Experiences with one-year MAs?

[anxious_aspirant]

As someone who might potentially enroll in an MA program this fall, I thought I'd ask if any of you have also completed one-year MA programs and still applied for PhD programs for the next fall. I wonder how well this was received - since many deadlines are December-January, and I'd really have no final grades or partial MA transcript to send to these schools. They'd have to rely on my undergraduate record and my other MA, which is in a different field. I wonder if simply being enrolled in the one-year MA is going to give me any more of leg up than I had this year, seeing as all the statistical data on my new apps will be the same - or if I'll end up having to wait another application cycle to see the MA in English pay off.

Anyone have experience with this? Thanks!

[yank in the M20]

Hey there,

I did an one-year MA in the UK, but didn't apply until the following year, after graduating. I would say that you won't have had much time to build up your reputation within the department in such a short time and your letters of reference will likely be less strong as a result. Also, you won't have gotten back a graded essay so you won't have the help on how to craft one that might be needed to perfect your writing sample.

Two related things that you didn't ask, but that I feel the need to point out. First, completely secondhand, I've heard that having two MAs in different programs can be quite an obstacle to future jobs and getting into PhD programs. I would guess that the only exception here would be moving from a widely different field like the sciences into the humanities.

And, based on my own experience doing my MA abroad, I would hesitate to recommend it. It was an amazing experience, I would recommend it for that, but there are almost no funding opps and no teaching possible during the MA. I've felt that the lack of teaching as well as feeling isolated from the US academic community has contributed negatively to my PhD applications. Also, my lecturers here are lecturers, not professors and, while they were amazing teachers and researchers, the US community really relishes titles for one's letter writers. Last of all, it's not normal to request support from your lecturers here during the PhD application season. They invited me to university events and chatted with me about my potential areas of study, but they did not read my SOP or my critical writing sample and they were unaware of the requirements and difficulties of the American PhD application system. Just a head's up...you might get that MA and then find yourself in my boat, unable to get into a PhD program.

[anxious_aspirant]

Hey there,

I did an one-year MA in the UK, but didn't apply until the following year, after graduating. I would say that you won't have had much time to build up your reputation within the department in such a short time and your letters of reference will likely be less strong as a result. Also, you won't have gotten back a graded essay so you won't have the help on how to craft one that might be needed to perfect your writing sample.

Two related things that you didn't ask, but that I feel the need to point out. First, completely secondhand, I've heard that having two MAs in different programs can be quite an obstacle to future jobs and getting into PhD programs. I would guess that the only exception here would be moving from a widely different field like the sciences into the humanities.

And, based on my own experience doing my MA abroad, I would hesitate to recommend it. It was an amazing experience, I would recommend it for that, but there are almost no funding opps and no teaching possible during the MA. I've felt that the lack of teaching as well as feeling isolated from the US academic community has contributed negatively to my PhD applications. Also, my lecturers here are lecturers, not professors and, while they were amazing teachers and researchers, the US community really relishes titles for one's letter writers. Last of all, it's not normal to request support from your lecturers here during the PhD application season. They invited me to university events and chatted with me about my potential areas of study, but they did not read my SOP or my critical writing sample and they were unaware of the requirements and difficulties of the American PhD application system. Just a head's up...you might get that MA and then find yourself in my boat, unable to get into a PhD program.

Thanks for the feedback, yank. Maybe to get some more specific stuff, though, a few questions -

-Do you know why the double MA is a problem for PhD apps? I know it is for teaching public school, because it makes you more "expensive" to hire, but I didn't think of it as a problem for PhD apps - just kind of a non-issue, because the credit won't carry over anyway. Plus it's in education, which I thought would help if I need to compete for TA positions...Any clarification might help me out!

-The MA is at my previous undergrad/grad institution - so the professors who wrote my letters and proofread my SOP this year will be the same ones I have come the fall, more or less. I don't know if this would alleviate the reputation problems you point out?

I also was granted tuition remission, so it's a bit less of a financial burden - though doesn't cover living expenses. Being only one year, I can hopefully get leave from my teaching position and return the year after, with a nice pay raise, if PhD apps don't work out. But then again, based on your earlier comments, I don't want to preclude myself from the PhD option...Bah! And I love my undergrad school and its English department! Unfortunately I'm turning this into an agonizing debate with myself! I don't want to let my love of being a student / reading / writing lead me to make a potentially limiting decision in the long run.

[yank in the M20]

Hey Anxious, I thought I'd read people saying on this board that the second MA could be a problem, but perhaps I was conflating the problem for teaching with the problem as a PhD applicant. Will you be able to teach on the one year MA? If so, I'd take it. If not, I'd think about it. As I said, the lack of teaching experience at the university level might be an issue, though maybe not with someone that taught high school like you,

The only other question I'd ask if I was you is what the attitude towards people that get their BA and MA at the same institution is. I know that getting one's BA and PhD at the same university can make things tougher for you on the job market, or so I've read on these boards, but I'm not sure if the BA/MA at same would affect chances of getting into a PhD. Anyone want to weigh in?

And I see you have a waitlist to consider--don't count yourself out yet! Good luck!

[anxious_aspirant]

I get what you mean about getting BAs and MAs at the same school, and I wondered about it myself. It's because a lot of institutions guarantee grad admission for their students, right? This particular MA usually only allows 1 former student into the program per year, so it actually makes it a bit more competitive - but there's no way to really acknowledge that in an application (maybe I can get a recommender to hint at it?).

Anyone else have insight on this potential-double-MA-death-sentence for PhD apps?? I haven't had any professors mention it, but then again, they haven't been through the app process for a while - and they have pride in their program, so I understand why they'd encourage me to do it regardless.

[memberofthe?]

I'm planning on attending UCL (in the UK) for a one year masters program and won't have the opportunity to teach however I just spoke with the department head and he said that if I wanted to volunteer/teach I could scout out options at the institute of education. So don't give up hope on no teaching, there are opportunities if you make a point to look for them.

[Stately Plump]

Anyone else have insight on this potential-double-MA-death-sentence for PhD apps?? I haven't had any professors mention it, but then again, they haven't been through the app process for a while - and they have pride in their program, so I understand why they'd encourage me to do it regardless.

I've never heard this, and I can't really imagine it being a problem for PhD programs. Many (most, even?) students take some time off and do something else entirely unrelated to academia, so I can't imagine that getting an MA in a different field would be any different. I don't know if you did this, but it would probably be helpful to address that MA in your SoP; the people reading your application will very likely be curious as to why you completed an MA in a different field but are now considering going into an English PhD program. It would be especially helpful if you can tie it in in an interesting way, perhaps something about how your MA led you to where you are now.

[lpbuck09]

I was surprised to find a lot more people who have or are working toward an MA on this forum than I'd expected. I had the impression that it was much more common now to go straight through in an MA/PhD program, but maybe that's not the case. If you have an MA or are currently in a program and are applying to PhD programs now, would you mind sharing a little about your story? Did you plan to do the MA and then reapply, or is that just the way it turned out? Is there funding out there for MA programs? Just curious, as I hadn't considered this option for financial reasons. Thanks!

[anxious_aspirant]

lpbuck - I applied to both MAs and MA/PhDs so that I'd have options, especially since PhDs are so selective and the numbers really are intimidating. I will definitely reapply to PhD programs after completing the MA, if that's the way I go. My previous MA (actually an MAT) is in English education (high school), so it's not unrelated. I completed it right out of undergrad because I was able to do it tuition-free, and it was an intensive urban ed. program - prepares you for all eventualities, and it's career-oriented so that I'd be work-ready. At the time, it was a no-brainer (considering it was free), though I planned on further study "at some point" in the future. If the MA/PhD option doesn't work out, I was thinking of the MA as a way to strengthen future apps.

I think most of us (?) hope for the MA/PhD option to work out, because it provides more security. But I will say that the MAT was a reputable program that allowed me to get a full time job right out of school. I don't think I'd be able to do the MA/PhD on a TA stipend for the next five years if I hadn't been able to work full time and save like crazy these past two years, either.

Not sure if this answers things for you - I think my case is atypical.

Edited March 9, 2012 by anxious_aspirant

[memberofthe?]

I think most of us (?) hope for the MA/PhD option to work out, because it provides more security. But I will say that the MAT was a reputable program that allowed me to get a full time job right out of school. I don't think I'd be able to do the MA/PhD on a TA stipend for the next five years if I hadn't been able to work full time and save like crazy these past two years, either.

Not sure if this answers things for you - I think my case is atypical.

I applied to 8 PhD programs and 4 MA programs and I was accepted to all 4 MA programs I applied to. I think many of us get our Masters Degree before we get PhDs because of the competitive market. So, I plan to teach for a year or two with my MA degree before I take the plunge and apply for PhD programs again because it is SUCH a grueling process (at least I think it is). There are many funded MA programs, but many are unfunded, however one year MA programs have the advantage of being less expensive purely because they are shorter than two year MA programs so expenses aren't as much of a worry. Anyhow, that's my $.02 , best of luck!!

[lpbuck09]

Thanks for sharing! Could you throw out a few funded MA programs if you know them off the top of your head? I didn't research a huge number of programs, but I only came across unfunded MAs. Is this something they advertise on the websites, or do you have to look into fellowships available and things like that?

[jma310]

Lpbuck- lehigh, where I am now. Villanova, UConn, BC and Carnegie Mellon do tuition remission - not all MA's get aid at BC though. Brandeis does partial, I think.

[Aubergine]

You could also look into MA programs in Canada. Because of the difference in our system (you need an MA to do a PhD), they all tend to offer some funding... plus, even as an international student, tuition is way lower.

[lpbuck09]

Thanks, JMA310 and Aubergine! And congrats on Brown!

[wreckofthehope]

Wake Forest also has funding and a very strong MA program.

[rachmuz]

You could also look into MA programs in Canada. Because of the difference in our system (you need an MA to do a PhD), they all tend to offer some funding... plus, even as an international student, tuition is way lower.

I should add here that while the Canadian MA programs are funded, you do not usually get to teach - at least, that is my experience. So if teaching experience is important to you, the Canadian MA may not be the best option.

[tristramshandy]

Does anyone know anything about the terminal MA at Brown? I've been scouring the internet for reviews from students but can't find any. I'm wondering about how Master's students are treated in the department/how big the MA cohort. I don't really have the guts to e-mail the department before I get my admission decision but I'm super curious. Help please!!

[Aubergine]

I should add here that while the Canadian MA programs are funded, you do not usually get to teach - at least, that is my experience. So if teaching experience is important to you, the Canadian MA may not be the best option.

I can't speak for all schools either, but at McGill I think that most MAs get TAships by their second semester, or for those doing the thesis option, for sure by their second year. So I guess it varies.

[riks90]

Is it crazy to be considering an unfunded masters at BU over funded at Wake Forest? Fit is wayyy better at BU, but I am really at a loss for a decision after everything I have read on these boards.

[lyonessrampant]

For the MA, ALWAYS follow the funding. Fit matters most in your Ph.D. where you will be for 6 or more years. Your MA, if you're going on for the Ph.D., is to make you more competitive for Ph.D. programs. Adding debt for the MA when you have the option of funding at another MA is not a good idea. Follow the funding!

[LivePoetry123]

I should add here that while the Canadian MA programs are funded, you do not usually get to teach - at least, that is my experience. So if teaching experience is important to you, the Canadian MA may not be the best option.

This varies-- I did my MA in Canada and at my school they had a "teaching class" which you could take for credit towards your degree. I didn't take it but my friends who did found it useful. They had some instruction in teaching and then got to teach some undergrad classes while being observed and got feedback on their teaching from peers and from the instructor. But yeah, i think there are less opportunities for the kind of TA-ships we are familiar with in the US.

Also, to the OP: I wouldn't recommend applying for PhDs during a one-year MA, simply become of the time constraint that places on you. Cramming an MA into a year is hard enough, but if you are trying to do PhD apps on top of that, your seminar papers are almost sure to suffer for it. I mean even if you don't do badly on them, they are sure to be less than they could be. Then you've defeated the whole point of the MA, which was to put you in a better position for your PhD apps. I'd recommend just trying to do really, really well in your MA classes and taking another year out to apply. I started trying to apply for PhDs during my MA and gave up in despair, and really regretted the time I'd wasted on even beginning to apply. I totally understand the urge to push through and not spend any more time out of school, but I think some patience will serve you well here.

[anxious_aspirant]

I guess the question then remains: Should I even do the one-year MA? I have tuition remission, but also the financial burden of leaving my job and having no other income that year. And depending on my job, I might have to defer admission a year to get a leave approved. Then I'm putting myself out by 3 more years until I can even apply to a PhD.

Bahh. My MA school is NOT going to look kindly on me anymore...

[lyonessrampant]

I did a one-year MA and found that I was a much stronger writer and scholar at the end of the process, which is why I would echo the advice to wait until you've finished the MA to apply. As far as your job and all that goes, I can't speak to that, but if you have some funding (and won't need to take much in loans) for the MA and are fairly certain you want to go on to the Ph.D., I would probably do one of two things: a) do the MA and then return to your job the year after during which you apply to Ph.D. programs or decline the MA this year and apply again this fall. When you re-apply, apply more broadly to both a range of Ph.D. programs and several funded MA programs. Take your best offer at that point. Can you take a graduate seminar in the fall at a university near where you live to develop a new writing sample? Do you need to boost your GRE and/or subject scores a bit? Can you get some new perspectives on a rewritten SOP? If you can do those things, it may be in your best interest to reapply in the fall rather than doing the MA now. You've got a Ph.D. waitlist and the MA admit, which indicates that you're a strong applicant. Do you think you can make yourself stronger and more competitive? If so, then the reapplication route may be your best option. Good luck!

[anxious_aspirant]

Thanks, all, for the feedback and the info you've shared. You've given me more to think about!