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Will your prior graduate degree be held against you in admis
USINFO | 2013-12-30 14:36
Question: Will your prior graduate degree be held against you in admissions?
Answer: A reader recently wrote in with an unusual question. He was applying for an MFA in Film, but he already held a master's degree in communications/journalism. He asks whether he should reveal his graduate degree to the admissions committee by submitting both undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
Certainly this is an unusual situation, but I suspect that it's less unusual than this reader believes. If you're in a similar situation, definately send your graduate transcripts as they provide the mostinsight into your potential as a graduate student. In your admissions essay, or a seperately submitted statement, you can explain why you're pursuing this second degree and how it fits into your career/life plan.
In considering this particular case, it seems that the prior master's degree in communications fits well with the reader's desire to earn an MFA in film because they're different forms of media with similar goals. The trick is to make an argument that will convince the admissions committee that the move makes sense. If you're in a similar situation, construct a personal statement statement that explains the link between your degree and the one you wish to earn as well as and what you'd like to do upon graduation (i.e., how will you use your second degree)?
Answer: A reader recently wrote in with an unusual question. He was applying for an MFA in Film, but he already held a master's degree in communications/journalism. He asks whether he should reveal his graduate degree to the admissions committee by submitting both undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
Certainly this is an unusual situation, but I suspect that it's less unusual than this reader believes. If you're in a similar situation, definately send your graduate transcripts as they provide the mostinsight into your potential as a graduate student. In your admissions essay, or a seperately submitted statement, you can explain why you're pursuing this second degree and how it fits into your career/life plan.
In considering this particular case, it seems that the prior master's degree in communications fits well with the reader's desire to earn an MFA in film because they're different forms of media with similar goals. The trick is to make an argument that will convince the admissions committee that the move makes sense. If you're in a similar situation, construct a personal statement statement that explains the link between your degree and the one you wish to earn as well as and what you'd like to do upon graduation (i.e., how will you use your second degree)?
