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Assume I finish the MoL in one year, what then?

Oct 12, 20244 min read

Before beginning to answer the question that gives the title to this page, I want to analyse under which conditions it actually makes sense to finish the M.Sc. Logic (UvA) in one year, i.e. at the end of the 6th Semester. To proceed, I describe a possible (perhaps even probable) optimal scenario in which I would certainly decide to finish the master in this first year; I will then proceed the discussion assuming that such an optima scenario is actual.

The Best Possible World

I would certainly decide to finish the M.Sc. Logic (UvA) in one year, if:

  1. By the end of the 5th Semester, I have enough credits (that is, neglecting any potential mark below 7.0) so that I can focus on the writing of the thesis for my 6th Semester
  2. My average of grades is significantly above 8.0, if I am well-organised, it is uploaded at MoL_Marks (SIP.py)
  3. I have a good Thesis project, that is:
    • I have, or may have in time, good familiarity with the literature
    • It is in the field in which I want to work in the future

Given these assumptions, before the end of September / October I will be graduated at the ILLC in the M.Sc. Logic (UvA) with honors, perhaps, I will also consider the ELLIS Honours Programme.

Potential Following Roads

In general, there are three roads that I may consider:

  1. Begin a good PhD
  2. Stay at the ILLC to do research as a MoL student
  3. Try to work for one year

I clearly have preferences among these three scenarios, that is, I would definitely prioritise the first option but only if that is in one of my favourite universities. With a similar approach as above, I almost solely consider the best possible scenario, i.e. I see what I should do to get in a PhD position I would really like; if that will not be the case, I will take into consideration the alternatives.

Applying for PhD Positions

Given that I am unsure in which topic I want to write the thesis, I am clearly unsure on the precise filed in which i want to do my PhD and therefore picking one department becomes particularly complicated.

Complications with US Applications: there are several difficulties in applying in universities in the US, since I would not have my M.Sc. Logic (UvA) completed by that time. Deadlines seem to be around January (at least this is the case for Princeton) and by that time I would have done the first semester, which could actually already be most of the credits other than the thesis. On top of that, I can also submit data linked to the website, which will then be updated (in case marks were still to come by the deadline).

Candidate PhD Positions

I divide here the applications I will do in the US and those I will do in Europe, since the deadlines, procedure and general structure of the studies are radically different. In general, I would both appreciate an experience in the US personally and I would also enjoy to have some more taught courses, since I cannot yet feel to have a broad enough background to properly do research. To find most universities I may be interested in, I use philosophicalgourmet.com.

PhD Position in the US: here I list all those that may be interesting and to which I consider applying:

PhD Positions in EU: applying to European positions should be less pressing with deadlines, I consider applying:

  • University of Amsterdam: ILLC
  • Ludwig Maximilian University: MCMP
  • Oxford University: DPhil
  • (Vienna?)
  • (Constance?)

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