Lots of Questions about Masters Programs

**whatdoido** · 04-20-2010, 04:57 PM

Hi everybody, I'm kinda new on the forum so I had a few questions.

First, I go to a top 35 undergrad school with an econ grad program in the 50s and undergrad econ department that I don't think is ranked. By the end of my junior year ( sophomore now) I will have all the necessary maths plus a few extras to apply to good grad schools and I will hopefully have around 3.75. The professors here are very smart and went to top 5 programs but I don't know how well known they are. I plan on RAing for a while. I want to apply to phd programs but I don't know how competitive I will be for top 10 schools. Therefore, I had a few questions about masters programs.

1)Is it easier to be admitted to a top 10 masters program rather than a top 10 phd program (or top 20 for that matter).

2) Will having a masters from a top 10 institution significantly increase my chances of being admitted to a top 10 phd program.

3) Is it very much worth it for these two extra years of schooling so that I can get into a top 10 phd program as opposed to a top 30 phd program, in the long run

4) Can you apply to the masters program of a certain school and the phd program of the same school? If this is possible, will applying to one hurt your chances of getting into the other?

5) Do masters programs provide funding?

Thanks.

**BigPink** · 04-20-2010, 05:31 PM

1.) It is much easier to be admitted to a masters program than a PhD program, even if the masters program is at a higher ranked school.

2.) It's hard to say; performing well in grad coursework is a good signal, but it'll be very hard to get to know professors in the short time frame between when you enroll and when you have to send out applications to PhD programs. Also, you'll most likely be sending out apps before you have fall grades on your grad transcript. Most people who move on to a top-10 from a masters are not from the US and got their masters in their home country (or, if they are from the US, at LSE or a good Canadian school).

A much better strategy would be to take grad classes at your current school with professors you've worked with before. The grades will look good and the professors will be able to write better LORs. Grad micro is especially important, so take that if possible.

3.) Do you mean staying for a fifth year at your current institution? If you can afford that and you spend the time RAing/taking grad classes, it'll probably be well worth it. Also, you'll have more classes on your transcript when you send out applications.

4.) Not sure about this one. If you think you've got a shot at the PhD, go for that. And remember, you can always email them about their policies.

**BigPink** · 04-20-2010, 05:48 PM

Also, point number 5 in this post has links to threads that have discussed this topic:
http://www.urch.com/forums/a/99553-f...l-threads.html

**zigzag25** · 04-20-2010, 07:06 PM

4) Yes but not in the same admittance term. It may hurt your chances if the MA program is not that rigorous (i.e. U Mich, NYU) because the admissions people at said schools WILL know this.

5) Canadian programs do but many American ones do not. UC Denver, Tufts, and Duke are a few American programs that give out tuition waivers/stipends.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but if you've looked at the Profile and Results sections at all, you'll see that the top 10 are exceptionally difficult to get into, even if you were a star in your undergrad and masters program.

For now I think you should just focus on rocking your math classes, getting solid references, doing some research, and taking some grad level classes at your school if you have time. You have plenty of time to prepare before worrying about needing an MA.

_nanashi · 04-23-2010, 03:52 AM

3) Is it very much worth it for these two extra years of schooling so that I can get into a top 10 phd program as opposed to a top 30 phd program, in the long run

Top 10 isn't guaranteed for anyone. ace your math, impress your professors (tenured, full professors), do research, and you have a shot. If not then worry about M.A. v.s. PhD. I'd apply to a mix of top 10 Since you have your heart set on a top 10 apply to the 4 Big M.A.s (UBC, Utoronto, Queens, LSE), and unless something changes drastically, if you can't get into UBC, Utoronto or LSE you probably can't get into a top 10. Then after your masters, think about top 30 v.s. top 10. Keep in mind also go where your going to be good. The top guy at a Top 25 school may be able to stay at the same level. The bottom guy at a top 5 school can end up as a failed academic. I can't count the number of chicago graduates I've seen in the middle of no where, without a single legitimate publications.

**whatdoido** · 05-31-2010, 01:51 AM

ok, so I have 2more questions about MA programs. Do people apply to PhD programs out of MA programs in the fall during their first semester there? or do they wait until its completely finished and apply the next fall? And do those in MA programs get recommendations from people in their MA programs, or people from their undergrad institutions? Thanks

**Gecko** · 05-31-2010, 02:23 PM

You can apply before the end (fall) of MA program, nothing wrong with that. As for recommendations, most programs would like to see a couple of letters from the graduate program~

**whatdoido** · 05-31-2010, 02:37 PM

is it more common to apply before is it over? or after?

**Gecko** · 05-31-2010, 03:18 PM

From what I see in my country (I'm an international student), before is more common although whether before or after is just a matter of meeting the deadline for the submission for admission in the following academic year~

**tm_member** · 05-31-2010, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by whatdoido

is it more common to apply before is it over? or after?

It boils down to individual preference. A lot of people who have large holes in their profiles do a two-year master's and apply then in the fall of the second year after they've had a year to secure recommendations. If you need recommendations or your master's degree is making up for some serious missing courses then you will have to wait until after the first year. If it's a one-year master's then you have to wait 'til you are done. There's no simple answer.

However, a master's degree for a US student is generally not of much value. If you don't want to go straight to your PhD after undergrad, or you are worried you'll be missing something, then get a job, and do a graduate class or two as a non-degree student while working. Much better than paying for a full MA. If you are serious about getting into the top 10, then do a MA in the UK or Canada, or even some of the mainland europe programs