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Looking for advice--

Last year I entered a PhD program, did ok in the classes (~3.2 GPA) but didn't pass the summer qualifying exams for the second year. Thus I was demoted to the master's track and left recently with an MA. This is reasonably common in my field, but do you think it will be looked at unfavorably by adcomms? On the plus side, it's a graduate degree, but on the minus side, I got kicked out of a grad program, which doesn't sound too good. Thoughts?

halcyon773 wrote:Looking for advice--

Last year I entered a PhD program, did ok in the classes (~3.2 GPA) but didn't pass the summer qualifying exams for the second year. Thus I was demoted to the master's track and left recently with an MA. This is reasonably common in my field, but do you think it will be looked at unfavorably by adcomms? On the plus side, it's a graduate degree, but on the minus side, I got kicked out of a grad program, which doesn't sound too good. Thoughts?

econ?

Think about how many law students got undergraduate degrees in worthless disciplines and went to law school because they figured it was the perfect way for a sociology major to make $160,000.

I'm pretty sure you'll be fine.

Also, adcomms only truly care about your undergraduate GPA.

lsat_fear wrote:

halcyon773 wrote:Looking for advice--

Last year I entered a PhD program, did ok in the classes (~3.2 GPA) but didn't pass the summer qualifying exams for the second year. Thus I was demoted to the master's track and left recently with an MA. This is reasonably common in my field, but do you think it will be looked at unfavorably by adcomms? On the plus side, it's a graduate degree, but on the minus side, I got kicked out of a grad program, which doesn't sound too good. Thoughts?

econ?

Yes indeed.

How would they ever know you didn't chose to give up the PhD and graduate with just a masters?

I'm only saying this because I'm finishing up a Ph.D. right now. So many people just quit with a masters. Would it even be indicated in your transcript that you started as a Ph.D. and then left with just a masters? I would just add an addendum, saying you figured a Ph.D. was not for you.

s254w wrote:How would they ever know you didn't chose to give up the PhD and graduate with just a masters?

I'm only saying this because I'm finishing up a Ph.D. right now. So many people just quit with a masters. Would it even be indicated in your transcript that you started as a Ph.D. and then left with just a masters? I would just add an addendum, saying you figured a Ph.D. was not for you.

In most applications, the academic conduct question seems to require that I disclose it. Otherwise, it's not indicated on my transcript or anything.

Hmm. I see your point. Well, if you answer "yes" to those questions, you need to add a statement anyway. I think this is something easily fixed by a good graduate school professor recommendation (attesting to your ability to carry out advanced academic study), and a statement saying you realized the ph.d. was not a good fit for you.

halcyon773 wrote:

s254w wrote:How would they ever know you didn't chose to give up the PhD and graduate with just a masters?

I'm only saying this because I'm finishing up a Ph.D. right now. So many people just quit with a masters. Would it even be indicated in your transcript that you started as a Ph.D. and then left with just a masters? I would just add an addendum, saying you figured a Ph.D. was not for you.

In most applications, the academic conduct question seems to require that I disclose it. Otherwise, it's not indicated on my transcript or anything.

Is not qualifying for PhD track academic misconduct? Doesn't seem like it to me.