Draper nyu vs Columbia Masters

[wishywashy]

Hi all,

I was accepted to Nyu's Draper Program as well as Columbia's terminal MA in a regional literature program.

I'm leaning towards Columbia. Is this the right intuition? I'm hoping it will increase my chances at a PhD later in literature.

A question about columbia, however, if anyone happens to know: Can a student in a Masters program take as many grad level electives he or she wants in other disciplines? Can an Italian literature major, for example, take unlimited classes in anthropology or history or American studies? (granted the student takes on the responsibility of paying for the credits and stretching out the time span of the masters)

I ask because i would actually like to do as much exploration, learning, and refining of my goals as possible before applying to a phd program.

Thanks in advance!

[runonsentence]

I'd recommend you contact some current grad students (or even the DGS) at Columbia with your questions about taking electives. They'd have the best and most accurate information on that.

As to which program to choose, that depends. The name's not the only thing that's important—some measure of fit matters, as well. You want to get along well with faculty and build relationships so that you can get some good LoR. Also, does either program offer opportunities for research, teaching, administrative responsibilities, or other opportunities that you can add to a CV and/or talk about in a personal statement?

[marcCvR]

I'm in a similar position, choosing between the Draper program and an MA from Columbia in history and literature taught in Paris. The quality of faculty in the Paris program is really impressive, though the course list they've posted on the website seems quite limited. It'd be a rigorous and interesting program taught in both english and french, though I'm wondering if not having the breadth of courses possible in the Draper program might be a draw back. Any opinions?

[rainy_day]

I'm in a similar position, choosing between the Draper program and an MA from Columbia in history and literature taught in Paris. The quality of faculty in the Paris program is really impressive, though the course list they've posted on the website seems quite limited. It'd be a rigorous and interesting program taught in both english and french, though I'm wondering if not having the breadth of courses possible in the Draper program might be a draw back. Any opinions?

omg, you'd get to live in Paris? What are you waiting for? Okay, sorry, I recognize that I'm projecting my own obsession with Paris, but the program sounds great and it's a once-in-a-lieftime experience, as they say. Random stranger on the itnernet vote: Do it!

[marcCvR]

omg, you'd get to live in Paris? What are you waiting for? Okay, sorry, I recognize that I'm projecting my own obsession with Paris, but the program sounds great and it's a once-in-a-lieftime experience, as they say. Random stranger on the itnernet vote: Do it!

oh I know, the thing is I've been living in Paris for two years

more looking at the particular programs

[rainy_day]

oh I know, the thing is I've been living in Paris for two years

more looking at the particular programs

Oh, well now I'm even more jealous of you.

I'm currently in an MA program that is pretty small and, as a result, has a pretty small course offering each semestser. I would be lying if I didn't say it was disappointing at times. But on the other hand: small makes it easier to build a close relationship with faculty and, as long as there are enough people doing research in areas that interest you, you can always take their classes. (I love my program, but ultimately the reason I'm not aplying here for a PhD is the lack of faculty interested in what I want to do, so the small course offerings can sometimes be a problem.)