NYU General Psychology masters - thoughts?

[Jenny1992]

Hello,

I have just received an admittance email from NYU's general psychology MA program. I would like to know more about this program from those who are part of it or have completed this program. How was your experience? Were you happy while you were in this program? Do you feel like this program helped you on reaching your goals?

I apologize for the vague questions but I really wanted to hear your honest thoughts. 

Thanks and let me know if you have any questions for me.

[FeelTheBern]

1 hour ago, Jenny1992 said:

How was your experience? Were you happy while you were in this program? Do you feel like this program helped you on reaching your goals?

Unfortunately, I can't answer most of your questions, however, I thought that you might be interested to know that a student who was studying for her MA in Psychology from NYU (graduating in Spring 2016) was invited to the NYU interview day for Prospective PhD students. So, I think this shows that some of the MA students are definitely receiving experience that makes them competitive at the PhD level.

How many MA students apply to PhD programs and are admitted? I'm not sure. Their website gives a great deal of info, so definitely check that out if you haven't yet, also, you can try and contact the Psychology department and see if they will release the outcomes of their students after they graduate with their MA (they may not have this information though). Below is also a thread from 2010 with basically this exact same question that you might be interested in looking through! There's some good info on it!

ps...if you do decide to attend, my SO will most likely see you there!

http://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/11824-nyu-general-psychology-ma-program/#comment-141695

Edited March 4, 2016 by FeelTheBern

[lewin]

I was also admitted to that program in lieu of PhD acceptance. At the time the tuition was $25,000/year with no possibility of funding and (it sounded) limited access to faculty supervision. Unless you're independently wealthy and don't have other options, I wouldn't recommend it.

[WillComeTrue]

I also got an email notifying me of admission this week to their MA program, instead of their PhD program to which I applied.
Given that I already have an MA from another school, taking this offer seemed very silly, so I turned down the offer, hoping this would allow other potential waitlisted students. Although the program sounds great, it will cost a lot to complete the program if you don't have a scholarship along the offer. If this is the only option which you don't mind paying for your education and also really in need for a MA degree, I'd say go for it. Otherwise, I don't think it would be the best option you'd have as a step for the PhD programs.

[buttercup8d]

Unless you were not a psych undergrad, I would recommend against it.

Basically, the program is a cash cow for NYU. Everyone rejected from the PhD program is automatically accepted to the MA program (I went to NYU undergrad and one of the faculty told me this)

Edited March 17, 2016 by buttercup8d

[Plasticity]

On 3/17/2016 at 8:08 PM, buttercup8d said:

Unless you were not a psych undergrad, I would recommend against it.

Basically, the program is a cash cow for NYU. Everyone rejected from the PhD program is automatically accepted to the MA program (I went to NYU undergrad and one of the faculty told me this)

Or your undergrad GPA/record is less than optimal for programs you plan on applying to in the future and you need to show your capabilities (and I'm sure there are cheaper places to do this). Don't just go because you have no other options or are unsure what you want to do in the future. I attended a master's program because even though my GPA was decent, I had a spotty undergrad record (semesters off, part time enrollment, etc.) and believed I needed to show I could quickly bang out a master's degree and thesis. 

[lovemc]

Seems the faculty supervision is very limited, I'm trying to ask about the possibility of getting involved in a certain lab before I make a decision. But I really get frustrated to get in touch with the faculty at NYU. Any tips about how to reach the PIs for international student, except emails?

Edited March 26, 2016 by lovemc

[melisd]

On 3/3/2016 at 3:10 PM, Jenny1992 said:

Hello,

I have just received an admittance email from NYU's general psychology MA program. I would like to know more about this program from those who are part of it or have completed this program. How was your experience? Were you happy while you were in this program? Do you feel like this program helped you on reaching your goals?

I apologize for the vague questions but I really wanted to hear your honest thoughts. 

Thanks and let me know if you have any questions for me.

Hey! @Jenny1992

I was wondering whether you accepted the offer or not. I am currently on the waitlist for this program's Social/Consumer Track. They told me to wait until May 1st to hear back but it's really nerve racking to wait without knowing anything about my likelihood of getting accepted. 

[HopefullyDr]

Hello,

I'm currently in the MA Psychology program at NYU. There are incredible resources available here and also the opportunities for research experience and sponsorship is great. Most of the people in my program studied psychology for their undergrad and are working towards publishing as much as possible through the university.  I was rejected from the Ph.D program and was offered the MA and quickly accepted.  I have no debt from my undergrad degree so the cost of the student loans wasn't too scary for me.  Several of my classmates have been accepted into PhD programs for social (at University of Florida), neuroscience (UC-Davis), and some even medical school (Northwestern).  I'm also planning to apply for doctoral programs in the fall and this program has already strengthened my application for research experience and networking.  There's no doubt that it is expensive, but my application needed a boost, and I also wanted the two years to sharpen my academic skills before applying to a doctoral program again.  

Edited April 27, 2016 by elenabuena13