Thoughts on safety schools

[philstudent1991]

So I'm doing what probably most people here are doing: applying to top 25 schools and a few MAs. I have, however, been advised to apply to one or two lower ranked PhDs as "safeties" (as if there were such a thing). I don't know, at the end of the day, if I would go to such a program, provided that I got in at a reputable MA...and it seems unlikely that I would get into the PhD but not the MA anyway (we are still talkin top 35ish).

 

At the end of the day, no one can make the decision but me (unfortunately), but I'm wondering what others are doing. Are you guys that are applying to top Phds and MAs also applying to lower ranked Phds, in the strange event that you don't get in to MA or top Phd but do get in at a lower ranked phd? Any thoughts?

 

Thanks.

[MattDest]

I applied to a few schools that are fairly low ranked (UConn, Mizzou, Rice, UIC) and I would certainly go to all of them. They are all good departments. I think U Conn especially is too low-ranked for the quality of their faculty. 

 

If you can't see yourself going to the program over any of the MA programs you apply to - then I wouldn't apply there. But look at the placement records of some of the schools you are considering, and whether or not you would like to work with the faculty there. If I remember right, your main AOI is meta-ethics. You might consider looking at the gourmet in that area and looking at the lower ranked programs that are highly rated in that area (UC Davis, Nebraska, etc.). 

[philstudent1991]

You're right, my AOI is meta ethics thanks for your input. I guess it's just a tough question of which I would go to if I had a choice: top 30-40 PhD or top 5 MA hoping for top 10 top 25 phd later down the road. I don't know what I would pick if that was a decision I ended up with.

[Philhopeful]

I have a few lower ranked phd programs on my list, but nowhere that doesn't have a good placement record. If I only got into those and good MA programs though, I'd definitely go for the MA with the hope of getting into a top program from there. 

[Hopephily]

I think it's a good idea to apply to at least some lower ranking programs provided they are reasonably strong in relation to some of your interests.  There is one lower ranker (PRG) school that was not really on my radar before, but the more I learned about the program (and spoke with current students) the more I became interested in it.  I wouldn't say it's a top choice, but I'd seriously consider going if I got accepted.  

[maxhgns]

There's no point applying anywhere that isn't a serious contender for you. You're going to have a miserable time on the job market pretty much no matter what, so there's no point sucking it up for six to ten years in the hopes that things will get better long-term. They probably won't. So only apply to places you would actually care to attend.

 

 

 

On UConn: they went on a hiring blitz after the last PGR ranking. Everyone expects they'll make a significant gain next year, when the new PGR comes out. Like, jumping up twenty spots or more kind of significant.

[wandajune]

I'm applying to some top 25, a few ranked 50-25, and a couple MA programs. I would probably go to a lower ranked PhD program over an MA if I get a better funded offer.