Going for Master's before Ph.D?

Graduate School
1

<p>I graduated from U.C. Berkeley with a degree in Political Science, a minor in Public Policy, and a minor in Education with a cumulative GPA of 3.0, with a 2.9 GPA in Political Science.</p>

<p>After talking with some of my advisers, I think I may go earn my Master's in Political Science at San Jose State University before going for my Ph.D. Before I make my decision, I wanted to hear some further input. </p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

2

<p>Given that your GPA is marginal for graduate programs, I think you’ve made a good call to look for master’s programs. I would question the choice of SJSU, however. Why that university? It’s not a bad school, but there are certainly better ones in California, much less elsewhere.</p>

3

<p>It’s close to my home, but also because I’m not entirely sure which program I would have a chance at. Given my GPA, would I have a chance at being admitted to better schools?</p>

4

<p>Actually, my cumulative GPA is 3.1. Not sure if that makes too much of a difference.</p>

5

<p>Since you’re zoned to San Jose State, you would certainly have an edge of getting in over say, someone from Southern California with the same GPA. If you can get three good letters of recommendation from your professors at Cal, plus a decent GRE score, you might as well apply to a school like UC Davis as well as SJSU. It would be a reach for a Masters program there, but let’s say you get in, then you already have a foot in the door for a Ph.D. program, and you wouldn’t have to repeat the application process again – assuming you decide to stay in Davis for your Ph.D.</p>

6

<p>I might not go for a Master’s at UC Davis because they offer a JD/MA joint degree program. Do you know if San Jose State is a reach for me? Do you know of any websites that I could view that would tell me which schools I have a chance at?</p>

7

<p>I also have not taken by GRE, and I have not sure whether I am fully prepared for the test. Are there schools within my range that do not require GRE scores?</p>

8

<p>Here is a list of the departments at SJSU that require the GRE. I’m not sure which department Political Science falls under (if it’s not it’s own department).</p>

<p>[url=&lt;a href=“http://www.sjsu.edu/gape/prospective_students/test_requirements/index.htm]San”&gt;http://www.sjsu.edu/gape/prospective_students/test_requirements/index.htm]San</a> Jos</p>

9

<p>I have decided to apply for the following: </p>

<p>CSULA
San Jose State University
Chico State University
U.C. Davis
U.C. Santa Cruz
USC</p>

<p>How are my chances with my current stats:
3.12 GPA from U.C. Berkeley
2.9 Major GPA in Political Science</p>

<p>I also have two Letters of Recommendation from professors at Cal.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>