UW has very competitive history and anthropology departments. I can't speak to that particular interdisciplinary program, but if it reflects these departments it will be quite competitive.
Yes, history and anthro at UW are tough because they're top notch programs, but the interdisciplinary MA (Jackson School?) is easier to get into, relatively speaking. I don't mean to say admission is guaranteed. But it's safe to say that funding is less a concern for MA programs in EAS -- rather, most of them (the ones worth their salt, anyway) are more concerned with improving the pool of applicants to PhD programs or non-academic positions. So when they look to admit a student, they're not thinking of big stakes like "Can we support this person in our program for the next 5-7 years?" but rather, "Will this person be able to demonstrate their potential in the next 2 years? Do they actually want what our program has to offer (to the extent that they may be willing to pay for it themselves)?" It's more like that.
From what the OP has posted previously, I think he/she is in a good enough position that 'competitiveness' of MA programs shouldn't be a major concern.
I didn't even read your response when I posted the above comment about UW, I was just responding to the poster based on my thoughts on those related departments. I just remember that even their UG program was competitive to get into. MAs are definitely much less competitive than PhDs, and certainly interdisciplinary programs can allow you to get through cracks that the departments themselves would not necessarily allow.
However, I believe that Jackson school is typically an IR based school and only offers terminal masters, which would not necessarily make it interdisciplinary in the traditional sense- and that would make the masters quite a bit more competitive than somewhere that had both MA and PhD and an "asian" department because you'll be competing with IR people. So I agree with you that it's easier overall, but I would think there would be many easier schools than UW to get into.
A student in my program went to the Jackson school (we are not an IR department) & got a lot of excellent interdisc. work done. He was an English lit major in college.
UW loses competitive admits because their funding situation, at least in EAS, is really, really bad.
Said student actually does work on ethnic minorities in China (I was quite impressed they had faculty to teach some of the more obscure languages) - UW has a REALLY neat & diverse faculty. Funding is hard to come by at the MA level in general, but UW has "interesting" admissions reqs. that put the financial burden on the student during coursework, even those looking for the full PhD & not simply an MA.
Can I ask what said student is planning to do with that now?
I really like UW's program. I wasn't aware of their funding situation, though. I was only applying to state schools because I thought they'd be more economical. I guess at the MA level it might not matter where I went in terms of funding, is that right?
UW is not a cheap university to attend if you are not a resident of the state of WA and they don't provide funding. Seattle is also quite expensive to live in. I guess its more economical than some private schools, but still hefty.
For not being an IR department they sure do pump out a lot of foreign policy/dept. of state people. Perhaps a less competitive place or more convenient place for people who didn't make it into east coast schools or didn't want to attend them?
Re: anonymous
anonymous
December 7 2009, 06:44:42 UTC
I would guess there would be some non tier one universities out there, with perhaps better funding. If you really like the university, and you have the background to match up to the program like another user suggested you do, then definitely go for it. It is a very good school, if you have reservations about your background though, there are many other universities out there. It's all about fit - and I know I found through my own search that many schools that fit me weren't necessarily the ones I would have thought of initially as being "the best".
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From what the OP has posted previously, I think he/she is in a good enough position that 'competitiveness' of MA programs shouldn't be a major concern.
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However, I believe that Jackson school is typically an IR based school and only offers terminal masters, which would not necessarily make it interdisciplinary in the traditional sense- and that would make the masters quite a bit more competitive than somewhere that had both MA and PhD and an "asian" department because you'll be competing with IR people. So I agree with you that it's easier overall, but I would think there would be many easier schools than UW to get into.
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UW loses competitive admits because their funding situation, at least in EAS, is really, really bad.
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I really like UW's program. I wasn't aware of their funding situation, though. I was only applying to state schools because I thought they'd be more economical. I guess at the MA level it might not matter where I went in terms of funding, is that right?
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which would those be?
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