0

Suppose, a research school in the USA offers a Joint/Dual (Education + English) PhD program. That university has an acceptance rate of 27%.

Understandably, someone with either an MA in Education or MA in English can apply for that program.

Do having 2 masters (MA in Ed + MA in English) increase the chance of getting acceptance in that joint PhD program for the student?

Improve this question

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
3

One of the answers here emphasizes that all else equal, the extra prep is better. I understand this rationale but think you may actually getting the wrong idea from it.

Of course all else is not equal. And at the end of the day Ph.D. programs are WAY more interested in talent than experience. So emphasizing doing extra time in the salt mines to make up for past issues (and we get MANY questions down that line of thinking) is probably not an optimal strategy.

This is a key insight you need to consider. Given the massive overproduction of advanced degrees (and the miserable job possibilities because of supply and demand), you really should not enter this "tournament" unless you have confidence that you are well above average. If you need to be doing extra degrees to even get into the tournament? Bad sign.

I realize this answer is both contrary and discouraging. But I would at least consider the alternate insight.

Improve this answer
2
  • This isn't terrible advice, though I'd say, instead of emphasizing how far above average you might be, that you, instead, emphasize how driven you are to doing deep research in a field. I got my doctorate simply because nothing else would do. That drive will get you over the hump and through the hard bits. But, yes, there is a lot of competition for jobs just now.
    – Buffy
    Commented Oct 25, 2019 at 20:38
  • I feel like someone doing a series of degrees in education and English isn't particularly focused on job prospects.
    – A Simple Algorithm
    Commented Oct 26, 2019 at 0:12
0

It will of course depend on the specific school.

However, let us think logically: People are not admitted randomly. Most likely, somebody estimates who has the best chances to succeed in the program. So, all other thongs (recomendation letters, grades, motivation etc.) being equal, it is likely that those people have an advantage in getting admitted.

Improve this answer
3
  • But of course, those things aren't equal. It is the individual record that counts above all.
    – Buffy
    Commented Oct 25, 2019 at 19:27
  • 1
    Yes, sure. So one can not really answer the question.
    – Thomas
    Commented Oct 25, 2019 at 19:29
  • 1
    Actually, no. I agree with you. Preparation is one of those things that help, but no single thing is definitive. And spending time on A (another masters) when you want to really do B (a doctorate) is maybe not the best path.
    – Buffy
    Commented Oct 25, 2019 at 19:32

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .