How do BA/BS and MA/MS applications stack up against each other?

[erasingdinosaurs]

Hi all!
 

I'm applying to a couple of PhD and MA programs in the humanities (specifically for Spanish). For the PhD programs, I'm going to be up against students who have already completed their MAs, whereas I'm fresh out of undergrad. How do admissions committees compare these applications? It seems like MA applicants are more qualified, so how do BA applicants still have a shot? 

 

 

 

[erasingdinosaurs]

To clarify a bit, the PhD programs I'm applying to say something like this on their website:

"Students interested in the Franco-Arab Studies concentration apply to the MA; all other students apply directly to the PhD program. All students in the PhD program may receive the MA degree en route after satisfactory completion of all of the second year requirements. " 

[Bhu_It]

In STEM, I know that PhD admission standards are higher for applicants with Master's degree as compared to fresh BS graduates. Committees expect MS graduates to have more research experience and publications. They are evaluated separately from the BS graduates. Likely the admission process is similar in your field as well.

[Sandmaster]

I would assume the masters degree applicants are considered separately from the bachelors applicants. I know in my field, it is very uncommon to go from a BA/BS to a Ph.D/Ed.D so most of the time, at the doctoral level, they are masters degree applicants. However, I do know some who offer Ph.D/Ed.D for those with both bachelors and masters and they evaluate them differently with a different set of criteria. I guess it depends on the schools individually.