<p>Hey guys, first post in almost a year for me, and if this topic has been done before, please link me to the thread and don't flame me :)</p>
<p>I've been accepted into several schools next year to pursue a master's degree in Intercultural Communication as well as a few for journalism. I plan on eventually obtaining a Ph.D. (and probably going back to the school where I'm an undergrad now for it), so I'm wondering if the prestige of the school where I obtain my master's degree will make a difference when applying to Ph.D. programs.</p>
<p>I can go into my personal story more in later posts if it's applicable (in truth, it's 100% money-related; my family is going through some really rough times right now and I probably can't afford to go anywhere but a few select schools). Thus, the question is essentially "Is a master's degree from Ole Miss viewed any differently than a master's degree from a top-5 school if one plans on going on to obtain a doctorate?"</p>
<p>I really want to know the answer to this as well!! </p>
<p>Also, I have been accepted into
University of South Carolina (neuroscience–hard-core biology/brain focus)
University of Florida (neuroscience/neuropsychology–olfaction & audition focus)
UNC-Chapel Hill (school of public health behavior & health education)
UNC-Charlotte (Health Psychology)
East Carolina University (Clinical Behavioral Medicine…but this program is NOT accredited by the APA)
Auburn -(Cognitive Psychology)</p>
<p>So I’m wondering…which degree will get me the BEST job or postdoc after I graduate, with the most long-term chances of success and career stability?
I am almost equally excited about each of these prospects…however I am less excited about Chapel Hill but recognize it’s a BETTER school than South Carolina…But the program at South Carolina is better.</p>
<p>I’m speaking from an engineering background, but for me program prestige definitely matters. Top programs are generally thought to provide a more thorough education and a more rigorous standard for research. Bearing in mind that you will be the world expert in your area of research (at the PhD level), if you go to a top program your research will generally be more widely relevent and better vetted for accuracy. All around good things.</p>
<p>As far as preliminary work goes, graduates of more prestigious undergrad and masters programs are thought to have demonstrated a higher degree of academic preparation and have developed a stronger work ethic. None of this is set in stone, but there are definitely trends - the incoming PhD class at a top 5 school will probably be ~50% top 5, ~30% top 10, ~15% top 20, and ~5% lower. There is always a chance, but if you start in the top schools it is easier.</p>
<p>Research interest comes first - go where you can study what you want - but otherwise I always look at it in terms of improving your standing each time. If you started in a top 50 school, try to do your masters at a top 20 and a PhD at a top 5. If you cannot, at least try to stay steady, and if you find yourself going the other way, figure out why and whether or not you are making the right move.</p>
<p>Thanks for your advice…I was afraid that the prestige would matter more than the program.
The unaccredited program is new and “filing” to be accredited…But it would just be a gamble…because they certainly aren’t guaranteed to be accredited.
But if i chose UNC-Chapel HIll (the most prestigous on my personal list)…surely I could make of it what I want…</p>
<p>I’ve been struggling with a very similar decision. Essentially choosing between an Ivy with some PIs of interest, or a non-Ivy (but still very recognized school) with the lab of my dreams. In the end, I’ve gone with the argument that the lab is more important than brand name. Both are excellent programs, that will lead to equally valuable graduate education and experience. So to me, it seems silly to forgo the experience that will be more beneficial in terms of the science and future career… on the off chance that in the future I will need to impress a non-science job/person with the Ivy name.</p>
<p>However, I think it also has a lot to do with what field your graduate career is in (biomedical vs. humanities). I have NO idea of any of the above applies to humanities.</p>
<p>To clarify, program prestige really only matters as a default, when people are not familiar with your specific area of research. People usually place a higher weight on your own rep (if you have made one) or that of your PI (if they are familiar enough). Use prestige as a tie-breaker when you have two programs that are otherwise equally favorable to you.</p>
<p>With accreditation, there are numerous accreditation bodies covering different fields and geographic areas. Most of them will not accredit both an undergrad program and grad program in the same department, so you have to be careful: if the undergrad program is accredited by ABET, the grad program will not be. Each department should be able to tell you its accreditation, and most have them on their websites. Then go through CHEA or other such groups to make sure it is valid if you have any questions.</p>
<p>does prestige matter if one is going for a terminal masters degree, specifically in engineering or do most employers view masters students pretty much equally? I know that attending certain schools might help with networking, but I most likely will take a couple years off between finishing masters and going to work.</p>
<p>I believe it matters to some degree. Specifically, some employers focus on recruiting students from particular programs, so in that light, attending a particular program may be helpful if you are looking to work for a particular company.</p>
<p>Prestige matters about the same for masters as it does for PhD - a masters from a top school will be looked at more favorably than a masters from a lesser school. And yes, even for terminal masters (by which I assume you mean an MEng or similar). But how do you plan to take a couple of years off between a masters and work?? In engineering that sounds like professional suicide!</p>
<p>Wouldn’t this be similar to taking year(s) off between college and say getting the masters? It would be like joining the peace corps or teach for America after your masters before going into industry.</p>
<p>It would depend a lot on the reason - something like Peace Corps or Teach for America might be okay - its structured and reputable. But while you are neither working nor studying your skills are degrading, even after just a few months. My employer asks for your current employer, and if it is not “graduating student” or some type of engineer they want a good explanation.</p>
<p>Grad schools will be a little more lenient - they are expecting to retrain you anyway, so if you have been out for a few years it may not be a big deal.</p>