<p>Applied MA program Applied Linguistics:
Teachers College, Columbia University
San Diego State University</p>
<p>So far, I’ve been accepted to Columbia and SDSU. Haven’t heard back yet from the other three schools I applied to. </p>
<p>Columbia is my 1st choice, but I totally cannot afford it! I already have a ton of undergrad loan debt and finishing my MA at CU would put me well over $100,000 in debt before I even enroll in a PhD program! Actually, if I choose CU, I will have to go part time for the 1st year because of cost. Hopefully, by the 2nd year I would have a TA/GA position or some form of departmental funding. But, during the 1st year, I would have to work A LOT to pay my rent/food/etc in NYC. Probably full time work while taking 6 creds. I don’t want to be super stressed out and too tired to do quality work and enjoy the experience. That being said though, I think an MA from CU may help me get into a fully funded/stipend doctorate program basically anywhere I want to go. </p>
<p>On the other hand, I can go to SDSU for my MA for about 1/2 the cost of CU. Even cheaper during my 2nd year when I get in-state tuition. I can finish my MA and still be under $100,000 in debt. Then, I can apply to PhD programs at the Ivies. Pros besides cost: I could study at SDSU while only having to work 12-20 hours/wk. The weather is way better in San Diego too. Looks like I could probably get a TA/GA position during my 2nd semester or definitely during my 2nd year. </p>
<p>Basically, I’m in the same position that many others are in. Do I choose the ‘prestigious’ private school and accept the debt and hardships that will come w/ it? Do I just suck it up and make that happen, even if it means working a lot and living off rice and ramen? Or, do I stick w/ a cheaper state school for my Master’s and then focus on getting into a top school for my PhD? How much will the reputation/name of my Master’s institution affect my potential for getting into a top doctorate program? I feel like I will be guaranteed acceptance into a doctoral program wherever I want to go if I get my MA at CU (as long as I do well, which I will). It seems like I would be a shoe-in to the doctoral program at CU as well.</p>
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This. You would be a fool for going into that much debt at Columbia.</p>
<p>^Agreed, so long as the state school can get you into the PhD progam (check where grads from that program usually end up).</p>
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There is no conditional statement required. There is NO, absolutely NO, excuse for going into debt at Columbia.</p>
<p>The OP is more likely to do quality work at that “state school” (which does have a name). Working around the clock and attending part-time is not at all conducive to a quality PhD application. </p>
<p>The recommended mantra for graduate school is “no funding, no go,” and that applies in this situation. Applied linguistics is not a lucrative field, and I suspect the OP already has more debt than most people would be comfortable with.</p>
<p>First of all, you are totally right. I do have much more debt than I (or anyone) am comfortable with. That’s really what it comes down to. Sure, I’ve wanted to go to Columbia for years and I’ve wanted to live in NYC forever. But, sometimes, reality is reality. I’m still planning to contact Financial Aid at CU to see if there are ANY other options, but I’m not holding my breath. My thinking has been that I could go part time for the 1st year, and then get a TA/GA/RA position w/ a tuition waiver for the remainder of my time there. The first year would be hell though. Like I said, probably working 30-40 hours/wk plus 6 creds/semester. </p>
<p>I guess I am mostly trying to determine how important one’s MA program is to being accepted into a fully funded PhD program w/ a stipend and such. I figured that, if I go to Columbia then I will be a shoe-in for their doctoral program (or another Ivy). But, I suppose you are right when you say that my PhD application will come down to the quality of work I do during my MA, regardless of the university I do it at.
I’m still waiting to hear back from my local (in-state) university and Boston University as well. So, this may not end up just being a Columbia (w/ a lot of new debt) vs SDSU (w/ a decent amount of new debt) issue. </p>
<p>Thank you to everyone who has replied to my thread. I really appreciate it. Any other commentary on the importance of program name/reputation in relation to Ivy doctorate admissions is highly welcomed. Thanks guys - Arem</p>
<p>What did you choose? Did SDSU work out? What were the pros and cons? I am looking at the question of where to go for linguistics/applied linguistics, myself (UMass Boston, online, Rhode Island College, SDSU…)</p>
<p>My thoughts on the two I’m sampling: [Julia</a> Likes Frogs: Post class debriefing](<a href=“http://julialikesfrogs.blogspot.com/2012/06/post-class-debriefing.html]Julia”>Post class debriefing)</p>