University of Chicago Reviews

"The Psychology graduate program is very strong. There are many academics in the Department that are leading experts in their respective fields. Classes are HARD and will require you to think very critically. This is not an easy graduate program, but it is definitely worth it if your goal is to apply to doctorate programs. Bonus: the campus architecture is gorgeous and Chicago summers are unmatched."

"The MAPSS at University of Chicago is a rigorous and difficult program that has been enormously important in helping me develop research and writing skills as a scholar. I am grateful for the experiences I had, courses I took, and professors I met at UofC, as this program has been incredible professional opportunity for me. It is best suited for students who are interested in eventually enrolling in Doctoral programs, but without a full scholarship can be extremely expensive. This program, and its sibling in the humanities (MAPH), focus mostly on providing students with the theoretical training necessary to enter a PhD program in a social sciences, or humanities program, although they do a decent job of providing networking opportunities for recent grads and alumni.Read Less"

"The pros of this graduate program is that it only takes one year, so is cheaper than many master's programs even compared to public universities where a student might be a resident. The cons of the program is that it is only for one year! Taking 3 classes per 3 terms plus designing, implementing and writing up a thesis does not leave much time for sanity. My concentration is psychology so that means actually running an experiment then writing a scientific paper. But I am told psychology students actually usually finish before other kinds of social scientists.... We will see. The university is highly collaborative compared to others, is known for high academic standards, and for placing graduates in PhD or jobs afterward.Read Less"

"The Middle Eastern Studies MA program at the University of Chicago is among the best in the world. Its prestige is unmatched by most institutions. While the focus of most of the faculty lies in the history of the Middle East, there is an increasing number of modernists in the program. As a student, you have access to an immense amount of resources, whether they be in the form of books or actual individuals who are willing to help with research, homework, or the pursuit of personal interests. You spend two years in an academically enriching environment surrounded by peers and professors who challenge you. While it is true that the workload is intense, the reward is undeniably worth it.Read Less"

"MAPSS is arguably the best masters program in social sciences anyone can find. It is the absolute best choice is someone is unsure whether he/she wants to apply for a PhD in social sciences. The quality of education is outstanding. The work load is very heavy and students work a lot more than their counterparts in other masters programs, but this is what gives the sense of being in a PhD program."