IR/Comparative Program Advice

[millssm]

Hey everyone,

A friend of mine (already in Grad school) suggested I post on here for advice about the programs I am looking into. I am a junior at a T20 University with an above average record (but nothing too exceptional)- doing my own research this summer as well as an undergraduate honors thesis next year. I was currently accepted to the 4+1 Masters Program (do a Masters in one year), but its a pretty expensive option with absolutely no financial aid, and because I know I want to go on for a PhD, its alot of money to spend for one year when I could possibly get funding at another school. Also, I would like to continue at one of the big private schools, Duke, Georgetown, Ivy League, etc.

My first question is: Is it completely necessary to get a freestanding Masters before applying to a Doctoral program?

I was wondering if any current IR/comparative applicants had advice for programs with good funding- whether freestanding Masters Programs or PhD programs?

Thanks!

[maicondouglas]

Absolutely not! I do not have a masters and I was admitted to a top 15. I know this was also the case with a bunch of posters here as well as many of the kids that I met at grad weekend. While there are certainly valid reasons for doing an MA prior to a PhD, jumping right in is a great way to elude the hefty price tags associated with most MA programs.

What I suggest you do is start preparing now for your applications and GRE so everything is picture perfect when you do apply. If you want to get into any of the programs you mentioned, having a solid math and stats background is practically essential for admission. Same goes for the GRE-- you will be competing with kids who will be in the 650v/750Q range.

So load up on quant heavy courses and buy yourself a stack of GRE test prep books and practice tests.

Crank out a working draft of your statement of purpose and rework it again and again until it's flawless. Then start lining up your LOR writers and bring them your draft, so not only do they know what your research interests are, but they also know that you're fully comitted to conquering this goal of yours.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, by the time you approach the people who will be writing your letters, have a shortlist handy of the schools that you plan on applying to. Show this to your writers and let them know what the app deadlines are well in advance. Ask for their input and allow yourself to strategize with them.

After all this, taylor in department specific tidbits into your SOP for each school. Mention what resources you wish to take advantage of, who you wish to work with and mention papers authored by faculty that you found interesting and/or that align with your research interests.

Meanwhile, since the app process at top schools is highly competitive, have some fallback MA programs on your back burner that you could apply to.

With regards to funding, most of the upper echelon departments will be able to cut you a decent stipend that should keep you a hair above the poverty line. However, there are certainly exceptions to this rule (If I remember correctly, Georgetown was particularly stingy with funding this year. I'm not sure check the fall, 2011 thread for more details.)

I know that this post goes far beyond the scope of your questions, but I think that these tips will help you conquer your ultimate goal: getting in to top PhD program. Just throw yourself into it If you have qualms about not giving it all you got, then you're probably not ready to start a PhD.

Anyway, I apologize for the rambling-- I am procrastinating studying for finals at the moment. Also, I aplogize for the typos; I am writing this on my phone.

Good luck!

[Tufnel]

The above poster is correct; a masters is unnecessary. If possible, apply only to schools at which you'd be happy and leave the option of a masters at Vandy on the table. In the event that your applications go poorly, you can do the masters and improve your application. If you must decide prior to the reception of your decisions, still apply only to those schools in which you are seriously interested.

The top schools all provide adequate funding. As you slide down the rankings, packages get stingier and students are occasionally admitted without funding.

Finally, I think it's in your best interest to drop the private school preference. Though you'll probably find this out on your own, the university landscape is quite different at the graduate school level when compared to the undergrad hierarchy. Many of the big state schools are incredibly good at research and graduate education. Frankly, it would be absurd to choose Brown, Georgetown, Penn, or Vanderbilt over Michigan, UCSD, Berkeley, or WUSTL (though none are bad schools). My decision this year came down to an Ivy and one of the UCs, both of which I esteem highly. While I chose the former, I believe I would have been justified in choosing the UC. Source of funding is not relevant with regards to graduate education.

While you should obviously do whatever makes you happy, I only want to ensure that your preferences are not based on a distorted understanding of academic caliber.

[Zahar Berkut]

There are only a few reasons to do a terminal MA before a PhD, if the PhD is already your goal. The ones I can think of:

1. Serious need to boost your academic record in political science coursework.

2. Undergrad major in non-polisci discipline.

3. Cold feet about starting a PhD program.

I put myself in the final category, and I'm starting a 1-year M.A. next year that I think would also be of use if I don't go on to the PhD. If you're ready to do the PhD already, then take Tufnel's advice-- all of it, especially the part about private/public. You need to look into the rankings for your program of study, and forget whether their undergrad program is more prestigious. What you want to find is a good fit with faculty that can help you with your research interests.

As far as funding-- I think Chicago's CIR offers some of the best tuition support for a terminal M.A. I myself will be doing an area studies M.A. with the support of a FLAS scholarship. It's rare otherwise to get much help with master's funding.