Incomplete Second MA

[Fobe]

Hi all,

 

I've been reading here for a while, new to posting though. I have a question I'd appreciate some input on.

I finished my undergrad in history in 2010, then immediately went on to an MA at a very good school, also in history, which I completed in 2011.  I've since taken time off of school.

 

I've just started working on a second MA, this time in Interdisciplinary Humanities.  The reasons for a second MA are three-fold: first, when I was working on my first MA, I had some pretty hardcore family issues come up, so my marks suffered.  They weren't terrible by any means, but I don't think good enough to make me competitive for PhD programs, at least not my top choices.  Second, interdisciplinarity is huge in history, so I figure it can only help to complete this program.  And third, I'm not in a position to move to any of the cities in which I can do my PhD at this point, and, frankly, I was missing school something fierce!  I needed to get doing something!

 

The program I'm in now is a 2-year program, and the school is fairly small so the funding I'm receiving doesn't even fully cover tuition.  This year I am getting OGS (a $15,000 scholarship - Ontario students will know!), but next year it's not guaranteed.  And even if I do get OGS again next year, that will bring my total years of government-funded programs to 3 (I received SSHRC for my first MA).  Given that there's a limit to the total number of years you can receive gov funding (either 4 or 6, I don't remember), and I am hoping to be awarded SSHRC for PhD, I don't know that I *want* to get OGS again next year.  Without that funding, though, I'd have to get OSAP to cover my tuition costs, and, frankly, I do NOT want more student debt.

 

So, my question is: since I already have a completed MA, which would cover the admission requirements for a PhD program, if I complete this year of this new program but then don't complete the program, what do you think would be the chances of getting into a PhD program when the time comes that I do apply?  If I get good marks this year and bring up my average, will that help? Or will the unfinished degree make me look too unreliable?  I'll likely suck it up and finish the program with OSAP if I need to, but it's nice to know what all my options are.

Thanks for any input!

[Guest |||]

You indicate one point of getting a second MA is that during your first MA you didn't get very competitive grades.  So if you abandon the second MA, it seems this point will still likely stand - in that you didn't end an MA with a strong finish.  It might potentially make your application worse by seeming a bit wishy washy.

 

 

But I think the biggest factor will be how you phrase and discuss the matter.  If you tell people I decided mid-program to switch over, this could tell admission comittees you don't really know what you want, and worse yet, indicate to supervisors that - Hey this student abandoned ship with a different supervisor, he might do so for me as well.

 

I'm not saying this is the case, but I am trying to highlight how important it will be how you discuss not having finished the MA you were accepted and funded for.

 

Ideally I'd advise you to try and finish your second MA, but if ideals are possible, try your best not to burn bridges and be cautious how you phrase things.

[lyrehc]

Definitely watch how you phrase things.

 

After my Master's I entered a certificate program in Communication.  I then decided to pursue a PhD in Communication rather than in Sociology like I thought I would.  Not completing the certificate program has not been a factor, because I was able to easily explain why I did not need the certificate.  

 

If Interdisciplinary Studies is not what you want to pursue your doctorate in, I think explaining your choice not to complete it could be fairly simple.