CIR Unfunded or Starvr and Reapply?

[brandnewtothis]

I'm so torn. It looks like I ultimately need new reccs, a new writing sample, and some actual "social science" training.

I was advised to do something to improve my app and I realized working retail for a year won't do that.

However, goint in unfunded would kill me, especially if it doesn't lead to anything.

I'm torn

[UVaSpades]

It's amazing how much this parallels my own life. After I got out of undergrad, I spent a year working in retail, saving money for moving expenses and whatnot, only to end up heading to the CIR program. I took on the debt (I was fortunate to have paid my way through undergrad), then reapplied and got into a PhD program. So, it can happen.

 

So, let's address your three points: recs, writing sample, and training. In terms of recs, it can definitely be done. While I didn't go down this path, I know people that got three new letters of recommendation that they used in their next round of applications. And if you really need news recs (as in, two or more), you're going to have to do something (such as an MA) to account for this. But if you're not the kind of person who easily connects to professors, this may be difficult, as MA students are generally not afforded the same kind of time and energy as PhDs. There are exceptions, and I've known people who have been very successful with getting letters in CIR and having great relationships with multiple professors, but many people only come away with the one letter from their advisor.

 

Writing sample is easy enough: your MA thesis should do this. If you do go to CIR, I would personally recommend you set the bar high right from the get-go, and tell your advisor that you want an honors thesis, come hell or high water. That will push you to work harder, and give him/her more incentive to put the screws to you.

 

In terms of "social science" training, this might be a bit tougher, especially since I'm not sure what that terms actually means in this case. With CIR, there's only so many classes you can take "free," i.e. outside of the course listings. This is problematic because not very many (if any) of the courses from the course listing can be considered methodology, thus limiting your ability to get training. As I recall, seven of the nine have to be on the course list, which means you would be able to take at most two methods courses; not ideal, but better than nothing.

 

In summary, CIR can make a big difference in getting you placed into a PhD program, but also a job in the private or public sector if you decide that's what you want. I'm not going to sugarcoat it, as it sounds like you're facing an uphill battle, and would have to really work your ass off to get everything you've listed for reapplication. And it's definitely not for everyone; we had at least a couple of people drop out midway through the year. But people can succeed quite well coming out of CIR, so if you think it's for you, it's worth seriously considering, especially if you really need new letters, a new writing sample, and some methods training (though you could always do statistics courses at a local university or community college, if it came to that). Hopefully this was helpful.

[eponine997]

I don't exactly what your background is brandnewtothis, but I would caution you to be careful before condemning yourself to retail.  Have you considered looking for a research job?  You might just be looking at spreadsheets or running reg y x, but that doesn't mean it can't open the door for better things.

A friend of mine (with a humanities degree) took a job in social science research for two years, while doing so she found a prof at nearby (and highly ranked) university who was doing research closely related to her 9-to-5 work, she contacted him, discussed the possibility of grad school and asked if he had reading recommendations for exploring the topic further, which she then read and asked if she could be his research assistant (as a volunteer).  She worked for him and his coauthor for about a year.  After that she had two new strong letters, new research and more clearly defined interest to talk about in her SoP.  This was good enough to get her into a top ten poli sci program.  

That is certainly not the norm, but a possibility.  

Don't think you ONLY have this either-or option of retail or go into debt for an MA, be creative.  I wouldn't suggest exactly the path she took, but there are other options, combinations of coursework, research, volunteering and networking that could get you what you need without taking on massive amounts of debt.  That said, CIR is a quality program, just make sure you utilize your time well if that's what you decide on - for a short program, the debt won't necessarily be the worst thing in the world.  

[ThisGuyRiteHere]

You are going to need some type of MA. If you can find a local one, then I would recommend that. However, if you do not. You may have to do it. Isnt the program 1 year? That is not THAT bad, and this is coming from someone with substantial loans. I do not know if you can find a better MA than CIR, so my advice would be to do some job hunting immediately. Like now. People talk of this "social science research" jobs, but I couldnt find any and I LIVED in DC for a year AND have an applicable degree.

So I would look for a job now, and see if you can find something. You also have to think about this economically. This strategy is being utilized by other people in your situation. There are less people with good MA offers than there are just trying to find a research job for next year. And the job market stinks.

So if I was you, I look for a job until the last day you can and then if you do not have a list of 50 jobs (you may get like 5 interviews), take it or a local MA.

Edited April 19, 2013 by TheMarketMan

[brandnewtothis]

Thank you for the replies everyone.

I'm honestly really nervous about this choice. If I get funding at a PhD program I got into, I'll definitely take that.

The thing is, the CIR I got is totally unfunded, which means I'm looking at $60,000 debt. For something that only gives me a chance at a good PhD and a really small chance at a job, that is insane, especially for just one year.

Does anyone know what kind of job prospects you can get with CIR if let's say I had to work for a year in between applying and finishing the program?

It seems like MAPSS would be more valuable for that since it's all methodology, so I'm not sure what kind of job you could really get with CIR.

Does anyone have any advice or recommendations for that? There are four fields and I'm looking at 1. IR Theory and Security and 2. IPE.

[brandnewtothis]

I'm still completely torn... If they had a real placement list (including public and private sector jobs) I would be more at ease.

Just a couple days away and undecided ARGH.