UChicago MAPSS vs. Duke MA PoliSci

[PvZ 2]

Hi everyone,

I am granted an admission from UChicago MAPSS and another one from Duke MA in PoliSci and I am feeling unable to decide which one I should accept.

I am a PoliSci undergrad from China, hoping to learn political theory/ philosophy during my grad studies and aiming to apply for PhD later. The problem is that UChicago, a better place for me to learn PT though, gives me too short time to study in MAPSS (maybe due to adaption, language, etc.), while Duke, providing longer time for me to adapt myself and to learn without too much tense though, seems to be not a favorable choice because I notice that very few students apply for it MA program in PoliSci and far fewer finally accept the offer.

In fact it may turn out to be even more complicated for me, for I think it probable that I may later receive admissions from some other two-year MA programs (UVa, NYU, Brandeis, and Boston College). I am not quite sure what I should do now. I have found a lot of comments on MAPSS but quite limited on Duke's MA program in PoliSci and on other two-year polisci programs. I wonder if anyone here might tell me more about the latter and help me to compare?

Thanks!

Edited March 2, 2012 by Goliath

[Doorkeeper]

The main question I think you're really going to need to figure out is how much faculty attention you would be getting at any of these MA programs that you're applying to. Since you're going to be applying to theory PhDs in the US, you're going to need to get 1-2 solid faculty recommendations from whichever MA program you attend. I know MAPSS has a high placement rate, but I don't know if you'd be able to form good faculty connections in a year. Perhaps someone else could chime in here with such information.

[Green_Bee]

Here are my thoughts (a year out of the MAPSS program) posted on a different thread. PM me if you want to talk more!

[PvZ 2]

The main question I think you're really going to need to figure out is how much faculty attention you would be getting at any of these MA programs that you're applying to. Since you're going to be applying to theory PhDs in the US, you're going to need to get 1-2 solid faculty recommendations from whichever MA program you attend. I know MAPSS has a high placement rate, but I don't know if you'd be able to form good faculty connections in a year. Perhaps someone else could chime in here with such information.

I do appreciate your reply! It seems that LOR makes great sense. I will try to find this out.

[PvZ 2]

Here are my thoughts (a year out of the MAPSS program) posted on a different thread. PM me if you want to talk more!

Message sent. Thank you!