DILEMMA: Continue Job or Accept PhD Offer

<p>I'm faced with a dilemma and would appreciate any insight that you may be able to provide. </p>

<p>I graduated in May with my MA and applied to 4 PhD programs in Communication this cycle. Around the same time that I was completing applications, I was offered a job at an NGO that I accepted and have come to truly enjoy. This is not a position that I see as my life's work, as I am 100% committed to the idea of pursuing my PhD and either entering academia or re-joining the nonprofit/public sector. </p>

<p>I initially intended to apply to a much wider range of programs, but when I was offered the position, decided to apply only to the top three programs in my field, plus a "wild card" (a program at a lesser-known state branch institution with a faculty that nonetheless matches extremely well with my interests and is of high quality, despite the school's overall lack of distinction). </p>

<p>When the dust cleared, I was admitted to the "wild card" school and denied at the other three. </p>

<p>The dilemma lies in the fact that I have begun to fall in love a bit with the department that admitted me. The faculty have been beyond accomodating and informative during the decision proces, and I feel as though I have clicked with them. The research that is being done in the department corresponds directly with my interests, and I know that I would be able to do the type of doctoral work there that I have always envisioned (including funded field work abroad in the geographic area where my specific interests lie). They also offered an excellent funding package, and the program is in my hometown, which means that I would not have to incur moving or frequent travel costs.</p>

<p>The down side to all of this is that, while the faculty in the program are fairly distinguished in the field (it is among the top 5 departments in terms of faculty grant funds secured), this is the department's first-ever PhD cohort. As a result, I worry that perhaps academia might be out of reach, even though Communication as a discipline isn't nearly as unforgiving as, say, history (apparently, there are 3 Communication appointments open for each PhD graduate in the field, although I would imagine that many of those spots go to Poli Sci, History, and English graduates with relevant research).</p>

<p>Anyway, the bottom line is that my gut tells me to go with the PhD, because I'm not guaranteed that an offer and opportunity like this will surface again, yet part of me wonders if I should try again next year and apply to a wider range of programs, given the fact that I like my job. My undergrad and MA degrees are both from top/Ivy League institutions, and the snob in me also wonders if I shouldn't hold out for the sake of not "tarnishing" my resume with a far less well-known school (this is probably irrelevant, but I figured that I would throw in all angles).</p>

<p>I apologize for the long post but would be most grateful of any advice or insight that any of you might be able to provide.</p>

<p>Don't quit a job you love to pursue a potential career in academia.</p>

<p>My guess is you won't have this dilemma if you were accepted to one of the other three programs. If I were you, I would honestly ask myself what's keeping me out this year and if I could significantly strengthen my candidacy in near term (while working at my current position). If the prospect were dim, I would jump at this opportunity knowing "as I am 100% committed to the idea of pursuing my PhD".</p>

<p>Thanks for the comment, dallas.</p>

<p>I think you pretty much hit the dilemma on the head. While my undergraduate and MA degrees come from top schools (BS from a top non-Ivy, MA from an Ivy), I don't have any publications, and my GPA--especially in the master's program--is less than stellar. Also, I want to be finished with the PhD before I'm 30, which means that next year would probably be my last chance to apply and still have that as a possibility.</p>

<p>Essentially, I'm not sure that I'm really competitive for a top-10 program, but I also didn't really give myself the best opportunity to find out this year. The only way I could possibly strengthen my candidacy would be to more aggressively pursue contact with faculty before and during the application process, and even then, I don't know if that's enough to offset my academic weaknesses. </p>

<p>While I wonder if I could do "better," I also know that I may not even have an opportunity like this next time around.</p>

<p>Talk to your favorite professors at the Ivy who should have a pretty good idea where you stand.</p>

<p>If you work near the school, perhaps you could do volunteer works with a few professors so you may get some significantly strengthen the LORs which, IMO, are often the most important factor in admission. Of course, your stat still needs to be "on par". </p>

<p>BTW, what's the real difference(s) to earn a PhD before 30 and, say, 31? :)</p>

<p>"BTW, what's the real difference(s) to earn a PhD before 30 and, say, 31?"</p>

<p>Heh...no tangible difference--just a psychological one.</p>

<p>I'm trying to get in touch with all three of my recommenders (one from the Ivy and two from undergrad). Sadly, they're difficult people to pin down, as I wrote to each of them over a week ago and haven't yet heard back. I only have until next Friday to notify the department of my acceptance/rejection of their offer.</p>

<p>So I decided to accept the offer. </p>

<p>Thanks to those who responded (esp. dallas).</p>

<p>Wild Lion: What do you think caused the lower GPA in the masters? My D is considering an MS and that would hopefully be followed by a PhD, in a different field, but humanities based. What do you see as the reason people get a lower GPA in a masters? Is is the academic difficulty or the interference of real life as you get older and less able to insulate yourself in the bubble of university?</p>

<p>Congrats WildLion! Which university will you be at?</p>

<p>Thanks, werd! I'll be at the Univ. of Illinois at Chicago.</p>