<p>I applied to the PhD in three universities. Upenn was my first choice. I just learned today that Upenn offered me an admission into a two year MA instead of the PhD that I had applied for. The other two universities have not yet sent me their decisions. So, I really divested that I didn't get the PhD at Upenn, but at least I got something. Now, I am confused if I should accept the MA or go for a PhD in one of the other two schools (provided they accept me). Is a PhD from the American University better than an MA from an Ivy Upenn? Cost is a major issue as I was the PhD at Upenn was fully covered. I am both happy for their offer into the MA but also very sad that they didn't accept me for the PhD. What should I do? I just loved the Upenn though. </p>
<p>You don’t sound like you have done much research about getting a PhD. What you should be concerned with is what are the reputations of the individual faculty members you’d like to work with? How strong is the department in general, and in the particular area you are interested in? An undergraduate sports league is completely irrelevant. </p>
<p>You also need to ask, why are you getting a PhD? Is an MA sufficient for your career goals or do you need a PhD? Were you offered a fellowship and stipend for the MA program? </p>
<p>Were you offered a TAship for the MA program? Is that MA terminal (ie., you can’t go on) or is it just to test you and see whether you have the level needed for the PHD?
If the MA is not funded (if you didn’t get a TAship, an RAship, or a fellowship), then turn it down, it’s of no value to you. Your next best bet would be UVA EXCEPT if you’re applying for politics or international relations, where AU has a strong reputation.
You do realize, though, that most applicants to PHD programs get turned down, even with previous research experience and high GPA’s? If you’re not admitted, you have to retake the GRE, improve your resume, and apply again.</p>
<p>Everyone, thanks for the feedback. I need to open a new threat with a new situation that has emerged in my life. I will share it here too: I have a rotary fellowship opportunity, a fully funded MA in Queensland University, Australia, and I also have an offer from Upenn for a two years MA. The UQ is funded generously (fully covered). Upenn offered me a FLAS fellowship, which will cover my first year plus 15000 in stipend. There is no assurance that I might get the FLAS fellowship for the second year. Now the question is this: Should I accept the rotary peace fellowship (an 18 months program in Queensland) or should I accept the Upenn’s two year MA (the first year of which is already financially guaranteed. Before the Upenn option was available, I was all excited about going to Australia, but now I am a little concerned as to which one to accept.</p>
<p>And yes, the MA is terminal. </p>
<p>Here’s the thing: if you really want that PHD, trying to transfer master’s work to another school to get it, can be problem. Most PHDs are conferred after qualification at the master’s stage, at least the ones I know. My friend’s DD who is in a very prestigious program was in agony as to whether she was going to allowed to go on after her two years and had to go through a rigorous ritual that was the assesment. She also did not get any money that FIRST year of her master’s, some the second, and now it’s pretty clear sailing for her if she gets her PHD in a given time with stipends and fellowships. To offer up a year in a terminal program with such funding as Penn has done, smacks of trying to sell the program at half price, IMO. but it could compromise your PHD prospects.</p>
<p>I won’t even go into your Queensland alternative. My advice to you is to sit down and talk to some PHDs, professors that are knowledgeable about prospects in your field and get the scoop from them. Not just one, but several, so that you get a good picture of the ramifications of your decisions. Without knowing the programs, the field and what’s going on there, any advice, including all I said in the prior paragraph may not be relevant to you. You need some very directed information. Good luck–it does look like you have some exciting choices ahead. </p>
<p>cptofthehouse: Thanks for this valuable advice. My ultimate goal is PhD. And I already know what it entails, and also why I want it? My current confusion was whether I should ignore the Queensland option all together? You helped me streamline that a little bit. The MA is terminal in Upenn. While my chances to get into a PhD in Upenn in the same field is higher, there is no guarantee I will get in. But my other concern was also about the second year funding. It is a risk that I should take. The reason why Queensland university was an option was because it was fully paid. </p>