nicholysseus Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 Did anyone else get accepted to NYU's Masters when you applied to their Ph.D.?* *It was awful and misleading. I got a huge envelope in the mail, and, brimming with hope and joy, opened it to find an unfunded MA acceptance. Damn you NYU! Why must you lead me on like that?
LadyCoetzer Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 The Draper program (if that's what they offered you, as they did me in 2006) is a great program and has a lot of excellent, interesting profs. Yes, it's unfunded, but it's a great experience! Just my lone opinion! LC
guenevere01 Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 I got the same envelope! Arrrrgh! I just can't afford to go unfunded. I really thought I was a GREAT fit for NYU - so much for that. Not that I'm complaining, I'm pretty satisfied with my results overall, but starting out I thought this would be my best shot. C'est la vie, eh?
nicholysseus Posted March 11, 2009 Author Posted March 11, 2009 Right. They should plaster a big sticker on the front of their envelope reading "Do not get your hopes up!" It's a compliment, I guess, but still hurts like a punch to the crotch. I'll have to turn it down too, of course, especially because it's in NYC. No way to live in NYC without funding.
Yellow#5 Posted March 13, 2009 Posted March 13, 2009 Yeah, I just got one today. It was postmarked March 10, but was in my neighbor's mailbox Does this mean if I turn it down I shouldn't bother to re-apply next year?
guenevere01 Posted March 13, 2009 Posted March 13, 2009 Does this mean if I turn it down I shouldn't bother to re-apply next year? That seems a bit unfair, considering it's unfunded. Did you get the form to send back in to them to reject their offer? It has a line or two to put your reasons. I'd put some big ol' $$$$$ on there.
Yellow#5 Posted March 13, 2009 Posted March 13, 2009 I haven't done anything yet. I've called their office, but on the Friday before spring break...yeah. I'm going on vacation myself, so I'll worry about it later. I feel like I've been worrying for 3 months straight -- oh wait! I have been. I'd love it if they let me defer, since it's unfunded and take a shot at getting outside funding. It's pretty lame that you need to apply for grants almost a year before getting accepted.
indy4ever Posted March 14, 2009 Posted March 14, 2009 I just got one of those as well. Considering that I want to stay in study and generate some better writing samples and get some better references, it would be a good place to do it. I know it would be great to be in a department with such a fantastic rep. But I was wondering - is the MA acceptance a consolation prize they mail out to, like, a hundred people in the hope that ten or fifteen people will say yes? Or is it genuinely competitive for entry? I am sure it would be great to go to NYU, but I wouldn't want to feel like a second class citizen in the department (this is assuming I even found the money to take up the place).
SmartCookie Posted March 14, 2009 Posted March 14, 2009 yea ummmm did everyone get into the NYU MA program or what? (I got a packet too) Here's the question, anyone get REJECTED from NYU?
Yellow#5 Posted March 14, 2009 Posted March 14, 2009 Here's the question, anyone get REJECTED from NYU? Probably not. I don't see any rejections in the results page...not even one. Still, the program, the profs, the reputation etc. seem very good, regardless of how "selective" it is, I'm sure anyone who could afford to enroll would get alot out of it.
Yellow#5 Posted March 14, 2009 Posted March 14, 2009 Sara, Don't feel bad, it was probably had more to do with the ad comm sensing you would never fork over all those $$$$$$$$$ for the privilege of writing term papers than it had to do with your potential. Probably you just exhuded common sense, which, apparantly, I failed to do.
limelight Posted March 15, 2009 Posted March 15, 2009 Sara, Don't feel bad, it was probably had more to do with the ad comm sensing you would never fork over all those $$$$$$$$$ for the privilege of writing term papers than it had to do with your potential. Probably you just exhuded common sense, which, apparantly, I failed to do. lol. thank you, yellow.
thepoorstockinger Posted March 15, 2009 Posted March 15, 2009 Isn't the Draper Program just a cash grab by the university that they use to provide funding for the PhD program?
Yellow#5 Posted March 15, 2009 Posted March 15, 2009 I would expect it is. That doesn't mean that you can't learn a great deal there and go on to get placed at an excellent school, but...it's hard to concentrate when you feel the cash draining from your veins each day. It would be for me, at least, considering how many hours a week I would have to spend in the office for years in a row to put together 33k. It's harder to spend real money than it is to spend a "promise to repay someday." Smartcookie, I noticed you on the UVA pending thread too. Have you heard at all? What are we doing wrong? Or should I ask rather what are we "almost" doing right?
SmartCookie Posted March 16, 2009 Posted March 16, 2009 haha yellow5. I have no clue. No word yet, but no reject either. Waitlisted? Maybe?-- who knows...if you hear anything please do share. I've already contacted them once, so I'm trying hard not to "bug" them, yet. Once April comes around though, all bets are off :evil:
plasticastle Posted March 16, 2009 Posted March 16, 2009 So, I'm looking for some advice. I applied to NYU's PhD program, but received the packet today congratulating me on my acceptance into their MA program. I know that NYU has a fantastic reputation, and I'm assuming it would advantageous to do an MA there before moving on to a PhD. Also, I would have given anything to attend NYU as an undergrad, but, alas, I (being afraid of rejection) did not apply. Now my conundrum is as follows: I'm waiting to hear from two more schools, one of which I visited two weeks ago and fell in love. I'm not going to be cryptic about which school; it is UNCG (University of North Carolina at Greensboro). I applied to their MA program in English as a backup, but the program has grown on me. The faculty whom I met were fantastic, amiable, helpful...The atmosphere is congenial and stimulating (from what I could gather). I instantaneously felt comfortable. I know that I would do extremely well there. It would also be a great place for me to polish my research skills and sharpen my primary area of focus. However, the student/faculty and student/student relationship is very similar to my current undergrad institution. I go to a small liberal arts school, where I have done extremely well with a supportive English (and history) faculty and fantastic departmental camaraderie. I'm rather comfortable in this environment, which is why I believe I'm drawn to UNCG. I don't necessarily believe it is a bad thing, but I'm worried about becoming complacent and not taking risks. I know I need to step outside of my comfort zone. As I've already stated, NYU is one of my "dream" schools...since 8th grade, actually. I know that I would gain invaluable experience and receive the chance to work with renown faculty. I also realize that the name "NYU" could carry a lot of weight when I apply again to PhD programs in a year and a half. Yet, it is completely unfunded, and I would have to survive in New York City. I'm pretty sure I'm not ready to part with one of my kidneys just yet. I apologize for the verbosity of this post, but I would like to pose these questions: Can anyone provide me insight to the nature of NYU's program, specifically their MA program? What is the student/ faculty relationship like? What is the relationship between the students in the program? How are MA students received? Is it worth going to NYU unfunded? Should I choose the program based on its reputation, or should I attend the program I know I'll love and feel comfortable? Will attending UNCG over NYU harm my chances of being accepted into a competitive PhD program in two years? i also welcome any other unsolicited advise. Thanks for your help. And I once again apologize for the length of this post.
Yellow#5 Posted March 17, 2009 Posted March 17, 2009 Well, you should ask yourself why NYU is your dream school. Is it because you formed the impression it was something you couldn't attain in undergrad and that impression just stuck? I think that being comfortable where you study will get the best out of you. It also is easier to study if you're happy in your city and don't feel the money crush as badly. UNCG is probably much more reasonable tuition wise and the cost of living is probably 1/3. At this cost, you could take your time and spend 2 years in the MA, really clarifying what you want to study. The pressure at NYU, challenging your comfort zone and going against your regular routine might not be the right thing for you, unless you know EXACTLY what you want to get out of the experience. I'm also turning down NYU for another local program that is more flexible, more co-operative and touchy feeling and "ranks lower" on the magical US news report. I really don't think rankings (especially as they relate to job placement) matter as much for a terminal MA compared to a PhD.
ishicourt Posted March 20, 2009 Posted March 20, 2009 I, too, have yet to hear anything from NYU. I haven't contacted them or anything, but I'm starting to get a little confused. I figure I'm not on the waitlist, as some people in the results search were notifed when they were placed on the waitlist and I wasn't. :/
hoopdreams Posted April 17, 2009 Posted April 17, 2009 I just received an email from the people at Draper. However, unlike many of you, I am NOT automatically accepted. Here's an excerpt: "you have been selected as a possible candidate for admission to the John W. Draper Interdisciplinary Master
fields&charts Posted April 20, 2009 Posted April 20, 2009 yeah i got that same draper email today. I've been admitted to some other MA programs after being rejected by all the PhD programs I applied to. The deadline for accepting admission for the other programs is May 1st. They're cheaper and I wouldn't have to move, so I guess I'm not even thinking about the Draper program. Anyone know anything about it though? American Studies at NYU was kind of my top choice, but I don't know that I can justify moving there and paying for an MA when I can stay in Chicago and do more or less the same thing.
Guesnerth1 Posted April 21, 2009 Posted April 21, 2009 I also got the same email, I think I am going to do it, it seems that making the connections there may help you out for future phd considerations. Plus you can take 4 courses on whatever you want, so technically you can take 4 courses that can possibly count towards your phd coursework. Right?
JackieW Posted April 21, 2009 Posted April 21, 2009 Yeah, I got the email too--- but I was asked to apply for it and send them a new SoP, which I'm currently working on! I was rejected from everything else, so if I don't get this I'm going to a local state school this year... so, I'm hoping!
Kursty Posted April 26, 2009 Posted April 26, 2009 fields&charts: If you live in Chicago, why not just take some grad courses at UChicago or Northwestern as a none-degree student. You'd can still get a grade for it and it will be a hell lot cheaper. If they don't allow none-degree students, take some upper undergrad courses, often they are cross-listed anyway. Heck, you can prob just email a prof and see if you can audit his or her course; you probably won't even have to pay (who actually "officially" audits a course?). If you do all they work, the prof will prob write you a recommendation (you can probably even ask them to mention in LoR what mark you WOULD have gotten if you were officially enrolled).Plus, you can probably spin it as 'taking initiative' and 'being committed' in SoP And if you, for some reason, tank, no one's the wiser. Just because you have a chance to rub shoulders with big shots doesn't mean those shoulders will rub. Y'know.
sakura Posted May 20, 2009 Posted May 20, 2009 I got accepted to NYU for an MA in English with specialization in English and American Literature. I know this is different from the Draper Program. Does anyone have any information on the M.A. in English? how it compares to Draper, student/faculty relationships, the program itself?
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