Duke versus UMD for grad school

Graduate School
1

<p>I am in quite a dilemma. I'm not sure whether to go for Duke (the more rigorous--and expensive!-- school) or University of Maryland (the less expensive but still respected school) for graduate studies. It is more than just a matter of choosing which university fits me best--there is also the issue that I am passionate about one of the programs to which I've been accepted, and not so passionate about the other. </p>

<p>To be more specific, I was accepted to Duke University for an MA in Humanities (an interdisciplinary program which encompasses courses from all fields of the Humanities, such as History, English Literature, the arts, social sciences).</p>

<p>At University of Maryland, I was accepted as an MA student in English Literature. I am extremely passionate about English Literature (I double majored in English and History in undergrad). My ultimate goal is to pursue a PhD in English Literature. As such, University of Maryland's MA program in English Literature, while not as "prestigious" as a background in Duke, prepares me for such a pursuit. However, my mom, who is from Maryland, states that UMD is not a good school and "just like any other state university." While I appreciate her point (Duke certainly is more esteemed than UMD), I feel like I would benefit immensely from the traditional approach to studying English Literature that an MA in English Lit. at UMD would offer.</p>

<p>On the other hand, Duke's MA in Humanities offers a similar opportunity. According to the program description on Duke's website: "In some cases, students (with an MA in Humanities) may decide that they wish to go on to the Ph.D. in a particular discipline." Naturally, the program director also cautions that "Although admission to the program in no way guarantees admission to doctoral programs in any participating department, coursework taken through the program provides a concrete basis for mutual acquaintance and assessment." If I chose this route, I would probably focus as much as possible in English Lit courses, take a few History courses and maybe some art and social science courses that relate to my area of interest. I would then attempt to pursue a PhD in English with my MA in Humanities (the interdisciplinary degree program.)</p>

<p>If I chose the more traditional MA program at University of Maryland, I would take two years worth of English Literature courses, focus entirely in Literature, and I would similarly then pursue a PhD in English Literature.</p>

<p>I'm just not sure whether the MA in Humanities at Duke would offer enough of a background in English Lit., since it is dispersed across several disciplines rather than just one. UMD's program, however, offers in-depth and exclusive study of English Lit. I am also confused by the Duke's description of the objectives of its MA in Humanities. It states: "The program does not offer professional training; its primary purpose is to provide a rigorous program of personal enrichment..." This confuses me and also causes me to wonder if this is the best program for someone interested in a PhD in English Lit. down the line.</p>

<p>Some notable information:</p>

<ol>
<li>Both grad programs would last two years.</li>
<li>I would not be able to receive financial aid from either university, since the MA in Humanities at Duke is not eligible for university-sponsored financial aid. UMD, likewise, states that its grad program in English cannot offer financial aid to any of its MA students this year. --However, UMD is obviously the less expensive of the two.</li>
<li>I am not a resident of either state (neither MD or NC) for tuition purposes.</li>
<li>My primary goal is to choose the MA program that would best prepare me for a PhD in English Lit down the road.</li>
</ol>

<p>Sorry for the length of this post. I thank any responders in advance.</p>

2

<p>Wow this post was far too long. Can’t edit it shorter now though :/</p>

3

<p>The very short answer? Sounds like Maryland is the best fit for you. Don’t listen to your mom, particularly if she’s not going to be paying the bills. Self-financing a graduate degree is tough enough at a public school - let alone a really expensive private.</p>

4

<p>I particularly don’t understand Duke’s Humanities program description: “The program does not offer professional training; its primary purpose is to provide a rigorous program of personal enrichment.” Does this mean that it is not for people interested in bettering their career prospects, but for people who seek only personal intellectual fulfillment? Because I definitely belong to the first category.</p>

5

<p>To take a cynical interpretation of that statement, an MA in general humanities probably does very little to fulfill almost any career prospect. I don’t think there is any job where an MA in humanities would be preferred over an MA in a specific field, if that field is relevant to the job. And if a job just requires an MA, then an MA in any specific field will do just as much as an MA in humanities. For any PhD program, they’d obviously rather you have an MA in their specific field than a general humanities MA. I can kind of see their statement being totally serious.</p>

<p>I mean, an MA in history or English is already a pretty small boost to career prospects and will really only help for very specific career interests (in addition to improving chances for PhD admission). An MA in general humanities is kind of like the definition of getting a degree without regard for career prospects.</p>

<p>So I definitely agree with polarscribe. If you want to do an English lit PhD, the obvious choice is a cheaper, more relevant, and still respected program.</p>

6

<p>It does apply (directly) to my desired career. My ultimate goal is to become a professor, so this is actually the standard route to take (an MA then PhD in the discipline of choice.)</p>

7

<p>Yes, but nobody gets a Ph.D in “humanities.” If you want to go for a Ph.D in English lit, you’d be well advised to pursue an MA in English lit, not “general humanities.”</p>

<p>Also, the wording implies that Duke’s MA is coursework-only, not providing research experience. In that case, you’d be even more advised to reject it - if you want to go on to a Ph.D, writing a master’s thesis is crucial.</p>

8

<p>Thank you so much for your advice! I feel a much stronger resolve to go for the traditional English Lit MA.</p>

9

<p>Another voice for the UMD English literature program. Since your goal is a PhD in English, you’ll need a solid background in literature and criticism, plus a focused area of interest. Make sure you can pick up/enhance your foreign language proficiency in the program.</p>

<p>Masters degree in humanities or liberal studies are interdisciplinary and thus broad-based, which could be of use to you if you’ve already decided that you want to research, say, the role of music in Italian literature. Then you’d be able to take advanced music theory and Italian studies courses with your literature courses. (Note: you can often do this in PhD programs, with her permission of your advisor, but generally not at the masters level.) But if you have no such inclination, your best preparation for a PhD program would be advanced courses in literature and theory. If you did not apply to PhD programs in English because you weren’t yet prepared academically, then the masters in English is a must.</p>

10

<p>Is that to say that (for lack of better wording), the MA in Humanities at Duke would be taken less “seriously” by prospective PhD programs in English than a traditional MA in English Lit.?</p>

<p>Duke IS my dream school (since age 12), but I don’t know if I should let that affect my judgment of what program is the best fit for me.</p>

11

<p>Yes, it would be taken less seriously. Graduate school is designed to be highly specialized study, and a master’s degree across a wide array of different humanities fields is not nearly as valuable as a specific degree focused on your intended field of study.</p>

12

<p>I was afraid so…I don’t mean to piggy back one question on top of another but quick question, how would NCSU compare to UMD academically?</p>

13

<p>I strongly believe that UMD is stronger academically than NCSU, at least for undergrad… My 2 Ds both attended UMD and I have been very impressed. In terms of your mom’s view of UMD…a very good friend of ours graduated from UMD back in the time period that your mom probably was of college age, and agrees that it is an entirely different school than it was back then. Although it is not nearly as selective of a school as Duke in terms of undergrad enrollment, it is FAR from being just like any other state school. Mostly, I believe you should follow your passion. Also, I’m not sure what the English dept’s usage of TAs is, but I assume you’d have a much better chance of being a TA at UMD than Duke (sheer numbers of undergrads taking English courses), which would be good experience in terms of teaching…a factor in Ph.D. enrollment/funding. Good luck.</p>

14

<p>The most important question you should ask yourself: Which program will prepare you better for a PhD in literature? If Duke is your “dream” school and if you can tailor your humanities degree so you significantly strengthen your research and course background in English, then Duke will not be a disadvantage. But if your education is too broad and if you don’t have to write a masters thesis relevant to English literature, then you may find that it wasn’t worth it.</p>

<p>As for prestige, Duke is fantastic in many areas, but UMD is hardly a slouch school. Many of its graduate programs are top-notch.</p>

<p>You are going to have to look carefully at both programs and determine, independent of any perceived prestige, which will prepare you better for a PhD program.</p>

15

<p>The director of duke’s program states that their program offers freedom to tailor one’s curriculum, but… There is no thesis. </p>

<p>In deciding between the two schools, it’s not just ‘prestige’ that distinguishes them. It is also that Duke is much closer to my family. Also, my mom who grew up and went to college in Maryland (not at UMD but elsewhere) states that it’s in a dangerous location and I’d be a single female living alone.
So I am honestly kind of apprehensive</p>

16

<p>Actually there is a thesis and defense option, but there is no “thesis requirement,” most students submit two substantial papers, but there is the option of a thesis. …</p>

17

<p>You should write a thesis if your goal is to pursue a doctorate.</p>

18

<p>

As opposed to Durham? :confused:</p>

<p>I vote for Maryland like everyone else. (I say that as a Duke alum.)</p>

<p>

NC State has an average reputation overall but has a few notable programs in the humanities - linguistics, English (esp. creative writing), and history (esp. public history).</p>

<p>Did you receive funding from NCSU? One of the nice things about it, of course, is that you can cross-register at Duke and UNC Chapel Hill very easily.</p>

19

<p>Hi, I don’t know the statistics on whether Durham, NC or College Park, MD is safer, but I assume it is uncertain either way for someone living alone and attending mostly evening classes.</p>

<p>You mention that you are a Duke alum. Just out of curiosity, what was your department?</p>

<p>About NCSU, I did not know about the cross-registration with Duke and UNC Chapel Hill but that definitely sounds like a plus.</p>

<p>I guess my main concern about UMD at this point is the sheer distance from my immediate family. I am with most people that UMD is the better fit for my ultimate educational aims. I just need to sit down and make a final decision–no later than this weekend lol!</p>

20

<p>Something to keep in mind is that, if you intend on having an academic career, you’re going to have to be willing to move wherever you can find a job. Getting an offer for a tenure-track faculty job is difficult even if you’re willing to move anywhere. Restricting yourself to a small geographical region may make it impossible. For a more immediate example, what are you going to do if the best program you get into for a PhD is on the west coast or in the northeast?</p>

<p>Family should definitely be important, but this may be a good time to get used to visiting home less frequently (what would it be from UMD to your home, a 5 or 6 or 7 hour drive?), since you may end up moving to the midwest or pacific NW or west coast to find a job after grad school. The other thing to take into account is living far from family for grad school (for 5-10 years) is a small price to pay if it means you go to a better program for your career; to have any hope of being selective about what faculty job you take, you’ll have to do very well in the best program you can get into. Look at grad school away from home at a better program as increasing your chances of landing a faculty job closer to home!</p>