I am applying for graduate school outside the field of my degrees. Should I settle for a lower quality school

Question

I have a B.A. in Psychology and I am on my way to an M.A. in the same field. I am planning to switch out and go into a Master's Program in History. Should I apply to lesser programs anticipating that higher quality programs will want experienced History students or do you think it will have no bearing on my application?

Answer 1

Actually, you are probably going to have to take some extra history courses in order to qualify for the Ph.D. program anyway, so you may as well go for a university that has a good reputation in history. You may have to do a year or even two of pre-doctorate work, but a lot of what you took in completing your current program will apply.

Lots of people change majors at the masters level. The sooner you make the switch, the more time you have to catch up on what you missed.

Good luck! I would prefer history to psychology myself if I was still in school.

Answer 2

Often graduate schools actually prefer people who don't conform the exact standard and either have work experience or have an undergraduate degree in a different field. I guess it would depend also a lot on your grades. If you got good grades throughout, your chances are good for any history program. Pick out your top 3 preferred schools and phone them and ask them if they would have prerequisites you would have to fulfil before applying.
If you get in, they probably would make you take a couple of additional undergrad classes, but that's all.
I don't know for history programs, but for a masters program in art some schools do require an undergrad art degree, others couldn't care less. And it's not the case that the better schools all require the undergrad degree, it's pretty much random.

Answer 3

well, it all depends on your knowledge of the subject and how hard you want to work? you should apply to the college, where you can compete and get some good grades.

Answer 4

u should visit http://www.myeduplanet.com It is really good site for education related queries.