Which school should i go to ?

[theremustbeaway]

I am starting an M.A in gender studies in my country.

 

If my situation allows I want to do my phD in philosophy or psychology depending on the paper I will get to write.

 

I'll  have to narrow my interests and study in a deeper level.

 

The reason why I am studying gender studies in my country is because I want to participate in some feminist activism that is going around in my country.

 

And also I want to try applying feminism studies in the sociocultural circumstances of here. (  I am interested in cultural studies, queer theory, and sexual violations)

h

Also my gpa was very low , and my financial situation  was not that good enough to directly apply to M.A programs in the states. (My GPA is about 2.5/4.0 in English Literature, I won a excellence award from an academy workshop with studies in feminism and I have won several writing contests in school and received scholarships with writings about gender issues.  ; I know  these cant cover up my gpa but just hoping that these could show my interest in gender studies)

 

 

However the gender studies programs in my countries is not that decent.

Both schools are a cooperative process and there is only one head professor in each program.

 

"A" school is the school I graduated. this school is an decent school in my country I know the head professor and have took her course in my undergraduate year. There is no phD course in this program. And there are about 5 students studying.

Comparatively, there are lots of humanities courses opened. Like literature and feminism or cultural theories and studies. There are  full scholarship which goes around fairly turn by turn to every student.

The program is very small, and the financial stated of this program is not that strong yet the professor is very cooperative and open, more like friendly. I won't get much help maybe, but I feel that at least 

I could study freely whatever I want to. the professor also tries hard to open courses which students wishes to study.

 

"B" school  is the 1st tier school in our country. But to be honest, I don't think they have the best program in gender studies in our country. Besides all the programs are extremely small and students have to study almost by themselves anyway. This school has no scholarship and I heard that in many ways the professor is very demanding and unfair. There are about 10 students including students in their phD.  This school seems more active but somehow I am worried that I won't get along  with the only professor in this program very well. The professor does not accept students opinions in opening courses and etc. In the interview instead of asking or commenting about my interests or writings, I felt like the professor was very disrespectful. Still, phD students here often participate in relatively big research projects funded by the government. But they are more concentrating in public policies or things that the head professor is currently interested in. The students don't seems to feel satisfied in the contents of the courses.  I read some papers by students who graduated this school and found it interesting.  But nearly no student prepare to study abroad. students usually graduate late because there is too many work load other than studying.and there is this somewhat a little authoritative atmosphere. 

 

I have  to choose the school by this month and just  cant make my mind. 

Which school sounds better?

Edited January 9, 2015 by theremustbeaway

[AnxiousUrbanPlanner]

I'd ask your professor in school A where master's graduates go for PhD's. If the majority of those students go to school B, then I'd definitely choose A because of the scholarship potential. If, however, none of the grad students from A go on for PhD's, I'd be more hesitant and probably go to school B.

 

Just out of curiosity, are you in Singapore?

[theremustbeaway]

I'd ask your professor in school A where master's graduates go for PhD's. If the majority of those students go to school B, then I'd definitely choose A because of the scholarship potential. If, however, none of the grad students from A go on for PhD's, I'd be more hesitant and probably go to school B.

 

Just out of curiosity, are you in Singapore?

no not Singapore

 

by the way I'm thinking about declining from both programs. 

[Chubberubber]

Decline only if you have a good job offer outside academia, and/ or if you're concidering going abroad for graduate school after all. 

In any other case- why would you decline?

As for your question- It all comes down to whether you want to have a career in academia or not. Sounds like you like school "A" a lot better, and unless you want an academic career (for which you must have a PhD) then I can't think of a reason to choose school "B".