English Masters at Notre Dame vs. Irish Studies Masters at NYU

[goirish2200]

Hey guys,

 

During this round of applications, I applied to a number of PhD programs in English. Eventually I was offered a slew of Masters positions, including English at ND, Boston College, and NYU, as well as a Masters in Irish Studies at NYU. The two programs in the title both offered full tuition. My goal is to go on to pursue a PhD in English. The only thing keeping me from accepting ND outright is that I am already an alumnus from ND and don't want to overlap. Is that really that big of a deal or am I blowing it out of perspective?

 

Any input?

 

Thanks

[juilletmercredi]

This is field dependent, but in my field going to the same place for your BA and MA isn't really a big deal IF the place is the best place for you.  If you went to Michigan in undergrad and then stayed there for your PhD in my field, that wouldn't be a bad thing because Michigan is an excellent place to do your PhD.  So if the Notre Dame program is the best place you got accepted to for you and your interests AND you are funded there, don't choose a program that you like less just for variety.