admission question

[leftbrian]

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I applied to a phd program and a week ago I found out they didn't accept me. But instead, they sent me a congratulatory letter about my admission to their master program in clin. psych. Their reason is that a master program will be more appropriate for me at this time perhaps becasue I am just finishing college.

I just find this interesting. Do most schools do this? Instead of rejecting you or waitlisting you, they put you to the master program?

 

[perfektspace]

After just going through the process myself, that would piss me off. It's like their saying "hey sorry your not good enough for the PhD but we would love to take your money for a useless masters program". I wouldn't want to burn any bridges by saying something to them but that seems like a crappy thing for a school to do. I'm curious to know who it was.

 

[Psyclops]

I'm also curious.... Is it more like, you can get your master's here and then go on somewhere else? Or more like a conditional admission and if you do well in the Masters program you will be accepted to the PhD? Alot depends on the specific school. If you were willing to share people might be able to help more. But I understand that might be sharinng more than you want. Maybe if there are people on this forum who you would trust to talk with over PM yo could try that. But in answer to your question, no, most schools don't do that.

 

[leftbrian]

I'm also curious.... Is it more like, you can get your master's here and then go on somewhere else? Or more like a conditional admission and if you do well in the Masters program you will be accepted to the PhD? Alot depends on the specific school. If you were willing to share people might be able to help more. But I understand that might be sharinng more than you want. Maybe if there are people on this forum who you would trust to talk with over PM yo could try that. But in answer to your question, no, most schools don't do that.

It's Columbia Teachers College. I am thinking about the same thing. It's pointless to do a master there if I have to go through the PhD application process again, unless they make it clear that, as you said, if I do well in the master, I can be accepted to their PhD. I should probably call to find out.
But Thanks!

 

[HonieButterfly]

Its very typical for schools that have a masters program to admit people who applied to the ph.d program. Usually if a student doesnt make the cut for a ph.d program they will send it down to the masters. Its a good opportunity in regards to getting your foot in the door. You could do your masters with the faculty you originally applied too and Im sure they wouldnt mind keeping you for the long run. However, yes its somewhat a waste of money and time so thats something you would have to think about. I have never heard of schools offering that as a unconditional admissions offer or an alternate to being waitlisted. However, you can assume that if you do great in their masters program your advisor wouldnt mind keeping u on for ph.d programs.

 

[Psyclops]

LB, take a look at some past posts, people have discussed Columbia TC in detail. You might find some more info there. Good luck.

 

[flanagan10]

I would be very careful about doing this. I have two friends that had the exact same experience at the exact same school. One had a great outcome. She did the program at TC, and then went on into the Phd program. I also spoke with a faculty member at TC recently who told me that almost 60% of the current PhD students did their master's at TC. But I also had a friend who went there, couldn't get any advising, spend all this money, and took 3 years to complete the degree, and didn't even get any publications. That being said, TC is really not a reputable research program unless you work with George Bonanno or perhaps one or two other researchers.

 

[SaraL124]

It's Columbia Teachers College. I am thinking about the same thing. It's pointless to do a master there if I have to go through the PhD application process again, unless they make it clear that, as you said, if I do well in the master, I can be accepted to their PhD. I should probably call to find out.
But Thanks!

That happenned to me too at TC. I would not go. Rather, spend the extra time in a RA position and then reapply next year or in 2 years.

I think some schools do cycle their PhD rejects into the Master's programs. It's not insulting, it's a way for the school to make money. I think of it as sort of a consolation prize...useless nonetheless.

 

[SaraL124]

Its very typical for schools that have a masters program to admit people who applied to the ph.d program. Usually if a student doesnt make the cut for a ph.d program they will send it down to the masters. Its a good opportunity in regards to getting your foot in the door. You could do your masters with the faculty you originally applied too and Im sure they wouldnt mind keeping you for the long run. However, yes its somewhat a waste of money and time so thats something you would have to think about. I have never heard of schools offering that as a unconditional admissions offer or an alternate to being waitlisted. However, you can assume that if you do great in their masters program your advisor wouldnt mind keeping u on for ph.d programs.

I don't know that you can assume that if you do well in the MS program they will keep you on for the PhD. I actually think that you may be at a disadvantage coming from MS to PhD at the same school. At my school, this is not looked highly upon and it is extremely rare for MS students to get accepted to the PhD program here. They will still weigh you against other applicants from outside that school system. Be careful.

 

[Mell-Dogg]

I think some schools do cycle their PhD rejects into the Master's programs. It's not insulting, it's a way for the school to make money.

I think treating students like potential sources of profit instead of potential colleagues IS insulting.

 

[SaraL124]

Well, see my opinion is if you are accepted into the MS program they do not see you as a potential colleague.

 

[PsychoEm]

Two years ago, I applied to phd programs, and didnt get in anywhere, so I accepted TC's offer to be in their masters program instead. HUGE mistake. the program is really really terrible- disorganized and meaningless. i got absolutely nothing out of it (except for a very expensive piece of paper that says columbia). i wouldnt recommend it to anyone.

 

[HonieButterfly]

I don't know that you can assume that if you do well in the MS program they will keep you on for the PhD. I actually think that you may be at a disadvantage coming from MS to PhD at the same school. At my school, this is not looked highly upon and it is extremely rare for MS students to get accepted to the PhD program here. They will still weigh you against other applicants from outside that school system. Be careful.

I assume its very possible if you have a great relationship with your advisor and have been a great student. I say this also because there are schools that do this typically. I know Suny- Buffalo does because I know several people that took the MA route and transferred in. I know someone from American university who did the same too and I know from a faculty member at Northern Illinois University who encourage it and its very possible. However, I am not assuming all programs do so but I dont think its something unlikely. In my own opinion though like I said previously its a waste of money and time in some aspects. If you dont need to beef up your grades I suggest not going and instead get an RA position. Also, as a native of NYC, I heard TC- Columbia is horrid. However, I wouldnt make any decision (reject or accept) before contacting the faculty you would want to work with and ensuring you can work on your masters thesis with them and just finding out what they will offer. Not all masters program you have a faculty advisor you have to seek them out.