags]

I would take the funding, not only because prestige doesn't matter enough to swing it the other way, but also because there isn't a huge difference between Toronto and Calgary, or, really, between any of the major universities in Canada. I know some may disagree, but my perception is that because they're all public and there aren't vast disparities between resources, they're quite comparable. It's not like comparing Harvard and some random directional state university (no offense). As others said, it's really the research fit that you want to look at.

Well there is the "library situation" in Calgary right now. They're trying to open up a new one and its been a bit of a disaster. Then again in the age of the internet and with inter-library loans it shouldn't be a huge obstacle, as long as I can learn to plan ahead. But, otherwise Calgary is able enough to handle my field at the master's level.

I would absolutely go with the funded offer.

I had a very similar dilemma last year. It was killing me as I dreamed of the school which offered me no funding for years. I eventually went with the fully funded offer, and never regretted it since. I am now about to start a Ph.D. programme at my top-choice school and I have no debt from Master's years!

It of course depends on your particular circumstances but, really, in the current economic climate, it is hardly advisable to take on debt for a Masters degree if you have another option. The very best to you with the decision!

Indeed, the academic career path is a little shaky these days.

Well, I'm going to accept the funded offer, even though my heart will break a litttle when I send my rejection to Toronto. Perhaps next time!

Thanks for all your responses!

[wtncffts]

All right, good luck at Calgary!

[Psych1951]

Hello guys!

I'm facing-more or less-the same dilemma:i applied for grad studies to both u of calgary and u of toronto.I was admitted to the u of c (i've already accepted the offer) and waiting to hear the decision from u of t.U of T's considered more prestigious that u of c and provides funding upon admission.On the other hand,u of c (and life in calgary) is cheaper and i'm excited with the program of studies (whereas i believe that the program in Toronto won't be a good fit for me).I regret saying this,but i wish the u of t rejected me...

[champange dame]

Hello guys!

I'm facing-more or less-the same dilemma:i applied for grad studies to both u of calgary and u of toronto.I was admitted to the u of c (i've already accepted the offer) and waiting to hear the decision from u of t.U of T's considered more prestigious that u of c and provides funding upon admission.On the other hand,u of c (and life in calgary) is cheaper and i'm excited with the program of studies (whereas i believe that the program in Toronto won't be a good fit for me).I regret saying this,but i wish the u of t rejected me...

Hi, I noticed your program of interest is Counselling Psychology, did you apply to the Masters or PhD. I'm still waiting to hear back from my schools, one of which is Calgary.

[Psych1951]

Hi, I noticed your program of interest is Counselling Psychology, did you apply to the Masters or PhD. I'm still waiting to hear back from my schools, one of which is Calgary.

I´ve applied to the MSc in Calgary and MA in Toronto.Have you also applied to these programs?

[champange dame]

I´ve applied to the MSc in Calgary and MA in Toronto.Have you also applied to these programs?

I applied to Calgary for the PhD in Counselling Psych. I'm curious to know when they'll start notifying the PhD applicants. I heard from someone who's already in the program that they haven't gone out yet.

[Psych1951]

I applied to Calgary for the PhD in Counselling Psych. I'm curious to know when they'll start notifying the PhD applicants. I heard from someone who's already in the program that they haven't gone out yet.

Good luck then!I!And if you decide to attend U of C,we'll probably meet each other there.

[champange dame]

Good luck then!I!And if you decide to attend U of C,we'll probably meet each other there.

Thanks! It's a small program so I'm sure we'll see each other around! i have two friends in the school psych program and they both love it, and Calgary. If you choose it, I'm sure you'll be happy.