Red flag to have no letters from (in progress) MA?

[charl1e]

Hi there, trying to make a decision which MA program to go to, knowing that I plan to apply to top PhD programs the next year. Right now I am trying to decide between my undergrad institution and a different school. Differences in rank between the two schools is pretty minimal, but at the newer school I have a better funding offer (and its an external fellowship that will make it easier for me to get similar ones later), and more opportunities to take methods courses.

 

Basically, I am going to want to use 3 references from my undergrad institution no matter what because if applications are due in December, I want to ask my recommenders in October (at least). And also I want to ask people who've known me for a while. That really doesn't leave enough time to get to know a faculty member at a new institution well enough to feel comfortable getting their LOR, or at least I don't want to count on this.

 

So, that being said, should I stay at my undergrad institution for the MA just so that there is continuity with my letters (so they come from my current institution)? Would it look really bad to have no letters from an MA that I had just started months before apps were due, or is that relatively normal? I really do want to go to this different school, but keeping my plan in mind, I don't want to create issues for my PhD cycle.

 

Advice appreciated - thanks.

[happy little pill]

It looks a bit strange if you don't have at least one from your new institution is what I've been told - MAs here are two years but you apply for your second year MA funding to federal programs and even though professors have only known you for two months, you're expected to get at least one letter. You've been in their seminars for two months at that point and most of the time, they'll have graded you for something already - volunteer to do your reading presentation early or something.

 

Also, I don't think that you should determine your MA degree based on letters. If you're serious about applying to top PhD programs maybe make contact with your potential MA advisor over the summer, let them know of your intentions, and start to cultivate a relationship early.