The Dreaded Un-Funded MA

[wreckofthehope]

It can be done.  I worked two jobs (one of which was full-time) while earning my M.A.  I finished on-time for my program and earned at 3.87 GPA.  Now, did I have even a remote inkling of a social life or free time while I was doing it?  No.  But it can be done.

I was in the UK but my situation was similar, of course the tuition was much lower than the numbers being bandied around here...something close to $5500 for the whole degree. I continued working in my full-time job while I did my MA (and did grad apps while writing my dissertation). It was really hard, and I was incredibly stressed by it ( I hurt my back pretty badly during the year, which I think was stress related), but it's not impossible to do. Like Datatape, I also finished in time - one year - and got a Distinction.  An MA is required in the UK to progress to the PhD, so it wasn't really an option not to do one - I hadn't decided yet to apply to the US. I loved it, and I don't think I would have been accepted without doing it.

 

I think I would be a lot less inclined to do an MA were I from the US, though, especially one with a big sticker price...because your system is set up to move straight from BA to PhD it seems like you may as well try less expensive routes to the same goal (maybe taking a few grad classes as a non degree student somewhere and using them as a means to write a great writing sample, for example). The OP's situation is kind of different, though...this is not really an unfunded terminal MA, and she's likely to get funding moving into the PhD portion.

Edited March 8, 2013 by wreckofthehope

[ishmael]

I have a question (not trying to jack the thread-- since we're discussing MAs and funding): Many people have mentioned that schools are either impressed by funded MAs or deterred by unfunded MAs, but how do programs actually find out about your funding package from your MA (assuming you're applying to a different school than your MA)? Is this something you note in SOP or CVs? Just curious.

[skybythelight]

I agree with various things that have been said above, both in the "for" and "against" columns. In my own experience, my un-funded MA resulted in a fully-funded PhD at the same school. Those two years spent on my MA, though not cheap, showed me what graduate work should look like, taught me how to participate fully in my education and take advantage of university resources, allowed me to attend conferences, present research, network, etc. etc. -- all things that I have NO doubt drastically improved my chances when I applied this year to PhD programs. I, similar to the original poster, was rejected from PhD programs my first try, and ended up facing an unfunded MA or nothing. I took the MA, and this time around, am taking full funding at a school I love. As others have said, it's all in how you use it and make it work to your advantage!

 

And while I respect the pragmatism of some on this board regarding the future, debt, the job market, etc: We are all here on this site, submitting these applications, wishing, hoping and praying... because we so deeply want this next step of our journey to happen. Maybe a doctorate has been your goal your whole life. Maybe this process is your Moby Dick: it must be faced and attempted, so you can face yourself. I understand that feeling entirely! It's why I'm here. That being said, the risk can be worth it. And while I don't advocate being an idiot with your finances (as several folks have said, it's MORE than possible to work and go to school -- I worked three jobs all throughout my MA. No spare time, but my debt is smaller than most), I don't think an unfunded MA is a surefire way to RUIN YOUR WHOLE FINANCIAL LIFE. Mine, at an affordable school, was a $20,000 liferaft that brought me to where I am now. I certainly agree that spending the money without a committment or a plan is foolish... but if this is really your dream, your goal, and the thing that you want: I believe an MA program can help to better prepare you.

 

If you apply again next time around instead of accepting this time, I recommend taking a look at Binghamton University in NY. That's where I am, and where I'll be staying. In-state tuition is only $7,000 a year. And like I said, my affordable MA became my ticket to a PhD!

 

Good luck with whatever you decide! I'll be thinking of you.

Thanks for this.

[JosephineB]

It can be done. I worked two jobs (one of which was full-time) while earning my M.A. I finished on-time for my program and earned at 3.87 GPA. Now, did I have even a remote inkling of a social life or free time while I was doing it? No. But it can be done.

Certainly it can be done, (I work two part time jobs to supplement my stipend) but I take issue with the the poster above calling it "not hard."

[pomoisdead]

??

 

I invite you to try a quarter or two of grad school and then get back to us on this. 

I have an MFA. I also worked two jobs while double majoring as an undergrad. I also work a night job currently while teaching at three different colleges. Anything else you want to take issue with?

 

Edit: It's about dedication. Nothing is "hard" if you know how hard you're working for it. This is what separates those who love what they do versus the idea of it all.

Edited March 9, 2013 by pomoisdead

[Two Espressos]

Nothing is "hard" if you know how hard you're working for it. This is what separates those who love what they do versus the idea of it all.

 

I'm curious to hear you expound upon this.

[midnight]

I'm pretty sure living in D.C. proper would be impossible on the 10k stipend, which only a very small percentage of admitted students receive anyways.  I guess I'd have to live outside the city and commute.  So the biggest challenge, I suppose, would be to find an apartment near a metro line that isn't expensive (which, again, may be impossible: I'm not that familiar with the area.  I hope it's not impossible.  ).  I agree with you that living on Georgetown's stipend would be incredibly difficult, but I'm committed to making it work in the case that I do receive it.

 

It is basically impossible to find an inexpensive apartment in all of the DC metro area, be it close to the Metro or not. You may be able to find a cheaper room for rent (though that will run at least $500 a month, often more like $700+), but even studio apartments and efficiencies are pricey, especially if they're close to public transit.

 

Everything in DC is expensive. I don't doubt your ability to budget and stretch a dollar, but when it comes to things like rent and other necessities like groceries, you're going to pay a premium in the city and surrounding Virginia and Maryland counties.

[thestage]

I'm curious to hear you expound upon this.

he can't, because both of those sentences are nonsense

Edited March 9, 2013 by thestage

[JosephineB]

Edit: It's about dedication. Nothing is "hard" if you know how hard you're working for it. This is what separates those who love what they do versus the idea of it all.

Oh, come on. Perhaps I brought this on by baiting you, but you can't really believe that anyone who thinks grad school is "hard" isn't in it for the right reasons. 

 

Getting up a 4am everyday because it's my only time to get ahead on my own research is "hard," grading 50 essay exams in a week because the professor is going out of town is "hard," coordinating my entire day around the bus schedule because I can't afford a parking pass is "hard." I love writing, doing research and going to seminar, but grad school is SO MUCH more than just that. 

 

But I do agree with stage ^^ , those sentences are incoherent. 

[pomoisdead]

Yes, none of this makes sense...which is why we're doing it. Good luck in your programs, folks.