Part time/full time as reflecting upon academic abilities and potential?

[Imaginary]

Because I have been working a full time job or one or more part time jobs the eentire time I have been doing my M.A. (and due to financial difficulties) I have never gone more than part time. This semester I could use scholarship money to go full time but will probably drop one class for various reasons. Does going part time reflect badly upon an applicant to PhD programs?

[jamc8383]

Not necessarily; as long as its contextualized somehow within your application package (i.e.; in the SOP, personal statement, etc).  Yale, for instance, requests that you upload a 500 word explication on "gaps" in your education, which could be a good way to frame this to your advantage.  You could even have a recommender touch on it in their LOR.  What's important is that you take the initiative to frame it; failing that the adcomm will be left to make their own assumptions.  There are so many variables in the application process, but by and large, you can control your narrative.