MAPSS UChicago - asking for funding?

[almondcreamer]

I've recently been rejected from several PhD programs in Psychology, and offered masters instead - including MAPSS at UChicago without funding. 

Overall, MAPSS is cheaper simply because it is one year. The fact that I have been rejected from all the PhD programs makes me sure that I am not ready to apply for a PhD program. It seems that even people who had negative things to say about MAPSS, still admitted they got fully funded PhD offers from top schools.

So, I've also heard that some people have been very successful at appealing the financial aid decisions, and I'm considering doing that. Without any aid, it's going to be about 70k to attend including living expenses, and tuition. I will not be receiving assistance from relatives.

 

What do you guys think? Is 1 year getting a masters from UChicago with a lot of debt better than 1-3 gap years working in a lab better my application for PhD programs? What are your experiences asking for more financial aid? I would really love to attend, but it's daunting without any assistance.

[rising_star]

1-3 years in a lab would be way better than $70K in debt. If you think about MAPSS, you will probably need a gap year after finishing because applying this fall wouldn't give you time to really improve your application. So, you're looking at one year working in a lab or something either way and, if that's the case, why take on the debt?

[almondcreamer]

2 minutes ago, rising_star said:

1-3 years in a lab would be way better than $70K in debt. If you think about MAPSS, you will probably need a gap year after finishing because applying this fall wouldn't give you time to really improve your application. So, you're looking at one year working in a lab or something either way and, if that's the case, why take on the debt?

True, although it would be better PhD offers with that kind of a masters under my belt (is what I'm thinking). Also would have to work to pay at least living expenses. Hoping the debt will actually be more like 56K or so (which is still definitely a lot). I appreciate the response, you might be right.

 

I think my best bet is if I can get financial assistance, otherwise it's too much. I don't know the likelihood of financial appeals being approved.

[rising_star]

Even if you can get some financial assistance, you're assuming that the main weakness in your application was coursework, rather than research experience. There's an entire thread on here dedicated to discussing MAPSS. From reading those posts, it seems like the one year program doesn't necessarily make you a better applicant, especially if what you need is more research experience since it's hard to get quality experience in such a short period of time. 

Think about it this way. Say you work and get financial assistance and take on "only" $40K in debt. If you had gotten a position as a research assistant or lab manager, you could've easily been making at least $30K. Thus, getting the master's from MAPSS is really costing you $70K PLUS you're not making any improvements to the research side of your application. Are you absolutely certain that getting more research experience wouldn't be enough to help you gain admission to a funded PhD program? Are you lacking in psychology coursework or statistics training?

[almondcreamer]

6 minutes ago, rising_star said:

Even if you can get some financial assistance, you're assuming that the main weakness in your application was coursework, rather than research experience. There's an entire thread on here dedicated to discussing MAPSS. From reading those posts, it seems like the one year program doesn't necessarily make you a better applicant, especially if what you need is more research experience since it's hard to get quality experience in such a short period of time. 

Think about it this way. Say you work and get financial assistance and take on "only" $40K in debt. If you had gotten a position as a research assistant or lab manager, you could've easily been making at least $30K. Thus, getting the master's from MAPSS is really costing you $70K PLUS you're not making any improvements to the research side of your application. Are you absolutely certain that getting more research experience wouldn't be enough to help you gain admission to a funded PhD program? Are you lacking in psychology coursework or statistics training?

I'm a transfer student, and I have worked in 4 labs, and two of them for 1 year and currently still in them. I am almost done with my senior thesis, and I also have a ton of extra curricular (started a club, volunteered with various programs). Not sure how much the extracurricular counts? I don't know how much more research experience I could have had straight out of undergraduate, but I'm assuming they want you to work a couple years in a lab, and get published or have your name mentioned, is that the idea? I don't know what my application is lacking otherwise. Higher GPA, higher GRE scores? (Thank you by the way)

[AboAbochitoAboba]

Write a one page letter addressed to the Managing Director (name/email is on your admission letter to MAPSS) stating any accomplishments (scholastic or other relevant info) not highlighted in your statement of purpose as a petition for funding, even if they have already given you some funding. This is what I was advised by them when I called them and asked them. BTW, I also didn't get admitted into the Ph.D. program I applied to (Anthro) at UChi or anywhere else (still waiting for two other schools, though) and this is how I then got offered a seat into MAPSS. Even with the funding they have offered me I am still struggling with the idea of taking out huge loans for an MA. Hope this helps and good luck on all your plans and dreams.

[Van MtCristo]

I'm pretty much in the same situation. I was rejected by all PhD programs (history) that I applied to , but I got accepted by MAPSS with half tuition scholarship. Right now, I'm struggling with the same issue about its cost.  Basically, my friends who know something about the program encourage me to go, while the ones outside the academic circle remind me to think twice about the cost.  In the end, we need to make the decision on our own. I mean, 50,000 dollars can be a lot for us right now, but looking back 10 years from now, it may not be much. In addition, taking the program offers a more promising future application, otherwise it can be a dead end for life.  I am inclined to take the program because we will have the rest of our lives making money, but an offer from a top school may come only once.  Feel free to message me if you want to talk more.

[rising_star]

On 3/16/2016 at 0:59 AM, almondcreamer said:

I'm a transfer student, and I have worked in 4 labs, and two of them for 1 year and currently still in them. I am almost done with my senior thesis, and I also have a ton of extra curricular (started a club, volunteered with various programs). Not sure how much the extracurricular counts? I don't know how much more research experience I could have had straight out of undergraduate, but I'm assuming they want you to work a couple years in a lab, and get published or have your name mentioned, is that the idea? I don't know what my application is lacking otherwise. Higher GPA, higher GRE scores? (Thank you by the way)

Without knowing your GPA and GRE scores, it's hard to say. How many hours a week have you worked in those labs? Is the work you've done in those labs related to what you want to do in graduate school? Have you gotten experience doing research outside of your undergraduate institution? Have you presented at any conferences (regional, undergraduate, etc.)? If you haven't done those last three things, having those would definitely boost your application, even if you don't have a publication.

Extracurriculars don't really matter, to be honest. They're going to be more interested in your research skills and potential. One option you may consider is working in a lab and taking one course (ideally a grad course) on the side to show your passion for the field and your ability to succeed.

[almondcreamer]

On 3/19/2016 at 8:53 AM, rising_star said:

Without knowing your GPA and GRE scores, it's hard to say. How many hours a week have you worked in those labs? Is the work you've done in those labs related to what you want to do in graduate school? Have you gotten experience doing research outside of your undergraduate institution? Have you presented at any conferences (regional, undergraduate, etc.)? If you haven't done those last three things, having those would definitely boost your application, even if you don't have a publication.

Extracurriculars don't really matter, to be honest. They're going to be more interested in your research skills and potential. One option you may consider is working in a lab and taking one course (ideally a grad course) on the side to show your passion for the field and your ability to succeed.

Most of my hours are at several labs in the institution, and there's definitely a lot of hours. GRE score was only a little above average, GPA was 3.5 also probably only a little above average. I am going to be presenting at the conference next week though!