Vermont MA

[georgestrait1982]

Looks like nobody on the results board got a TA-ship... Apparently I am in the "top group" still awaiting funding but I wouldn't be surprised if they told everyone that. The DGS said that more funding sometimes becomes available mid-march, so fingers crossed.

Anyone familiar with the program? I am a little wary since they don't have a PhD program and are therefore unranked. Do you think a degree from such an institution would not be worth as much?

[Julianne Pigoon]

If they fund you, go, regardless of their "name" in the field.

Some PhD programs will turn their nose up at an MA from anywhere, and other schools will take into consideration that you've gained more experience in your field every which way--TAships, GAships, thesis, coursework, better GRE scores, et cetera. It just depends on where you see yourself for PhD. I personally have no time of day for snooty programs and any school that doesn't choose their students holistically and by brilliance. You might feel differently. I still say, however, go where the funding is.

[Stately Plump]

I know many people on here got their MA somewhere (only if there is funding, of course) and it helped them to gain a better understanding of their research interests, a clearer statement of purpose, and a more meaningful appreciation for their "fit" at prospective schools, all of which helped them enormously, and many got into really great PhD programs.

On the other hand, some schools prefer to train their students straight from undergrad, so they may only take a very select few who already have a MA. Other schools don't accept any transfer credits, so you may want to watch for having to repeat a lot of courses (it can easily turn a 6 year process into an 8 year process, if your PhD program won't take any of your MA program credits).

Ultimately, I don't think getting a MA would put you at a disadvantage. If it were me, I would go to a funded MA program over not going anywhere and trying to reapply next year, after being out of the loop for a year.

Hope this helps

[georgestrait1982]

Thanks for the replies! At this point I am not even sure I want to commit to a PhD; I'm very sympathetic to the community college mission and my interest lies more in teaching than in research anyway. I was more concerned about how a degree specifically from UVM might be regarded since their program does not even grant PhDs.

[Stately Plump]

Thanks for the replies! At this point I am not even sure I want to commit to a PhD; I'm very sympathetic to the community college mission and my interest lies more in teaching than in research anyway. I was more concerned about how a degree specifically from UVM might be regarded since their program does not even grant PhDs.

The fact that they don't grant PhDs may actually help the prestige of their MA. Some universities are skeptical of a student who receives a MA from a school that also grants PhDs. Many MA programs, especially at universities where there is a PhD program, admit many, many applicants, because they don't fund any of them. "Cash-cow" is the term that is often used; they'll admit anyone and then use that money to fund their PhD students.

Please note, this is not the case at all schools. I don't mean to make unfair generalizations, and plenty of people get their MA from PhD granting institutions, then go on to get a PhD from a fantastic school.

You may also consider looking into PhDs from schools that are more geared toward teaching than research. You mentioned that you are really only interested in teaching, but that is what 99% of us--including PhDs from prestigious R1universities--are going to be doing. You would be competing for jobs with a pool of applicants that have PhDs, which would probably put you at a slight disadvantage.

Here's what I would do, if it were me: I would go to Vermont, get my MA, and potentially look for jobs when I finish. If you have something, do it; there's no point in spending another 4-6 years in school if you can get a job right then. If you can't, however, I would look into applying to some of the lesser known (but still fantastic) programs. Be up front about your interests; call them or email them and say that you are interested mainly in teaching, not in research, and ask if their program might be good for you. I'm sure there are some smaller programs that are geared mainly toward training teacher and not researchers, and they would probably be really excited about a student who wants to teach.

Sorry for the rant. That's how you know I'm supposed to be writing a thesis. Good luck with everything!

[gr1277]

The fact that they don't grant PhDs may actually help the prestige of their MA. Some universities are skeptical of a student who receives a MA from a school that also grants PhDs. Many MA programs, especially at universities where there is a PhD program, admit many, many applicants, because they don't fund any of them. "Cash-cow" is the term that is often used; they'll admit anyone and then use that money to fund their PhD students.

I currently have two funded MA offers. Kansas State doesn't have a PhD program in English, but NDSU does have one. I personally would rather attend an institution that offers a PhD. Sometimes, I really wonder how information about what "some universities" or "most universities" want is determined. I think you need to remember to be careful what you let dictate your decisions @georgestrait.

[Stately Plump]

I currently have two funded MA offers. Kansas State doesn't have a PhD program in English, but NDSU does have one. I personally would rather attend an institution that offers a PhD. Sometimes, I really wonder how information about what "some universities" or "most universities" want is determined. I think you need to remember to be careful what you let dictate your decisions @georgestrait.

I quote my own post:

"Please note, this is not the case at all schools. I don't mean to make unfair generalizations, and plenty of people get their MA from PhD granting institutions, then go on to get a PhD from a fantastic school."

I'm not the only one who would be hesitant to drop $50,000 on an MA. If your institution funds their MA students, their program is probably a fantastic one. I can also promise you that some programs that offer both MA and PhD degrees pay no attention to their MA students; professors don't work with them, they aren't taken seriously in class, and they aren't welcomed into the larger community. I'm sure that NDSU is not like this, if they are willing to fund you.

I was just responding to the OP's worry about the prestige of Vermont's MA. A funded MA program will very likely be looked upon more favorably than a cash-cow MA.

[gr1277]

I agree. My main point was that I read so much conflicting information that it's difficult to process it. I never know what to accept as a fact or a horror story or a straight out lie. It's a little overwhelming and I think talking with a few professors in my department has helped clarify a few things. However, then I begin to question their perceptions of what is expected by "most schools".

[ScoutFinch]

Julianne Pigoon, I believe I have seen you in every forum I've checked in on today. I don't mean to be creeper. I haven't contributed much to forums because I have nothing really to add aside from "I'm freaking out and want to know what I'm doing with my life 6 months from now" but I suppose everyone who hasn't heard back from all their schools is in the same boat. I did get accepted here with a pretty nice funding package. I wish I hadn't heard back from them so soon though (mid February) because I know now it will be harder to accept other acceptances (should more come my way) with less than stellar funding and I don't imagine my top picks (Brandeis, Northeastern, University of Oregon), should I even get in, will have nearly as much to offer.

Edited March 8, 2012 by ScoutFinch

[LivePoetry123]

"You may also consider looking into PhDs from schools that are more geared toward teaching than research."

"I'm sure there are some smaller programs that are geared mainly toward training teacher and not researchers, and they would probably be really excited about a student who wants to teach"

Yes, I think this is true. From my limited research I get the sense that the PhDs at University of Oregon and University of Washington emphasize teaching quite a lot, especially Oregon. These would definitely be good schools for you to check out down the line if you end up needing/ wanting to do a PhD. Or if you become really interested in their programs, you might even email profs there and see how they'd look at a Vermont MA. But yes, I agree with others who say go for it if its funded. I went into my MA not knowing what I wanted to focus on (at ALL) and not knowing whether I wanted to do a PhD. Just the experience of doing an MA cleared up so much for me. I cannot possibly imagine going straight from undergrad to PhD, but maybe that's just me....

[CarolineSC]

LivePoetry - you just made me feel so much better. I didn't apply to any PhD programs, even though I'm a good candidate, because of how competitive I know admissions are. Some of my programs are joint MA/PhD programs, but who knows if I'll get into them. I have a fabulous offer with full funding to an MA program, and I'm really happy about it. I should stop reading these forums. Sigh.