Choosing the lesser evil?

[riks90]

Hi friends,

I am pretty much stuck between a rock and a hard place right now (or at least I think so). I've been admitted into two unfunded masters programs: UIC and BU. Being fully aware of all of the negative financial consequences of the unfunded masters, I'd just like to ask what people know about the UIC masters program. I am going to visit BU this weekend, so I figure that I'll get a pretty good idea of the atmosphere. Here are some potential factors in my decision making process:

1. UIC is ranked between 5-24 and BU is ranked 65-78 on the NRC rankings. Do these matter as much as I think they

do?

2. BU is in its first year of the masters program, so they don't have any data on Ph.D placement. Is this a sign to steer

clear?

3. UIC is a two year program with a thesis option. BU is one year with no thesis.

4. UIC is going to cost around 10k less than BU for tuition.

5. Fit is pretty much the same for both places (not my top choice, but not too shabby either).

6. My SO is going to be in medical residency in Chicago (an important reason, but not something that will make my

decision absolutely).

On paper it seems like a no-brainer. I cannot find anything on the forums about UIC's MA program... Help?!

[JeremiahParadise]

UIC FTW. 10k is a lot. And a thesis is a good thing to have.

[cquin]

Knowing nothing about the specific programs or your field, I'd still say UIC just based off of what you wrote.

[Timshel]

UIC for the reasons you listed AND because Chicago is an AWESOME place to live. I miss it!

[jma310]

I have to play the devil's advocate, to others and to myself. I see reasons for both. The reasons to attend UI-C are more obvious. But, the BU program will result in less debt from one year, am I correct? Or is UI-C cheaper even for two years? Less debt would be a perfectly fine reason to attend BU. I'm sure the MA education there would be great and I think I read that it's 4 classes per semester (my BF got the offer too...).

However, doing a one year MA basically counts you out of next year's application season. When you have to put together an application in the fall you won't be ready with about a month of graduate coursework under your belt. That being said, I think even putting together an app in the second year of an MA program isn't the easiest thing to do. I know some people have had success here with it but I largely did not and neither did most of my cohort.

[riks90]

jma- UIC is cheaper for 2 years. Out of state tuition is around 7.5k per semester, times four semesters. BU is over 40k for two semesters. Also, I agree with you on the one year MA not being conducive to the next application season. I was excited about it initially, but then when I got the UIC offer, it seemed like a better deal. I was just hoping someone knew about it (maybe knew someone who attended the program or knew someone who had).

[Stately Plump]

When you visit (can you visit both places? That would be ideal...) be sure to ask about placement rates to PhD programs. Where are their students going? If you can, talk with some graduate students also. They can (potentially) be more truthful than the faculty. Also, check out out willing faculty are to meet with you. If there's a difference, I would go with the place where the faculty seem most supportive to your cause. And make sure you are upfront about your desire to get into a PhD program.

Good luck!

[riks90]

I'm at the BU open house tomorrow (today, if you want to get technical). The MA program is in it's first year, so they have no data on placement. You do take the same classes as MA/Ph.D students... Then again, UIC said they haven't been following up on MA student placements until recently. I'm not sure which is worse to be honest.

[Julianne Pigoon]

UIUC is also a feeder program for their PhD. I almost applied there for that very reason.