Comprehensive vs. Thesis Option

[emily.rose]

I'm not sure if this is a basic question or not, but when applying to Master's programs, which one is better to prepare for a future PhD program? I'm applying to Master's programs but want to continue onto get my PhD, but I'm unsure which one would look better for PhD admissions. I'm thinking thesis?

[ProfLorax]

This is an often asked question. Here's my standard answer: the only way a PhD admissions committee will know if you did a thesis is if you explicitly mention it in your SoP. Sure, a thesis course may pop up on the transcript, but given how differently different MA programs approach the thesis (depending on the program, it could be a portfolio, an article-length and quality essay, or an 80+ page thesis), the only way a PhD program would really know what your thesis entailed is if you bring it up in your SoP.

 

So, if we remove the "which would look better" element from the equation, we are left with the "which would prepare you better" element. A thesis could be a good experience to see if you enjoy sustained research and longer writing projects. It can help you connect better with professors who may be your letter writers. Depending on the required length, it could help you prepare your first publication. Comps could also be a helpful experience. You'll have to do comps in a PhD program, so you could view your MA comps as a practice round for your PhD comp exams (they'll be different, but you'll at least have experience with the format). Also, if you need to take the GRE Subject test for PhD applications, comps could help you study and prepare for that. 

 

Long story short: do what you think would best prepare you for PhD applications and study. Or, even better, do what you think you'll enjoy. Do you have a burning research question that deserves a whole semester of attention? Or are you thirsty for a broad understanding of literary studies and your field? Follow your heart, because honestly, you can frame either comps or thesis as positive experiences in your SoP for PhD applications. 

[BeatrizBear]

You get a choice in comps vs thesis? So lucky. I had to do both. I don't know if this helps, but I wrote my thesis on something related to my research interest because I hadn't majored in what I wanted to go into for my PhD so I felt that it would accurately show the admissions people my research goals.

[BeatrizBear]

This is an often asked question. Here's my standard answer: the only way a PhD admissions committee will know if you did a thesis is if you explicitly mention it in your SoP. Sure, a thesis course may pop up on the transcript, but given how differently different MA programs approach the thesis (depending on the program, it could be a portfolio, an article-length and quality essay, or an 80+ page thesis), the only way a PhD program would really know what your thesis entailed is if you bring it up in your SoP.

 

So, if we remove the "which would look better" element from the equation, we are left with the "which would prepare you better" element. A thesis could be a good experience to see if you enjoy sustained research and longer writing projects. It can help you connect better with professors who may be your letter writers. Depending on the required length, it could help you prepare your first publication. Comps could also be a helpful experience. You'll have to do comps in a PhD program, so you could view your MA comps as a practice round for your PhD comp exams (they'll be different, but you'll at least have experience with the format). Also, if you need to take the GRE Subject test for PhD applications, comps could help you study and prepare for that. 

 

Long story short: do what you think would best prepare you for PhD applications and study. Or, even better, do what you think you'll enjoy. Do you have a burning research question that deserves a whole semester of attention? Or are you thirsty for a broad understanding of literary studies and your field? Follow your heart, because honestly, you can frame either comps or thesis as positive experiences in your SoP for PhD applications. 

 

Don't some people put down their thesis on their CV?

[ProfLorax]

Don't some people put down their thesis on their CV?

Maybe? I didn't. But even if people do, my point was that the thesis option is usually listed in documents that don't garner much attention from adcomms (the transcript or CV). And even if one lists the thesis on the CV, it isn't clear if the thesis was a portfolio, a 25-page article-quality essay, or an 80+ page project. The thesis' usefulness in terms of applications really amounts to how one frames and describes the thesis in his/her SoP. So, emily.rose should really approach the "thesis or comps" question based on what she needs to feel like a stronger student, scholar, and candidate. 

[jhefflol]

I was told that the only difference between comps and thesis is that on the diploma, it will say "MA in ___ with thesis." That's it. I chose to do comps because I want to finish in 2 years. Comps while taking course work is manageable for me; thesis while doing coursework is not. Just be aware that, at least in my program, if you want to do a thesis, you have to get the process started during your first year. I didn't know what I wanted to write about in my first year. It's a little tricky. 

 

But as far as comps helping for the GRE subject test, I don't think this is the case unless you plan to take a year off in between graduating and applying for programs. The GRE is taken in the fall, comps are in the spring. I won't even know my comp questions until next semester, after my applications have been finished.

[queennight]

Not sure if this helps at all as I am coming from the Canadian/international perspective, but my Masters program is a one-year condensed course based program. What this means is a significant amount of crammed material over three semesters (and some brave students finish in two - I am not one of those able individuals). The reading is incredibly brutal.

 

In retrospect, coming from the perspective of someone who is taking the course work option, I wish that I had completed a two-year program, as it would have given me more breathing room to collect my thoughts into the professional direction I hope to take. I also feel (from discussions with friends at Western's MA program, for instance) that the thesis 2-year option gives students more ability to develop their skills. Also if you are in Canada, some two-years have nice funding packages (Queens pops into mind, by example, as well as Ottawa).

 

That being said, I am saving tuition money by only doing one year versus two years, but it would have been nice to have participated in a two-year program instead (and a funded one would have been even nicer). I opted for the name brand of UofT, but obviously that came with a price tag.

 

Also, in Canada, Ph.D.s are often required to have completed a Master's first, and personally I feel that many Canadian ad-comms would look favourably upon a thesis.