UNM? BC?

[Euromaniac]

Hello,

 

I was wondering if anyone had any "insider info" on the programs at University of New Mexico and Boston College. I got into both MA programs and am leaning towards UNM, but would appreciate any advice (I plan on speaking to graduate students and professors from both departments as well, obviously).

[sar1906]

Hello,

 

I was wondering if anyone had any "insider info" on the programs at University of New Mexico and Boston College. I got into both MA programs and am leaning towards UNM, but would appreciate any advice (I plan on speaking to graduate students and professors from both departments as well, obviously).

When did you hear from UNM? Is it a funded position?

[Euromaniac]

When did you hear from UNM? Is it a funded position?

I heard from them about two weeks ago (the letter is dated 2/24). It's not funded, but occasionally MA students get work as graders. Financially it's pretty viable, however.

[sar1906]

I heard from them about two weeks ago (the letter is dated 2/24). It's not funded, but occasionally MA students get work as graders. Financially it's pretty viable, however.

 

OK.  What are your areas of interest and have you looked at the placement for each program?

[Euromaniac]

OK.  What are your areas of interest and have you looked at the placement for each program?

My interests are in 19th and 20th century continental, especially Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Derrida. With that said, I'm pretty broadly interested. Iain Thomson seems like a perfect fit for me, and several people at UNM seem great (Ann Murphy, Adrian Johnston, Paul Livingston, etc.). BC I understand to have a higher pedigree, and there are some people I'd be very interested in working with (Richard Kearney especially comes to mind), but I've not heard the best things about their MA program in particular. I'm not looking so much for information about fit with faculty members as much as the grad school culture. I've talked to a student and Ann Murphy at UNM, and it sounds great, but I've yet to hear from BC despite the fact that I've tried contacting a couple of people.

[ianfaircloud]

My interests are in 19th and 20th century continental, especially Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Derrida. With that said, I'm pretty broadly interested. Iain Thomson seems like a perfect fit for me, and several people at UNM seem great (Ann Murphy, Adrian Johnston, Paul Livingston, etc.). BC I understand to have a higher pedigree, and there are some people I'd be very interested in working with (Richard Kearney especially comes to mind), but I've not heard the best things about their MA program in particular. I'm not looking so much for information about fit with faculty members as much as the grad school culture. I've talked to a student and Ann Murphy at UNM, and it sounds great, but I've yet to hear from BC despite the fact that I've tried contacting a couple of people.

 

Two very different choices for MA progs. Who did you contact at BC? Recommend that you try the grad chair-- tell that person that you reached out to a few people and didn't hear replies. Gotta say that it looks VERY bad on an MA program when the program (or its students) isn't responsive to attempts at communication. That looks very, very bad. It's a red flag. Maybe there are good reasons that you didn't hear replies. Maybe you contacted the only non-responsive people, or maybe they weren't responsive for good reasons (e.g. wrong email address, thrown into Spam folder, out of the country and away from email, etc.). But there's a prima facie case against going to an MA program whose faculty and students aren't responsive.

Edited March 16, 2015 by ianfaircloud

[DontFly]

My interests are in 19th and 20th century continental, especially Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Derrida. With that said, I'm pretty broadly interested. Iain Thomson seems like a perfect fit for me, and several people at UNM seem great (Ann Murphy, Adrian Johnston, Paul Livingston, etc.). BC I understand to have a higher pedigree, and there are some people I'd be very interested in working with (Richard Kearney especially comes to mind), but I've not heard the best things about their MA program in particular. I'm not looking so much for information about fit with faculty members as much as the grad school culture. I've talked to a student and Ann Murphy at UNM, and it sounds great, but I've yet to hear from BC despite the fact that I've tried contacting a couple of people.

This might just be repeating some of your own thoughts, but I think the climate at an MA is more important than the people you work with (i.e., their academic reputation and fit), because MA programs tend to be short and mostly focused on acquiring knowledge and skills already in philosophy, rather than really generating new knowledge with a supervisor. Most, if not all, philosophers possess the skills you're trying to learn. Finding someone who's willing to spend time teaching you is more important than someone who's brilliant but doesn't bother with you. So, I'm with Ian on not responding being a really bad sign.

[sar1906]

This might just be repeating some of your own thoughts, but I think the climate at an MA is more important than the people you work with (i.e., their academic reputation and fit), because MA programs tend to be short and mostly focused on acquiring knowledge and skills already in philosophy, rather than really generating new knowledge with a supervisor. Most, if not all, philosophers possess the skills you're trying to learn. Finding someone who's willing to spend time teaching you is more important than someone who's brilliant but doesn't bother with you. So, I'm with Ian on not responding being a really bad sign.

 

Definitely.  As far as pedigree goes, it speaks to the public image of the program, but the public image is one thing, while the concrete life of the program is another completely.  Looking at the placement records of each program would help clarify the differences.  Are you looking to continue on to a PhD?

[DontFly]

Definitely.  As far as pedigree goes, it speaks to the public image of the program, but the public image is one thing, while the concrete life of the program is another completely.  Looking at the placement records of each program would help clarify the differences.  Are you looking to continue on to a PhD?

That's the plan!

 

It's a quite interesting situation for me. On the one hand, I'm going on campus visits and am getting recruited. On the other hand, I have also been helping my MA department to recruit others. It's interesting to be on both sides at the same time.

[Euromaniac]

Two very different choices for MA progs. Who did you contact at BC? Recommend that you try the grad chair-- tell that person that you reached out to a few people and didn't hear replies. Gotta say that it looks VERY bad on an MA program when the program (or its students) isn't responsive to attempts at communication. That looks very, very bad. It's a red flag. Maybe there are good reasons that you didn't hear replies. Maybe you contacted the only non-responsive people, or maybe they weren't responsive for good reasons (e.g. wrong email address, thrown into Spam folder, out of the country and away from email, etc.). But there's a prima facie case against going to an MA program whose faculty and students aren't responsive.

The person I attempted to contact was the graduate chair. I don't want to be too alarmist, however--it's possible they're on Spring Break, or flooded with eMails at this time, so I'll try to get into contact with more people. I agree with you, however, that it's a bit of a red flag, especially with what I've heard so far. I'll definitely keep trying at this point.

 

EDIT: I should also mention that I contacted a Ph.D student with similar interests who went through the MA program, but we've been unable to set up a time as of yet.

 

Definitely.  As far as pedigree goes, it speaks to the public image of the program, but the public image is one thing, while the concrete life of the program is another completely.  Looking at the placement records of each program would help clarify the differences.  Are you looking to continue on to a PhD?

Yes, I am definitely looking to continue on to a Ph.D. The people I contacted at UNM had placement rates for the MA program that were really excellent, getting into programs like DePaul, Stony Brook, and Emory fairly consistently. Like I mentioned, I haven't been able to get into contact with the people at BC just yet.

 

Honestly, at this point I'm leaning towards UNM because the people I'd like to work with more closely align with my interests and what I've gleaned so far about the graduate school climate (as well as their placement being pretty stellar), but I know that at this point I've only really spoken to people from there. I also know that BC is on the east coast and so has greater proximity to conferences and networking opportunities.

Edited March 16, 2015 by Euromaniac

[ineedwine]

I am also considering going to BC. I emailed the chair as well, but never got a response. However I emailed a PhD student and she got back to me right away, directed me to the best MA student to speak to, and also forwarded my female-environment concerns to all of the female students for their input. The students at least were extremely helpful and super inviting. I didn't try any other professors, I am assuming the chair is busy for whatever reason. 

I PM-d you with that MA student's email, Euromaniac, if you are interested.