last-minute offer from Yale, 3 hours to decide

[lotuspetal7]

I've already committed to the University of Washington's two-year M.A. program in Japanese literature. I've been offered a TAship there which will look great on my CV when applying to Ph.D. programs. I decided on UW over Harvard, where I was offered a partial stipend, when a faculty member at a Ph.D. program I am interested in for the future recommended UW over Harvard for me, both for the faculty and because of my financial situation.

Now Yale's one-year M.A. program in East Asian studies has up and offered me full tuition and a full stipend. I only found out about this hours before the reply deadline at midnight tonight.

I guess I have to stick with my decision, right? I've talked to the people at Washington a lot, and you can't afford to make enemies in a small field like this, I suppose. Plus I told the prof who advised me to choose UW that I would take his advice.

I suppose the two-year program at UW will prepare me more completely for my Ph.D. applications, plus the TA experience will look good; I guess I'd better stick with my decision. But I admit that if I'd known about this offer sooner, there's a good chance I would have taken it for personal reasons--the TA position is going to have me really tied up all year round, including summers if I don't want to pinch pennies on my dinner. I guess that doesn't matter anyway, I have to stick with my commitment. Right? Any wise words for me? Thanks all!

[Karlito]

Yale's master is one year so it means you would have to apply this Fall and basically you would not take the most out of your Yale degree with regards to apps (since you would have started only 2 months before apps are due). What I am saying is that with the UW 2 years master, you apply in the Fall of 2013 for an entry in 2014, meaning you will have more than a year of master under your belt when you apply (+ great relationships with LOR writers, etc), which is a great asset. UW is also a great school, so do not worry about it.

Edited April 16, 2012 by Karlito

[lotuspetal7]

OK, I guess that makes me feel better.

though I still decided to send Yale an email asking for a day or two to think.

A couple of professor friends I asked advised me that I won't make enemies by bowing out of an offer for an M.A. program, so I'm still considering. One of them advised me to ask again the professor I hope to work with in the future, the one who advised me to go to UW over Harvard. I wonder if I should bother him again. If Yale gives me a day to think, I could. But I worry he would think badly of me for even considering turning down a school I have committed to. Is that over-worrying? Should I ask him tomorrow?

[Karlito]

Ask him you have nothing to lose I think.

[TeaGirl]

Definitely ask him. There's no reason he would think badly of you if you are asking him for advice. A lot of students go through this all the time. You can bow out of even a PhD degree sometimes, but the important thing is emailing the school and asking for permission to change your mind if you want to, and very politely explaining your situation.

As for the application, if you are set on applying for a PhD directly after Masters, then I guess UW would help with that. If, however, you think you can wait a year to apply (to finish your Yale degree) or at least a semester for a PhD, and get a job and save some money in the mean time, then this definitely merits reconsidering.

[sarahBsarah]

I would also say ask him, of course he'll understand.

On the other hand, I think you have a good thing going at U of W. There are great things about Yale's program, but it's not the best in terms of preparing one to apply directly to a PhD. That's why in the end I chose Stanford over Yale (plus who can beat the weather in California! Haha).

First, you don't get an advisor. I had a friend who went to Yale, and she said it was kind of hard not having an advisor. Second, there's no thesis requirement, so there is less support for doing really in-depth original research. Third, it's just a one year program. There are a couple of disadvantages there. Like was mentioned above, you've only been in classes a couple of months when you have to ask professors for LoRs, so they just don't know you that well. Also, another big advantage of a 2-year program is that you can apply for grants to do research over the summer-- SO important in applying to phd programs!

I have a friend who did the program at Yale, and is now at Stanford doing a second masters to prepare for her PhD application. So that could be another option for you.

In the end, consider your options carefully, and do what you think will be best for you. Good luck!

[poeteer]

If this were for a Ph.D at Yale, or if UW wasn't funded, I'd say definitely back out of your commitment. but I think the UW two-year funded MA sounds like a better decision if you want to go on for the Ph.D. consider that you'll need to start applying for the Ph.D in the fall semester of your first MA year. won't you just be using the same materials, somewhat revised? you won't be able to bring much new perspective to the process. I think applying in the fall semester of your second year gives you a better leg up than the Yale name, and any letter of recommendation from a professor there (big name or not) would come after knowing you for only a couple months. so, I vote UW.

(also consider that it is bad form to back out of a funded commitment this late without a very good reason.)

Edited April 16, 2012 by poeteer

[lotuspetal7]

thank you SO much for the help everyone. very good points, especially ailinna and poeteer. I sure don't want to end up doing a second master's, so I suppose the UW situation will be better for me all round. I just declined Yale's offer feeling much better about my decision. Thanks a ton all!

[Karlito]

Nice! Glad we could help you feel better, and not bitter having to refuse Yale! UW is great and you'll have a great time anyway