3 days to decide: Master's Thesis + To Graduate or Not to Graduate?

[Dreamy_Snufkin]

Hi all!

Inspired by a fellow forum member, I am in a real emergency situation here.

Within three days - by Friday afternoon Greenwich time - I have to decide whether to accept my MSc thesis grade as it is, or delay my graduation with over half a year (not as simple as it sounds in my current situation).

I would like to pursue a DPhil/PhD in IR/PolSci or Philosophy (Political). I have a BSc and an MSc in Philosophy, minoring in IR.

My Master's thesis was graded 5/7, or 3.7/5 or something equivalent of Upper 2nd Honors from a European (non-UK) university.

My overall average in my Major (Philosophy) is:

MSc thesis -> Upper 2nd

BSc thesis -> 5/5 or First Class

MSc coursework average -> First Class

BSc coursework average -> First Class

Minor (IR):

BSc + MSc -> Upper Second

My chance is that I could, in theory, be able to push my Master's thesis grade to First Class by the end of the year. Of course this is not guaranteed, and if I have to work throughout the summer and fall with it, I won't have energy or time to prepare a strong DPhil application for Fall 2013, so would have to delay DPhil for another year.

So I am asking your opinion:

Should I keep this grade, or try to improve it????

If I do, will I have considerably better chances of being selected to top pedigree universities (Oxbridge, LSE, Berkeley, Harvard, McGill, Princeton, etc.) or will I have only slightly better chances???

......Assuming I'll excel in the research proposal, references, academic and extra-curricula achievements and so forth, of course!

Would really appreciate a constructive and honest opinion!! :) Thanks to you all, and best of luck in reaching your dreams!!

--Dreamy Snufkin--

[3221]

I think it is very important when applying to PhD programs to make every part of your application as competitive as possible. Getting the best possible grade on your thesis might not get you in to schools, but I would not want to settle for a lower grade and then have regrets later.