do they expect Master's Degree applicants to have any kind of publications?

[hl348]

I am applying for a Master's Degree program and currently have only a bachelor's degree(of course). I don't have any publication e.g., thesis or college newspaper articles.

I was wondering if they(the ad comm, obviously) expect MA applicants(mere bachelor's degree holders) to have those publications? I know it's a definite plus to have them on your resume... but... is having published anything on their own during undergraduate years normal? I am so worried lacking those extra materials will put me in a tougher position.

Also, which factor plays the most important role in the admission process? I think GPA and SOP matter the most..?

Ahhh waiting is hard!

[fuzzylogician]

Publications are not even expected of PhD applicants (at least in my field), though, as you say, they help.

The intangibles are more important than the tangibles - prior research experience (including a thesis or any projects you worked on, even if nothing was published); FIT with the department you're applying to; good letters of recommendations; a strong, focused SOP, a good writing sample. Grades can only keep you out, if they are too low, but it's the other things that will get you in.

[katalytik]

Publications are not even expected of PhD applicants (at least in my field), though, as you say, they help.

The intangibles are more important than the tangibles - prior research experience (including a thesis or any projects you worked on, even if nothing was published); FIT with the department you're applying to; good letters of recommendations; a strong, focused SOP, a good writing sample. Grades can only keep you out, if they are too low, but it's the other things that will get you in.

As fuzzy just said, even PhD applicants are not required to have pubs. I feel they want to know your research direction and if it makes sense to that department. Also, helps to have direct experience with someone in the field.

[hl348]

ahhhh your replies really relieved me a bit(especially the remarks on the publication issue). thanks you two!:]

But I think I am still in a less competitive position for I dont really have much experiences in the relevant field; I have multiple experiences in not-related fields but have only one in the field. *sigh we will see....

[someDay]

Having publications is always a bonus but by no means required. Only an extremely tiny minority have published original papers. If you chose to publish your BS/MS/summer-project "research" in a crappy journal don't expect this to significantly strengthen your application. Quality is much more important than quantity. (At least in mathematics, perhaps this is different in applied sciences or humanities.)

sD.

[SpS4]

As you pointed out, it would definitely be a plus to have been published as an undergraduate but it's no way expected by grad schools. For most Masters programs, the emphasis will be on your GPA, GRE score, SOP, LORs and related experiences (i.e. internships, study abroad etc).

It's difficult to say which "part" of one's application is most important..depends on the adcom itself and varies student to student. If your GPA is mediocre, having a strong and concise SOP can do wonders. Adcoms typically look at the application as a whole.