MA Programs

[s800x]

Hey y'all!

I know most people here are applying to PHD programs, but I wondered if anyone was applying to MA programs in Political Science?

I've applied to the MA programs at the University of Georgia and Virginia Tech. Does anyone know more information about these programs and when we are likely to hear from them?!

Thanks!

[rlayla]

I applied to 9 phD programs, but I also applied to Uchicago's CIR (masters internaitonal relations) kind of for the hell of it. I also checked the box on the columbia's poli sci app to be considered for the masters program if my phD app was rejected.

I think masters notifications come out later than PhDs, cause they have to look at all the rejected PhD applications. Probably March.

Good luck!

[s800x]

Thanks rlayla, good luck to you too!

I've also applied to UChicago's CIR program too! In fact, I've applied to 9 masters programs - as an international student I feel a PHD is too big a step just at this time - but the only ones that are strictly pol sci are Georgia and VA Tech.

[adaptations]

Current Chicago CIR Student here -

As a student in CIR, I fully endorse the program. It is quite intense and moves at a very fast pace. It gives you the opportunity to take great graduate courses, network with outstanding faculty, and work on your own research (in the form of your MA thesis). The program provides a good deal of flexibility, so you can work on developing or pursuing your given specialty.

One recommendation - if you enroll in CIR, or a masters in another top university, take full advantage of the non-class offerings. Things like workshops, speaker series, research assistantships, etc... It is through these offerings that you will really develop connections with faculty, secure strong letters of rec. for the future (along with your classes), and gain the most out of the program.

Best of luck to all,

[natofone]

As another recent Chicago CIR grad, I would also highly recommend the program. It gives you a great taste of what being an academic is all about. Great for testing the waters and leveraging it into something else if academia isn't your thing. Very rewarding experience. Adaptations is right about taking advantage of the workshops. They can be brutal as even undergrads and MA students rip apart full professors touring their latest paper.

[rlayla]

I went to the University of Chicago undergrad. Have some mixed feelings about it, but I can't imagine a better or more rigorous academic experience. Couldn't spend another 7 years there doing a PhD, but I did apply for CIR. Feel free to message me if you have any questions about UChicago or Hyde Park in general.