drownsoda Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Just out of curiosity. I've seen all the PhD responses filtering through here, but was wondering if there are any fellow MA applicants lurking about? I still haven't heard back from any of the schools, which I believe is normal given the MA deadlines were each about a month later than the PhD deadlines (which I believe is standard). Watching all of the results pour in for the PhD students is exciting and terrifying for me because I feel like I'm at the very end of the line here!
pannpann Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 I applied to 7 PhD programs and one MA as a back up (UVM). They offer teaching fellowships so I thought it would be a solid plan b if I don't get into the other programs. I'm avoiding paying for grad school because my undergrad loans are so high. What programs did you apply to? How much importance did you put on funding and faculty (since having a POI isn't the same as a doctoral program)? TeaOverCoffee 1
drownsoda Posted February 16, 2015 Author Posted February 16, 2015 (edited) I only applied to a small handful of programs; two on the east coast (Fordham and NYU) and a couple on the west coast (U Washington, Oregon). I am hoping I could get even a shred of funding supposing I get into any of them, but if not I wouldn't be opposed to taking out loans as I only am in debt $11k from my undergrad. I paid off my first two years of school and was able to get grants which helped quite a bit with the rest, so I'm not in terrible debt over my bachelor's, fortunately. I guess we'll see what happens within the next several weeks. Fordham is my dream school and I'd probably take any offer they threw at me, funded or not. I started this thread though because, for whatever reason, I never really paid attention to the fact that almost everyone on here was applying for PhD programs— I suddenly felt like the odd one out just shooting for my MA. I know PhD programs are notoriously selective, more than most Master's programs, at least so I've heard. I'm sure there are exceptions. I'm quite frankly a nervous wreck right now due to the anticipation, but I think we all are. Best of luck to you, and some resolution here soon for all of us! Edited February 16, 2015 by drownsoda
cjmullis Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 I applied to 6 top PhD programs without really expecting to get into them, and three MAs: Georgetown, Wake Forest, and Villanova. I expect to hear from Georgetown and Wake in about three weeks based on previous years. I don't know about Villanova because their deadline is so late, but I'm visiting campus tomorrow so maybe I'll know more then.
emily.rose Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 I actually thought about starting a thread just for this reason, drownsoda! There are a lot of similarities between applying for PhD programs and for MA programs, but there are also a lot of significant differences too. Most of my applications were due February 1, so I'm not expecting to hear back from anywhere until mid-March at the earliest. I applied to 5 MA programs, most with funding options and two that are in my state and would therefore be a bit cheaper. I had started thinking about applying to PhD programs last year, but I want to be able to get into the best possible PhD program I can, which I don't feel I would be able to right now. I hadn't started thinking about going to grad school for English Lit until late into my senior year, so two years in a MA program sounds like a great way to narrow my research interests, get my GRE scores higher, and learn a lot more theory (I feel like my undergrad education was probably lacking in critical theory). But yeah, thanks so much for starting this thread! I felt the same way you did like I was a bit of an outsider amidst all the PhD applicants on these boards, even though they are all very lovely people! Dr. Old Bill 1
emily.rose Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Oh and pann pann, I applied to UVM as well! Looks like they have a great program. I'm from Virginia though, so I don't know how I'd be able to survive the arctic temperatures
pannpann Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Oh and pann pann, I applied to UVM as well! Looks like they have a great program. I'm from Virginia though, so I don't know how I'd be able to survive the arctic temperatures Right? I'm from the Hudson Valley so we get quite a bit of cold (it was -2 yesterday, but that's more exception than norm) and I can't imagine being somewhere even colder! It looks like such a great program though, I think I could handle it for two years. And drownsoda, I went to NYU for undergrad (hence the debt) and the faculty are just phenomenal. Good luck to everybody though! It's hard seeing everyone getting decisions, knowing the MA programs won't respond for another month or so!
cjmullis Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 I had started thinking about applying to PhD programs last year, but I want to be able to get into the best possible PhD program I can, which I don't feel I would be able to right now. This is what I'm trying to do. I want to get into a top PhD program, and I'm going to try to use a good MA as a stepping stone to get there.
empress-marmot Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Hello! I applied to a mixture of MAs and PhDs. Don't worry about those late deadlines--sometimes programs notify applicants who qualify for fellowships early. I don't have any evidence to back me up on this, but I'm seeing a trend in PhD applicants with MAs. (At least on the GradCafe.) While I will swear to my dying day that I would have been the most awesome PhD student ever at the three programs who've rejected me so far, I think PhD adcomms might lean towards applicants with MAs (evidence of determination, scholarship, standing in the field). I've learned so much about the admissions process from this forum, and in two years I hope I can dazzle adcomms with my...um, dazzling awesomeness. It's nice to have a thread for MAs. What're you all studying? cjmullis 1
slightlymoreanonymous Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Yay MA friends! I applied for a mix of PhD and MA programs, but it's now looking like I'll be definitely going the MA route and applying to doctoral programs in two years. I actually don't have student debt (praise God) and so far have received a few fully-funded teaching assistantships, so I'm not unduly fussed about spending a few extra years working towards a masters. It would've been nice to get into a direct-enrollment PhD program, but I feel like it would be more difficult to face the job market getting out of school at 25 as compared to being a little older and having more teaching/professional experience. (Or at least that's how I'm justifying it to myself.) Haha and I'm with y'all on the anxiety of waiting! I just want to know my options and move past this uncertainty! And Empress-marmot, I'm hoping to work in the intersections of rhetoric and economics, particularly within the digital humanities. What about y'all?
TeaOverCoffee Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Hi, guys! I've applied to six PhD programs and four masters. I've been rejected from Temple's PhD program but accepted to the MA program with no funding, so I ultimately had to decline that offer. With my undergraduate loans, there is no way I can afford to pay for an entire masters degree with loans; it's just not feasible for my situation. I just want one acceptance to any of the programs I've applied to, but I'm slowly losing hope. I have three rejections and two implied rejections so far. I expect to be rejected from two other programs, so I'm banking on good news from one of the three remaining schools. I'm the epitome of a tragic car accident right now. Everyone backs away from me but continues to stare. Frankly, I'm pitiful at the moment, and with this impending ice storm (what the south considers an ice storm anyway), I'm going to stay indoors and indulge in chocolate and other unhealthy food, which I will undoubtably regret devouring once spring break arrives.
empress-marmot Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 I'm the epitome of a tragic car accident right now. Everyone backs away from me but continues to stare. Frankly, I'm pitiful at the moment, and with this impending ice storm (what the south considers an ice storm anyway), I'm going to stay indoors and indulge in chocolate and other unhealthy food, which I will undoubtably regret devouring once spring break arrives. I'm giving you a mental hug right now, TeaOverCoffee. An incredibly comforting mental hug. A mental hug which tastes (in case you feel like synesthesia) like the first time you bit into a Dove dark chocolate promise. And also, a mental cup of tea. I deal with my rejections by drinking a gin-and-tonic with too much gin and writing my Feminist Romance Novel. If chocolate and unhealthy food works for you, then don't feel guilty about it. And you have all of us here, if you need to talk.
slightlymoreanonymous Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 I'm the epitome of a tragic car accident right now. Everyone backs away from me but continues to stare. Frankly, I'm pitiful at the moment, and with this impending ice storm (what the south considers an ice storm anyway), I'm going to stay indoors and indulge in chocolate and other unhealthy food, which I will undoubtably regret devouring once spring break arrives. Hang in there, teaovercoffee! This process is miserable (like ice storms..eek!) but you're going to make it through it!
iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 Hi guys! I think the MA plan is a good plan. Its amazing how much you can accomplish with the affordances that a good program provides. I won't get into a "competitive" "funding" "job market" "tier (1/2/3)" discussion because you can click almost anywhere on this site and get that stuff. But I will say that I feel that I've benefited a lot from my program. I've learned "the language". I've mastered a few search terms. And I'm doing work that I enjoy. Best of luck to all of y'all. May the odds be ever in your favor!
1Q84 Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 Sending you hugs, TeaOverCoffee! As the refrain goes around here, it ain't over til it's over. You really have no idea what may come of your last 5 applications, so don't start beating yourself up needlessly yet (I know, easier said than done). Hi guys! I think the MA plan is a good plan. Its amazing how much you can accomplish with the affordances that a good program provides. I won't get into a "competitive" "funding" "job market" "tier (1/2/3)" discussion because you can click almost anywhere on this site and get that stuff. But I will say that I feel that I've benefited a lot from my program. I've learned "the language". I've mastered a few search terms. And I'm doing work that I enjoy. Best of luck to all of y'all. May the odds be ever in your favor! 100% agreed. Couldn't be happier with my MA program and I feel a million times more prepared for a Ph.D. program now for the same reasons: learned "the language" and expanded so much my own breadth of interest and knowledge. I finally established my love of cultural studies and couldn't be happier! Unless anyone here is on a super tight timeline to get into a Ph.D. program and done, I would be very happy with an MA acceptance!
TeaOverCoffee Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 Haha. I reread today what I wrote, and I'm sorry I sounded so awful, guys. I had a momentary lapse. I'm completely fine today and tomorrow, I think. However, I greatly appreciate all of the support! You guys are the best!
Dr. Old Bill Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 Haha. I reread today what I wrote, and I'm sorry I sounded so awful, guys. I had a momentary lapse. I'm completely fine today and tomorrow, I think. However, I greatly appreciate all of the support! You guys are the best! It's alright! I think all of us mass-rejectees have had our moments here. I know I sure have... TeaOverCoffee 1
emily.rose Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 I'm wondering how much it matters where you get your MA when applying to PhD programs. I applied to programs all over, including a couple near where I live that aren't necessarily very competitive. I'm hoping that the faculty, research facilities, and good ole' hard work will help me get into a top PhD program eventually, but I'm worried that going from a fairly prestigious undergrad institution to an under-the-radar MA program will be looked on unfavorably.
pannpann Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 I'm wondering how much it matters where you get your MA when applying to PhD programs. I applied to programs all over, including a couple near where I live that aren't necessarily very competitive. I'm hoping that the faculty, research facilities, and good ole' hard work will help me get into a top PhD program eventually, but I'm worried that going from a fairly prestigious undergrad institution to an under-the-radar MA program will be looked on unfavorably. I'm concerned about this same thing. Especially seeing so many acceptances on GC where they list a MA GPA of 4.0 and great GRE scores. Obviously those aren't everything, but they are usually not the worst indicators of why an applicant wasn't chosen. The name of a school matters so much in academia. I wonder if there's any way to outweigh a not-stellar MA university. Publications? Stellar GREs? I think LOR, SOP and writing samples are probably the most important parts of an application, but what if your choice of school doesn't even warrant a glance at those more personal attributes? I really don't know what to tell you, expecting a shut out from my PhD. programs and crossing my fingers for admittance to UVM with a fellowship, I'm in the same boat and unsure of how to proceed. (Especially since my scenario is largely hypothetical at this point in time.)
Ramus Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 (edited) I'm concerned about this same thing. Especially seeing so many acceptances on GC where they list a MA GPA of 4.0 and great GRE scores. Obviously those aren't everything, but they are usually not the worst indicators of why an applicant wasn't chosen. The name of a school matters so much in academia. Working backwards: 1) Yes, names matter, but prestige is a little more complicated than that. If you buy your prestige through an unfunded MA at a top institution, your degree in no way guarantees your admission to a top-ranked PhD program. Similarly, if you did your MA at a lower/unranked school, and you absolutely killed it there, you have a good shot at getting into a top-20. 2) GRE scores matter. You need to study for the test. Retake it until you get a score above 163/164ish. Even if, as has been said repeatedly on this site, GRE scores are stupid/evil/ineffective measures of graduate school success, you still need to dominate the test to get into a top program. Bite the bullet and commit to improving your score. 3) Don't worry about all the 4.0 MA GPAs. Grades in graduate school are in no way comparable to undergrad. Virtually everyone gets a 3.8 or above, and I'd say more than half of students get a 4.0. Programs know this (for they are no different in this respect), and thus aren't shocked to see perfect MA GPAs. I'd say that you shouldn't worry too much about that. If you end up in an MA program, chances are your grades will be perfect too. Edited February 18, 2015 by Ramus
Dr. Old Bill Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 Working backwards: 2) GRE scores matter. You need to study for the test. Retake it until you get a score above 163/164ish. Even if, as has said repeatedly on this site, GRE scores are stupid/evil/ineffective measures of graduate school success, you still need to dominate the test to get into a top program. Bite the bullet and commit to improving your score. Honestly, this needs to be repeated here more and more. It's my biggest regret, not taking the GRE again. It IS a horrid, non-indicative waste of four hours, $200, and millions of brain cells, but I think it matters more than we'd like to believe. I have nothing to back this up but instinct...instinct, and consistent attention to the scores of accepted students. Like it or not, it matters.
Cc1213 Posted February 19, 2015 Posted February 19, 2015 I only applied to MA programs, and just received an acceptance phone call today. The funny thing is that this school's application deadline hasn't even passed (it is March 1), so it was a surprise hearing back so early.
empress-marmot Posted February 19, 2015 Posted February 19, 2015 I only applied to MA programs, and just received an acceptance phone call today. The funny thing is that this school's application deadline hasn't even passed (it is March 1), so it was a surprise hearing back so early. Congratulations on your acceptance! And congratulations on a pre-deadline acceptance!
Cc1213 Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 (edited) ^^^^^ Thank you! It's a wonderful confidence booster - I'll need it as I eagerly await responses from other schools. Edited February 20, 2015 by Cc1213
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