MA Program Rankings

[puyple]

Yeah I went back and looked at their website, and Georgetown fully-funds half of their MA students.  My other current offer is only partially funded, and I'm waitlisted for the same program underwater is attending.  Either way, I wouldn't be in a fully-funded program.  Plus, I feel like the funded MA is an endangered species at this point, just from researching for this past admissions season.  I'm still speaking with someone at Georgetown to see what my options are financially, though.

[AnimeChic101!]

I actually attend a fully funded MA program at a pretty decent institution. This is great because I'm a good student but I'm broke (aren't we all, haha), and there was no way I could have taken on the debt of a graduate degree (I was about 80% funded via academic awards in undergrad as well). That being said, it is in the top 80 Countrywide but top 20 for New England (and that's when it's up against places like Harvard, MIT, BC, Williams etc). That program has given me a space to really find out and hone in on my area of study. I've been able to attend academic conferences and I am currently in the process of submitting a few articles to some top journals. It has been a great academic place for me. I agree with Rising Star, a MA is really what you make of it (same thing as undergrad).

[Romanista]

On 4/7/2016 at 2:24 PM, puyple said:

Plus, I feel like the funded MA is an endangered species at this point, just from researching for this past admissions season. 

I guess it depends on what you consider fully funded. If you mean an MA program that fully pays your tuition and offers a livable stipend (such that you won't have to take out loans), then yes there are few of those. If you mean an MA program that at least fully covers your tuition, then there are plenty of options. 

[puyple]

On 5/13/2016 at 1:10 PM, Romanista said:

I guess it depends on what you consider fully funded. If you mean an MA program that fully pays your tuition and offers a livable stipend (such that you won't have to take out loans), then yes there are few of those. If you mean an MA program that at least fully covers your tuition, then there are plenty of options. 

 

In using the analogy of an "endangered species" I'm also referring to the fact that funding has diminished over time and might continue the trend.  But yes, I'm aware that many fully-funded programs exist.