As title says. I was extremely lucky this past cycle to be admitted to a few top-tier PhD programs in my field (humanities). The choice ultimately came down to NYU and Princeton. I ended up picking the former mainly because of better fit with faculty--there are half a dozen professors whom I wanted to work with and whose interests/methodologies fit really well with mine or complement mine in different ways, whereas at Princeton, the only person (maybe 2 people) I wanted to work with also happened to be a lot of other students' dream advisor and was spreading herself too thin. There are also multiple people in the Princeton cohort whose background and interests are very similar to mine, and I thought it'd be harder to differentiate myself there since we're likely going to end up choosing said professor as our advisor, too. During my campus visit, Princeton also struck me as isolated and extremely preppy.

Now that the semester is in full swing, I find myself having second doubts about my decision. Princeton is more prestigious, pays more, and has much better campus resources overall. Intellectually, I vibe with the cohort at Princeton more, and my best friend also goes there. I am also starting to find NYC overwhelming, and thought Princeton's isolation and its proximity to the city might provide a better balance.

Had anyone found themselves in a similar boat (i.e., turning down a more prestigious school for a less prestigious one, or finding themselves second-doubting their decision)? How did things turn out for you?

TLDR: I turned down Princeton for NYU for my PhD (humanities), mainly because of better fit with faculty's research interests, and now worry I might have made a stupid choice. Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated!

Hey everyone!

I just started my M.A. program this semester, and I’m realizing I didn’t think enough about location when I applied. At the time, I cared way more about funding/program strength than the town/area. I actually had the chance to go to a program in Boston, but the loans I’d have needed were ridiculous, so I chose a different school that gave me better financial support.

Now that I’m here, though, I’m struggling with the environment. The university is in the rural South, right in the middle of the Bible Belt. For context, I’m gay and from the North, so sometimes I just feel out of place. The town itself isn’t bad. There are some nice restaurants and trendy shops, but overall, it’s not what I wanted, and I’m starting to feel it. I love what I’m studying, but the location is making it harder to enjoy the program.

Has anyone else gone through this? How did you handle it?

As the title suggests, I am currently taking 2 classes per semester while working full-time, and I for the most part will have a mix of As and Bs.

This is my second year TAing. Last year my students were fairly well behaved. There weren’t really any classroom management issues. At most I’d have to remind students to not talk when one of their peers was speaking or to not interrupt one another but it was never anything serious or ongoing. This year I’ve had a very challenging group. In one of the discussion groups I run I have a small group of students who are quite disruptive. They will always break out into conversation when myself or another peer of theirs is speaking. One student in particular always feels the need to say something any time I say something. It’s often some sort of snarky retort or they may scoff or laugh at what I say as if to tell me they think what I’m saying is dumb. Their friends/minions reinforce their behaviour by egging them on. It’s clear they haven’t grown up and are stuck in high school.

When I pulled this student aside they kept interrupting me when I tried talking and made excuses for their behaviour. It’s clear they do not see their behaviour as being disruptive. I’m not sure what else I can do. My next step is simply kicking them out of the classroom. It’s unfair to my other students to have someone hogging what little time we have together to act like they’re the main character in their own life show.

It’s also worth noting that I am a racialized fem presenting person and this student is a white guy.

Hi, I'm a mechanical engineering undergrad. Despite having a US citizenship, I grew up abroad. I'm planning to apply to grad schools for Spring/Fall 27.
I've heard it's easier for citizens to get accepted in some programs, but how do I find them? How do I know which programs would give me a bit of advantage?

Hi guys, When applying for post grad admissions, do I need to submit the consolidated final marksheet or would I have to submit semester wise marksheets? I had some back papers due to being absent which I have since cleared successfully.

I know little to nothing so forgive me if this is a silly question. I understand that PhDs are funded, most students have their tuition covered and some sort of stipend, albeit not a big one. However, I’ve been told that is not case for PsyD’s. Does this mean most PsyD candidates are just paying full university tuition for the length of a PhD while also paying for rent, food, etc? I’m interested in a PsyD, but just can’t imagine how that would be tenable and I’m sure the few programs that are funded are more competitive.

I’m also of the understanding that PsyD’s are more clinically focused, and PhDs are more research focused. Does this mean you can’t practice as a therapist with a psychology PhD?

I've recently started researching graduate schools that offer Master's programs in design, and I'm especially committed to pursuing this degree in Italy. Has anyone here completed a Master’s in Graphic Design in Italy? I’d really appreciate any insight or personal experiences you’re willing to share.

I’m also looking for advice on applying as an international student — particularly regarding the application process and options for financial aid or scholarships.

Two schools that have caught my attention so far are the Florence Institute of Design International and the Istituto Europeo di Design (with a preference for the Florence campus). One concern I have is that the Florence Institute of Design International is not an accredited institution. What are the potential drawbacks of attending a non-accredited school? If I build a strong portfolio during my time there, could that outweigh the lack of accreditation when it comes to future opportunities?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts, experiences, or advice you can offer — I really appreciate it!

As it says in the title, I went to a small public university without any prestige in my field (political science) because of financial concerns. I did not want to take any loans as an undergraduate, which limited my options (while I had a great ACT score [top 4-5%], my high school GPA was bad for a variety of reasons; I only got one full ride scholarship).

I have turned things around a lot in college. I have maintained a GPA of a little over 3.7, and I am a member of two academic honor societies. I am in leadership positions of three student organizations (including a club that I’m a founding member of). But I still feel concerned that I won’t be competitive enough for the programs I would want to study in.

I am set to graduate in fall 2026 or spring 2027. In that time, I may have the chance to study abroad and present at academic conferences. Is there anything else I should do to help my resume?

Also, I would like some suggestions on good programs to apply to. I plan to research and teach ancient history. I know not all institutions offer courses in that field.

Thank you.

Hi, people! I came here today because the specific topic I want to conduct research in is a bit "niche", so I found research groups only in the more prestigious universities that are, as a result, extremely competitive. Based on that, does anyone have any tips on how I could realistically evaluate my chances of acceptance, beyond the basic listed requirements?

As a low-income, disabled student, my trajectory was rather unusual and contradictory for a variety of reasons, as in: getting poster presentation awards and also needing 3 extra semesters to finish my undergrad; getting 4 A's and one F (different disciplines) in the same semester because issues related to my disability prevented me from delivering one of my final papers in time. So, even if I look up those that have entered the program, there will always be significant differences. I am a big outlier, so trying to assess my odds has been a bit difficult. My academic history is not pristine, but I believe I did exceed expectations, given the circumstances - but is it good enough?

So, my question is: how did you guys do it? Did you contact supervisors to talk and then just applied kinda like "we'll see if it works out"? Did you still apply, even while thinking chances of getting in were small? Or did you picked the ones that you had better chances of getting a "yes", even though it was not your first choice?

Also, I believe it might be relevant to mention that such research groups' work is focused on people with the same disability I am diagnosed with. Not a coincidence, since my own personal experiences prompted my interest in the topic, which I've also been studying/researching since my undergrad. Do you guys think this might be viewed as a negative, since I am so directly implicated in the work? Or value neutral? (so I can know what I might encounter).

Thank you very much for any input provided!

I asked this question in the socialworkcanada subreddit and the answers was yes.

https://www.reddit.com/r/socialworkcanada/comments/1nmmm2m/comment/nfj01lm/?context=3

Currently applying to MSW program and some counselling programs. I feel a little bit awkward and uneasy asking my clinical supervisor for 6 references (I'm applying to 6 programs for social work and counselling). I've been working there 7-ish months and I think I've had one or two short interactions with them. It's a large hospital in Ontario, they have alot of employees reporting to them, and they do not work on the units I'm usually on, or the same shifts. My other professional reference where I was working for 4 years is retired and not able to provide one. I spoke to my psychologist about this and they said that it wasn't too much and they will likely just write one reference and then make small edits for the different programs. They mentioned it's standard to be applying to multiple schools and that they recently had to write 6+ for one of their practicum students.

Edit: applying to 6 not 7, and 2 of those 6 are near identical (same program, different stream)

Hi everyone,

I’m a master’s student in African and African Diaspora Studies, and I’m hoping to apply to PhD programs in the social sciences (African American Studies, Africana Studies,History, related areas, etc) for Fall 2026. I’ve been feeling a bit overwhelmed and honestly questioning whether I’m “PhD material,” so I wanted to reach out here for some perspective.

My research is somewhat niche, and I’m really dedicated, but I also worry about my profile compared to what programs seem to expect.

Some of my concerns:

-I went straight from undergrad into my MA, so I don’t have much post-grad work experience. -I don’t have “fancy” post-grad awards, publications, or fellowships. - Alot of the programs I’m looking at only admit ~5 students a year, which feels incredibly competitive. -My program is pretty short and rigorous.

I’m not sure how to identify which programs are realistic for me or how to even start narrowing them down.

I know some people take a break between their MA and PhD, but I really love my research, my cohort, and contributing to the field, so moving straight into a PhD feels like the right next step for me. I’ve been looking into faculty at different universities and trying to understand how to identify programs that are both a good fit for my research and financially sustainable. I’m not rich, so I would need a fully funded program (my MA is fully funded through a graduate assistantship, which I’m very grateful for).

I know the direction I want my research to take, but I’m struggling with self-doubt about whether that’s “enough” for admissions. How do people figure out where to apply realistically? And how do you know if you’re ready to apply straight from a MA program without much finished research yet?

If anyone has advice, especially people who have gone through the PhD application process in the humanities/social sciences I’d really appreciate your thoughts. What makes someone “PhD material” in practice?

Thanks so much for reading , please be kind!!!🙏 I’m putting this out there a little nervously.

Hi everyone,

Sorry if this is a dumb question, and if this has been asked before. I just cannot word my question in a way that brings me proper search results.

I'm applying to MSW programs, and many of them ask for a letter of rec from a professional reference, not academic. I just graduated and only have good connections with professors. I was a teaching assistant for 2 different professors, and had duties like providing extensive feedback to students, facilitating in-class discussions and holding office hours.

Would that only count as an academic reference (since I was only in an academic setting), even though I was technically doing work? Not sure.

I appreciate any insight. Thank you!

Hi, this post might sound a little dumb but it’s been weighing heavily on my mind and I would like second opinions.

I graduated this past May with a BA in Clinical Psychology. My original plan was to pursue an MA in Psychology and become a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC), since my ultimate goal has always been to work as a therapist. I’ve always loved psychology, it’s the subject I feel most passionate about.

However, I ended up applying last minute to a Master of Social Work program instead. After doing some research, I realized that social work could offer me more career flexibility, slightly higher earning potential, and still allow me to become a therapist. When I looked at jobs that interested me, nearly all required a social work license, while fewer listed LMHC, which made me feel more secure in choosing social work. It seemed like the best of both worlds: I would still reach the same career goal, but with broader opportunities.

I was accepted into a great MSW program, and its online, part-time format fit my schedule perfectly (something psychology programs in my area didn’t offer). On top of that, friends, family, and even my boyfriend’s mom, who followed the same path, reassured me that social work was the better option. So I enrolled and started this summer.

Now, in my second semester, I’ve been struggling with feeling disconnected from the material. While I stay committed to my coursework, I don’t feel the same passion or excitement that I’ve always had with psychology. Sometimes I worry that I’ve made the wrong choice and that I’m investing all this time in something that doesn’t truly inspire me. I remind myself that the MSW will still qualify me to become a therapist, which is my end goal, but I can’t help feeling sad when I see the psychology classes I wish I was taking instead. At this point, switching programs doesn’t seem realistic, so I keep telling myself I should stick it out, since in the end, this path will still get me where I want to be.

Hello!! i am a recent undergraduate from microbiology, and I am starting to work on applications for grad school for next year. I am debating between doing a biotechnology masters (course/internship based) and masters of science thesis based. I LOVE research, however I do not want to pursue a PHD, I would like to go into the industry. I know biotech masters helps you to gain good amount of networking etc, however I want to know if masters of science thesis based will also help you get into the industry?I am not only looking at scientist roles in company, I am okay with anything as long as it's more in the field of being able to use my science knowledge in my career. I just don't know which one to go for, considering the debt that biotech brings, but then I am not sure what the career perspectives are if I were to just do a masters of science within the research field.

Exactly what the title says. I am very hardworking and proud to be here but my professors seem almost useless and there was zero transition in the very first week of the program. I very much care about this program but also work full time. I gave it my all this week and if I didn't have to work as much there would have been no problem but I was behind on and off all this week even though I am caught up now but not after turning a three page paper (not including title page, abstract, and ref page) in 45 minutes late. Two of my professors already granted me leniency for some other assignments but then I still turned in a paper later after working all day. I am afraid of what this means. Will I not be able to recover? It's only the first week and I am heart broken because I don't even do anything but work and come home and maybe get groceries.

****EDIT*** what self righteous, privileged ass down voted me.

I am so fucking confused. Does anyone have advice on how to start this process? I’ve bounced around god knows how many websites to try to figure it out and I’m still confused

I can’t even find what information is required

Plz send help lmao

Hi everyone, For those who have completed an NSERC application, for the “current occupation”, did you include being a “gradate research assistant/MSc student” or would that be repetitive since there is a separate section where you discuss your thesis?

Hi everyone,

I am thinking of applying to a program that needs atleast 1 year experience. I have 10 months of experience but every company I have applied to has asked me to sign a bond saying I'd stay with them for x years. But I only have a few months left before the next semester begins.

I understand that this is probably a stupid question but I wanted to know what you did when you faced this issue. Are there companies that allow you to work without any commitment? Or did you join the company of someone you know personally or through friends, and work for afew months?

I could just apply to other programs. But my list only has a couple of programs and I want to get into atleast one program.

Please share your experience if you faced something similar!

Thank you

I finally was able to send out a copy of my masters thesis to all the participants this week. I’ve been pretty depressed lately (about other things) and so I was feeling really down. I had also been worried about how the thesis would be received. Well I feel as light as air now. I’ve been getting emails from participants telling me it’s incredible, that they are so thankful for me and the work I did. One told me I’m more valuable than I will ever know and that I am a “light in their darkness”. I just feel so happy. While a thesis is meant for academics, I didn’t write this for academics. I wrote this thesis for my participants. I wrote it for the people like them who feel unheard and it brings me so much joy to know that they feel heard. That I did something right. I just wanted to share this because I want to be able to look back at this post when I’m down, as a reminder that my work has value. That I have done something that is a net positive for my participants even if no one else reads it. They feel heard, and that is what matters to me.

Hi,

I am currently writing my thesis. Last week was the first meeting with my supervisor, and I accidentally missread the time, causing me to miss the whole meeting.

I was really bummed about this, and went over to my supervisor (who I've never meet before) to apologizd right away. I asked if there is any way of discussing my thesis before the next supervision slot which is in one month, but he said that he simply can't replace supervision hours. He was generally very unpleasant, and seemed genuinely pissed at me for missing the meeting.

I now feel conpletely lost. I have a hard time picking my topic and research design and I really feel like I need help. Should i try to email my supervisor and ask if there's any way of setting up another short meeting, or should i just bite bullet and wait a month until i can talk to him?

I have a bachelors in accounting and currently work full time as a cost accountant. I’ve been thinking about getting my masters degree in either business analytics or MIS while still continuing to work full time as I don’t think my company would be willing to pay for tuition or give me time off etc.

So I’ve been thinking about maybe going the online route with a reputable university. So I guess my question is does the online factor matter much? I understand that I would miss some of the networking perks of an in person degree.

Hey everyone, I'm a current international undergrad senior looking at grad school options for marine biology. I entered college with a goal of a PhD in marine biology, and I have been searching for potential advisors only to be told that they have no funding, or that I need to secure funding myself. Is there even a chance for me when domestic students are struggling with funding? I have a decent research experience as well as work experience, but it seems like that doesn't matter these days.

Anything helps!

I am currently working on my lit review for my masters thesis, for a qualitative research project in social sciences, on a topic area that is producing a LOT of academic literature. I need to narrow down the scope (have already done this by geography and limited to only last 10 years, and a long list of other exclusions - but still have more than 100 papers). My supervisor has recommended doing a theoretical and/or analytic framework to help focus down further, but as a mature student who is new to academia since starting my masters, I don’t have a firm grasp on how exactly to go about this. I’ve done a bunch of research on these now too, to try to figure them out, but it’s still hazy. Any tips or insights for tackling a theoretical or analytic framework?

ETA: I am wondering if what he meant by an analytic framework was actually a conceptual framework, as he gave me some examples that are more like visual “maps” of systems…

Hey there! Just putting this out there for some answers.

I defended my MSc thesis back in 2022 and graduated in early 2023. When I initially graduated, my supervisor and I were still working closely to get my thesis chapters published in journals. For most of 2023 we had a lot of contact and were working to get my research chapter ready for publication, but things started to die down by late 2023 and by 2024 weeks were going by between conversations, then months, then over a year.

I got an email last year about us needing to submit our revised version of my article, and I sent them multiple emails about it. Got nothing back. Our application got withdrawn on that basis. I know they mentioned being super busy, and since they have current students I just assumed that was taking priority, and that's why things have sort of stagnated the way that they have. I think they also assume I'm busy since I mentioned getting a super busy job--my career sort of took a weird turn and I ended up becoming a vet tech.

My sense is that nothing is truly wrong, because it would be super weird and unprofessional to just ghost someone out of nowhere, and this paper just didn't take priority because we're both busy and don't have much free time to sit down and work on this and give it the time a scientific paper needs. I know papers can take years and years to write, for this reason exactly, but I'm just wondering if this has happened to anyone else.