librarygremlin Posted March 3, 2013 Posted March 3, 2013 (edited) So far, despite having applied to PhD programs, I have been offered two MA's (at great schools!). I'm not sure what to do-- reapply next year, or take one of these (very expensive) offers. I've been told by some that an MA will help me with PhD admissions, but I have been told by others that an MA can count against me with PhD admissions (and that they are not worth the debt). Advice? Has anyone been in this situation before? Edited March 3, 2013 by librarygremlin
mostlytoasty Posted March 3, 2013 Posted March 3, 2013 Acceptance from U of Oregon! HHEoS, Gwendolyn, bfat and 1 other 4
jazzyd Posted March 3, 2013 Posted March 3, 2013 So far, despite having applied to PhD programs, I have been offered two MA's (at great schools!). I'm not sure what to do-- reapply next year, or take one of these (very expensive) offers. I've been told by some that an MA will help me with PhD admissions, but I have been told by others that an MA can count against me with PhD admissions (and that they are not worth the debt). Advice? Has anyone been in this situation before? You might want to read through this thread where people have posted about their experiences in MA programs: Obvious this might be hard to determine, but if you can determine where the weaknesses were in your applications that might help decide whether an MA program is worth the expense. If it were me, I would go through at least another cycle before going for the MA, and maybe apply to a couple funded or partially-funded MA programs in addition to PhD programs. librarygremlin and practical cat 2
SallyCinnamon Posted March 3, 2013 Posted March 3, 2013 Congrats! My two cents: Lexington is a super cheap place to live, but you do need a car. They have great GWS and Social theory folks (or so I hear.) I'll second all of this. (I'm in English/GWS at UK already, about to finish undergraduate, just accepted into the English MA program here with GWS grad certificate) Feel free to ask if you have any questions about Lexington/UK
ProfLorax Posted March 3, 2013 Posted March 3, 2013 (edited) Yes, I was planning to already, and I'm happy to now be attending without the pressure of feeling like something I say might sway them one way or the other on me! Fantastic! I'll see you there. I'll be the one wearing a red rose... ... not really. But I am thrilled to meet some of my potential cohort! ETA: No, but really... I'm trying to figure out the cool way to reveal my secret GradCafe identity while meeting fellow admitted students. Edited March 3, 2013 by proflorax
lisajay Posted March 3, 2013 Posted March 3, 2013 ETA: No, but really... I'm trying to figure out the cool way to reveal my secret GradCafe identity while meeting fellow admitted students. "Hi, my name is X, & I speak for the trees." Datatape, smilax, ProfLorax and 1 other 4
Porridge Posted March 3, 2013 Posted March 3, 2013 (edited) What is the appropriate ettiquette to decline offers? I've already accepted one offer informally, but I should I wait for the official acceptance before I decline my other offers? ETA: I don't want to wait too long because it's not fair for those on the waitlists. Edited March 3, 2013 by Porridge
Two Espressos Posted March 3, 2013 Posted March 3, 2013 (edited) ETA: No, but really... I'm trying to figure out the cool way to reveal my secret GradCafe identity while meeting fellow admitted students. Me too! I feel like I've formed connections with some people on here, and I'd love to meet them in real life. Lots of interesting and humane thinkers on these forums. Edited March 3, 2013 by Two Espressos yellow.wallpaper 1
Cactus Ed Posted March 3, 2013 Posted March 3, 2013 Acceptance from U of Oregon! You were accepted at OU? Congrats! What do you know?! I have been waiting in Oregon with baited breath... Tied for my top choice. Would love details
ProfLorax Posted March 3, 2013 Posted March 3, 2013 "Hi, my name is X, & I speak for the trees." Yes. Just so much yes.
mostlytoasty Posted March 3, 2013 Posted March 3, 2013 You were accepted at OU? Congrats! What do you know?! I have been waiting in Oregon with baited breath... Tied for my top choice. Would love details Yes, thank you! I don't know much right now except for the fact that they just finished reviewing applications, so I'm guessing they will continue to notify others either over the weekend or early next week.
bfat Posted March 3, 2013 Posted March 3, 2013 Yeah, I'd love to meet some of y'all on here in a real academic setting, but unfortunately I don't think there's any acceptance overlap with anyone that I really "know" on these boards. On that note... Dear Lurking Michigan Admits, I think some of you probably want to turn down your offer, right? I mean, if you got in at Michigan, chances are you got into some other kickass programs too. You reeeeeally want to go to one of those. Seriously. This is not a Jedi mind trick. [this might be a Jedi mind trick] You should turn down Michigan for that super sweet other program. It's okay. Just send that DGS an email. He'll understand. Love, hugs, and kisses, bfat p.s. Dear god it is late and I think I may have lost all my mental faculties. ErnestPWorrell and skybythelight 2
Fishbucket Posted March 3, 2013 Posted March 3, 2013 bfat, I admire the nudity of your desire 1Q84 and Two Espressos 2
KeelyMK Posted March 3, 2013 Posted March 3, 2013 What is the appropriate ettiquette to decline offers? I've already accepted one offer informally, but I should I wait for the official acceptance before I decline my other offers? ETA: I don't want to wait too long because it's not fair for those on the waitlists. Yeah this is my question too. I keep getting such awesome funding details/notifications lf awards and emails from fantastic professors expressing interest to work with me :/ I already know I don't want to go to these schools but I don't know how to express it while still being professional and assuring profs that I respect their work and would still love to meet and collaborate in the future if possible...any tips?
sebastiansteddy Posted March 3, 2013 Posted March 3, 2013 Yeah this is my question too. I keep getting such awesome funding details/notifications lf awards and emails from fantastic professors expressing interest to work with me :/ I already know I don't want to go to these schools but I don't know how to express it while still being professional and assuring profs that I respect their work and would still love to meet and collaborate in the future if possible...any tips? Dear Irvine, Unfortunately, I cannot accept your offer of admission. Please accept sebastiansteddy in my place. Best, KeellyMK damequixote 1
KeelyMK Posted March 3, 2013 Posted March 3, 2013 Dear Irvine, Unfortunately, I cannot accept your offer of admission. Please accept sebastiansteddy in my place. Best,KeellyMKI know I know, garsh! lol. It sucks because honestly the lower 2 schools have the profs that would personally be the best to work with and have specialization in my prospective fields...ugh mo money mo problems.
sebastiansteddy Posted March 3, 2013 Posted March 3, 2013 I know I know, garsh! lol. It sucks because honestly the lower 2 schools have the profs that would personally be the best to work with and have specialization in my prospective fields...ugh mo money mo problems. Haha I am just joking. I do have some other great offers so I will not be devastated if ultimately rejected from Irvine. Please, do what is best for you.
no_foam_cappuccino Posted March 4, 2013 Posted March 4, 2013 I got into Oregon! And now have a really hard decision to make between Brandeis and Oregon. Unless someone has some super helpful distinction to contribute to make this decision less difficult...? HHEoS 1
practical cat Posted March 4, 2013 Posted March 4, 2013 I got into Oregon! And now have a really hard decision to make between Brandeis and Oregon. Unless someone has some super helpful distinction to contribute to make this decision less difficult...? Congratulations! I promise not to try to talk you out of Brandeis.
dmmar Posted March 4, 2013 Posted March 4, 2013 Dear Lurking Michigan Admits, I think some of you probably want to turn down your offer, right? I mean, if you got in at Michigan, chances are you got into some other kickass programs too. You reeeeeally want to go to one of those. Seriously. This is not a Jedi mind trick. [this might be a Jedi mind trick] You should turn down Michigan for that super sweet other program. It's okay. Just send that DGS an email. He'll understand. I've seen two people on the forums indicate that they're planning on declining U Michigan (can't remember who, sorry). I'm fairly certain that I'm going to accept their offer, though.
bfat Posted March 4, 2013 Posted March 4, 2013 I've seen two people on the forums indicate that they're planning on declining U Michigan (can't remember who, sorry). I'm fairly certain that I'm going to accept their offer, though. Hi dmmar, That's cool if people want to turn it down, but I was completely joking. I don't want to influence anyone's decision. Honestly, if I don't come off the wait-list, that just makes my decision much easier because I'm really torn between the two (theoretical) possibilities I'm facing.
dmmar Posted March 4, 2013 Posted March 4, 2013 Hi dmmar, That's cool if people want to turn it down, but I was completely joking. I don't want to influence anyone's decision. Honestly, if I don't come off the wait-list, that just makes my decision much easier because I'm really torn between the two (theoretical) possibilities I'm facing. Oh, I know you were joking, but I figured you'd still probably be interested in knowing if people are declining if it improves your chances of getting off the waitlist! bfat 1
dorotheabrooke Posted March 4, 2013 Posted March 4, 2013 Have any Washington admits received funding info? Nothing on my end yet! Fingers crossed. Good luck to you, Porridge! (You were admitted there too, right?)
dmmar Posted March 4, 2013 Posted March 4, 2013 Does anyone else have a March that looks totally insane? All the schools want us to visit at the same time! I originally wanted to go on a lot more visits, but there's no way I can be out of state every weekend and keep up on my current course work. Are you all planning visits? How many? How on earth are you finding time to go on them? Besides fondness for the program, what other determining factors influence your decision to visit or not (like expenses, especially if the programs can't fund visits)?
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