Apply to a school's MPP AND PhD

[state_school'12]

Does it look bad to simultaneously apply to both a masters program and a PhD program? Obviously, admissions committees (AC) want different qualities from their PhD students than their masters. I don't think applying to the PhD would hurt your chance at acceptance in the masters program, but I think the reverse COULD hurt your chance at a PhD. spot. A few things that come to my mind:

Cons:

- Applying to both may signal a lack of focus (i.e., If you want to do research, why consider a masters?)

- Since you're willing to settle on a masters, AC may be tempted to give you masters admission. You can always apply after a year or two in the masters. If it's between you and a similarly qualified PhD applicant, it makes sense to award PhD admission to the other applicant, since s/he will go elsewhere if turned down, and there's a chance that you'll end up either paying for a masters, or applying again later.

Pros:

- Some programs (Michigan) indicate that applicants can apply to both programs. The PhD deadline falls a month before the MPP deadline, which may indicate that they won't know of your MPP application until after they've accepted/rejected you from the doctoral program.

- It could demonstrate a commitment to the school. AC could perceive that you're committed to studying under a particular faculty, etc. even if that means turning down a PhD elsewhere and taking the masters from this program.

I'm sure there are others. What do you think?

[mike218]

Some school also offer joint programs such as Georgetown which offers a masters in secuirty studies and a PhD in International Relations. So frankly, I think its fine to apply to both.