a real nail-biter

[greenlee]

hey all!

So I've got a dilemma. I don't expect you all to tell me the right thing to do, but I'm definitely interested in hearing what you think.

I graduated last May with my BA, and applied to six schools for this fall. I got into three programs: the unfunded MA at SUNY Buffalo (waitlisted for PhD), the joint English and WGS MA at Brandeis (25% scholarship), and the PhD at ASU (currently waitlisted for funding). It's getting down to the 4/15 deadline, and I'm still not sure which program would be the best choice for me, because I like all of them. Truthfully, I know I could do well in any of the programs; each place has factors that are exciting to me, each program explores research areas I'm interested in, and I'm so grateful that I was accepted anywhere, since applying to programs and getting any offers is such a crap shoot these days. The uncertainty I feel is my dilemma; I don't know if I should just thank my lucky stars that I got into a PhD program and go to ASU, take out loans for an MA program, or turn down all three offers (does anyone even do that?!) and re-apply next year to more schools. I'm asking for your opinions, even if your opinion is "STFU, you got into a PhD program."

Anyway, thanks for reading. Hope everyone has a good night!

[dgobox]

hey all!

So I've got a dilemma. I don't expect you all to tell me the right thing to do, but I'm definitely interested in hearing what you think.

I graduated last May with my BA, and applied to six schools for this fall. I got into three programs: the unfunded MA at SUNY Buffalo (waitlisted for PhD), the joint English and WGS MA at Brandeis (25% scholarship), and the PhD at ASU (currently waitlisted for funding). It's getting down to the 4/15 deadline, and I'm still not sure which program would be the best choice for me, because I like all of them. Truthfully, I know I could do well in any of the programs; each place has factors that are exciting to me, each program explores research areas I'm interested in, and I'm so grateful that I was accepted anywhere, since applying to programs and getting any offers is such a crap shoot these days. The uncertainty I feel is my dilemma; I don't know if I should just thank my lucky stars that I got into a PhD program and go to ASU, take out loans for an MA program, or turn down all three offers (does anyone even do that?!) and re-apply next year to more schools. I'm asking for your opinions, even if your opinion is "STFU, you got into a PhD program."

Anyway, thanks for reading. Hope everyone has a good night!

Given my particular interests, I'd wait as long as possible for Buffalo, but I adore Gasché's work @ Buffalo Comp Lit so that's the main reason that I would hold out. For you that might be insignificant if not an unknown scholar altogether. That being said it does look like the "best" choice might be ASU...especially if each program appears to explore areas of your interest.

[fall-11]

It's definitely not a good idea to go into debt, so I'd say wait and see if you end up getting a funded offer at either Buffalo or ASU. In case you don't end up getting a funded offer, I guess you'll have to decide whether or not to do an unfunded (or partially funded) MA. My own inclination would be to stay away from debt -- I'd rather wait a year and reapply to more programs and with a stronger set of materials than go into debt. Let's just hope either Buffalo or ASU ends up giving you a funded offer, and that'll solve the problem! I know it's nerve-wracking to be waitlisted, but definitely wait all the way till April 15 if necessary before making a decision. In the mean time, keep checking in with those programs and reminding them that you're very much interested in going there. Good luck!

Edited April 7, 2011 by fall-11

[Phil Sparrow]

It's a questionable but occasionally justified move to pay for an English MA, but paying for an English PhD is, in my opinion, unjustifiable. The one exception might be the odd very strong program that asks you to pay for the first year with guaranteed funding thereafter, as--if I remember correctly--Wisconsin-Madison sometimes does. And even that might be a tough call. But Wisconsin is a great program, and *potentially* worth paying for a year. I don't know much about ASU. How is their placement record in your field? Is funding guaranteed after the first year? It may be beneficial to see if you can defer one of these programs and reapply next year. That way you can give it another shot and still have a viable back-up. (This is my shot in the dark. Please, y'all, let me know if this sounds way off base.)

Edited April 7, 2011 by Phil Sparrow

[entertext]

I actually got into two of the same programs I definitely would not take an unfunded PhD. Can you possibly call and see when you will be notified about funding? I was in the same dillemna of funding or no funding for an MA program and decided to go with unfunded Buffalo. It's not ideal, but I really didn't want to say no to what seemed best for me because of money. I'd wait as long as possible before making a decision, but if you can eliminate one option try and do that now.

[greenlee]

Thanks for all of the great input so far! I have been in contact with ASU's grad coordinator, and the most she's told me is that I'm still on the waitlist for funding, and that even if I were to attend the first year without funding, I'd have to reapply for a TAship every additional year I'd be in the program. It sounds as if I'd never really have guaranteed funding, and that's definitely not enticing. I think I can safely rule out Brandeis, since I'd be taking out roughly the same amount in loans for one year that I took out for four years of undergrad. As for Buffalo, I wouldn't mind taking out the loans for the MA program because I'm sure a degree from UB would strengthen my application for other programs down the road. But I'm really hoping I get accepted off the waitlist for the PhD, since the DGS told me they were really enthusiastic about my work, but had limited space in the program. I've been keeping in touch with him periodically, and he's been nothing but nice. I think all I can do now is rule out Brandeis and keep on waiting. I do agree with Phil Sparrow though; I don't know how I could justify paying for a PhD.

[stillthisappeal]

I don't know your financial situation, but I would strongly recommend that you think twice about going into debt for a graduate degree in English. It's not a sound investment. Besides, your multiple acceptances/waitlists prove that you're a strong candidate; it's possible you just applied to the wrong schools. I would hold out for full funding and apply again next year if needed.

If you do apply next year, I would advise that you look at mid-range programs with lots of funding. Texas A&M, Notre Dame, UConn, and Miami University stand out as promising leads; however, a school like Purdue would also be a good choice because I believe that they fund all of their incoming MA/PhD students with a full TA spot.

Good luck.

Edited April 10, 2011 by stillthisappeal

[runonsentence]

Thanks for all of the great input so far! I have been in contact with ASU's grad coordinator, and the most she's told me is that I'm still on the waitlist for funding, and that even if I were to attend the first year without funding, I'd have to reapply for a TAship every additional year I'd be in the program. It sounds as if I'd never really have guaranteed funding, and that's definitely not enticing. I think I can safely rule out Brandeis, since I'd be taking out roughly the same amount in loans for one year that I took out for four years of undergrad. As for Buffalo, I wouldn't mind taking out the loans for the MA program because I'm sure a degree from UB would strengthen my application for other programs down the road. But I'm really hoping I get accepted off the waitlist for the PhD, since the DGS told me they were really enthusiastic about my work, but had limited space in the program. I've been keeping in touch with him periodically, and he's been nothing but nice. I think all I can do now is rule out Brandeis and keep on waiting. I do agree with Phil Sparrow though; I don't know how I could justify paying for a PhD.

For what it's worth, I have a friend at ASU, and he says that the funding year-to-year isn't as uncertain as that makes it sound. As I understand it from him, it has rarely, rarely been stripped from a graduate student. But this is what I vaguely remember from a conversation last year, when he was making his PhD decisions, so you should check on this from other grads currently in the program.