To apply, or not to apply...

[riks90]

Hello GradCafe friends,

I have been lurking this forum for about six months now, and have just mustered up the courage to post. Here is my situation, I hope to get some infinite wisdom from you all:

I am a double major in Psychology and Creative Writing with a minor in Biology, graduating this December from a top tier private university. English major GPA of 4.0, Overall GPA is 3.4. GRE is 1340 (680 V, 660 Q), but I think I will be taking it again, and taking the subject test in November. I had plans to get an MFA before I went the Lit Ph.D route, but I want to do that the other way around now, because I would like to take advantage of my literature resources (professors, classes for writing samples, etc). My research interests are admittedly vague, but I am extremely interested in the areas of cognitive science and literature, psychoanalysis, literature and theory of mind, and literature and philosophy. I definitely have the academic background for these, but there are some possible obstacles in the way.

1) My creative writing major- Is this going to be a hinderance? I have taken just as many literature classes as a literature major would have, but they are not as evenly distributed by time periods, meaning most of my literature classes are post-19th century, save a few pre-18th century requirements. I had an advisor tell me that ad comms might reject me for this reason. Should I switch into the literature track? Or can I stay where I am?

2) Masters or Ph.D- if it is true that I don't have the necessary literature background, should I go ahead and apply for Masters programs as well? I have read mixed opinions on this forum about the value of Masters programs, but if it is going to get me into a top tier program then I will go for it. I would much rather go for a Ph.D. I guess I just don't know how solid one's research interests have to be; I definitely have an area, but not a thesis topic!

I think those are my main questions. I think I can snag great recommendations from my literature professors, and I plan to work with one of them on my writing sample, so everything else I can think of is in line. I just need to know where I should aim to shoot!

Thanks for your help, everybody!

[runonsentence]

1. I don't think the name of your major wlll be a hinderance per se; I know that some of my colleagues in my MA program came from non-lit backgrounds. It probably all depends on how compelling a narrative you can build that shows how your background will ground, influence, and shape your future course of study. My guess would be that it would be best if you can not only talk up the lit courses you did take, but also establish a connection between your creative writing and your interest in literature.

2. I found an MA incredibly helpful in strengthening my preparation for the PhD and solidifying my research interests. I was able to find a funded program, which not only meant I could afford to go, but was also able to get some teaching experience as well (which is probably the only reason I was offered an assistantship with one of my acceptances).

That said, if you already have a very clear idea of what you want, then go straight to the PhD (or consider throwing in just one or two MA programs as back-ups). PhD adcoms will be looking for a stronger sense of scholarly identity and more specifically articulated research interests than an MA adcom. You don't need to have a dissertation proposal, but you should have a much narrower proposed area of interest than if you were just applying for an MA.

[asleepawake]

I'm not sure why you're considering not applying. If you're not sure this is what you want to do, that's a good reason to not apply. But thinking your background isn't quite right? Not a good reason. Apply! I have a rough undergraduate record. I'm over it. I'm a huge supporter of the MA for anybody who isn't 100% sure exactly what subsubsubsubsubfield they're most interested in.

However, the MA is certainly not going to get you into a top tier program. It might improve your chances of getting into one, but your application will be judged pretty much the same way: Writing sample! Statement of purpose! LORs! ...other stuff. Your background sounds plenty sufficient if you can find the right fit.

If you want both a PhD and an MFA, you should figure out which one you want the most. I'm officially enrolled in an MFA program right now, but I discovered pretty quickly that I actually wanted a lit MA -> PhD, so I'm now completing the MA instead. My life might have been considerably easier if I had figured this out beforehand, but luckily, this is what the master's degree is for. People are moving around and trying different things. You do not NEED both an MFA and a PhD (as both are still considered terminal degrees), and if you know where you want to focus your research/creative work, you should be able to figure out which you want more (or first). Don't get a PhD just because you have great connections with lit faculty. You might consider a PhD in creative writing, in which you can do both creative and academic work.

Edited September 4, 2011 by asleepawake

[lolopixie]

Due to the fact that you think your research interests are vague, I would think applying to a MA/PhD track program would probably be best if you decide to go literature route. You definitely seem to have an area of interest, but if you aren't 100% sure then you probably want to take the additional time with the MA. MA programs will also catch you up to speed in areas you may be lacking, in your case pre-19th century. There were several people in my MA program that did not come from a literature background (ie Communications not even a writing major) but may have minored in English, and I think they were required to take 2 additional courses. Even though there are exceptions where applicants with only a BA are accepted to a PhD program, many programs require a MA or enter in and essentially do MA workload before beginning PhD work. Review the schools you are interested in and see what options and pre-requisites they have. You are in a common field, so I do not think your writing degree will hinder you at all if you decide you want to pursue literature.

[riks90]

I definitely think that an MA/PhD program is the best route; I don't think that I could jump into a Ph.D program right now without better defining my research interests. However, I was not sure if there was a difference in the terminal MA versus an MA/PhD route. Is it easier to get admission into a terminal MA program? I have found that these are usually unfunded... and while I have the means to afford it, I don't want to waste money getting one if I have just as good of a chance getting into an MA/PhD track program...

[lolopixie]

It will be more competitive to get into a MA/PhD program. Most terminal MA programs are going to be unfunded, and a MA/PhD track may go unfunded until you begin PhD coursework. It really depends on the school. From what I've seen, most terminal MA programs do not offer funding, but you may be able to TA/GA for income. The obvious benefit of MA/PhD program is that you do not have to apply to a PhD program - you're in! However, I wouldn't only apply to those due to the competitive nature of the application process. I learned it is very important to have a plan B. My suggestion is to go for both. If you get into a MA/PhD program, great, if not, you still have the possibility of continuing your education through a terminal MA. Then you just have to go through the PhD application process in a few years...meh.

[asleepawake]

I am in a terminal MA program and I am funded, and so are a large number of my peers. You want to find a terminal program at a school that does NOT also offer a PhD (or those students will eat up all funding) and also in which grad students are used to teach freshman composition. These schools have lots and lots of good funding for MA students.

[riks90]

lolopixie- thanks, that is really helpful. I will definitely do some more research within the schools that I have already narrowed down.

asleepawake- You go to school in Florida? Do you mind telling me where, by any chance? PM me if you can.