<p>Let me preface my remarks by saying that I'm have a BS in molecular biology and am looking at graduate school in that sort of area. Anyway, this is something I hear completely conflicting things about. Some people say that schools like PhD applicants and that it's actually easier to get in as a PhD. This just sounds really implausible to me but I'm open to hearing what people think.</p>
<p>Hi squidbilly, think carefully about what you are doing. Unfortunately, masters degrees tend to be the booby prize in science, awarded to individuals who drop out of Phd programs. Often programs will offer a so-called 5 year masters program where people add a year to their undergrad and are awarded a masters degree. In academia and government research, a masters degree isn’t worth much. Even in biotech, a masters degree won’t get you much more than a bachelors.</p>
<p>Masters programs are much easier to get into if for no other reason than because you pay tuition. There is literally no cost for the department or lab to take on a masters student, its like adding an undergrad. Phd programs are more difficult to gain acceptance to because you receive a salary, health insurance and somebody in the nebulous world of academia pays your tuition (training grants, PI’s grants, fellowships etc).</p>
<p>Agree about science and going for the PhD. Search programs in math/science and you will find many, especially at the top schools, that only take students planning on getting the PhD. PhD candidates will “automatically” get the MS along the way to the PhD and those who quit before finishing will have that “booby prize” of the MS.</p>
<p>In the sciences the MS doesn’t give you the proven research ability the PhD does. Consider the fields where the MS is the typical endpoint- business, many health related careers, teaching… These are not typically research fields whereas the sciences are. And the humanities- seems to be more education for yourself than the job market.</p>
<p>You could argue that people in science field do get the MS, but consider the jobs they expect. Engineering and computer science come to mind- there is work for more than a BS level of expertise in those fields without needing to go for a PhD. Think of other more basic sciences- the BS degree person can do the grunt work in the lab, but where does the extra time spent getting only the MS get you? Not qualified to lead the research and doing work a person with a BS can be trained to do. Therefore logical to assume people who go beyond the BS would aim for a PhD in the sciences (unless they choose a profession such as medicine or dentistry et al).</p>
<p>I realize that I didn’t fully explain what I’m up to. I’m actually interested in going for the PhD and I know how worthless an MS alone is. I just thought that a Masters would be a good way to get my foot in the door and demonstrate that I’m able to do good work. My grades as an undergrad were good (3.68 GPA) but I withdrew from a number of classes due to some health problems. Also I have a previous academic record where I bounced around at different schools and wasn’t very focused on school. I’m really just trying to overcome these obstacles and just get into the program.</p>
<p>yeah masters is easier to get into…and you can apply for a masters and then go for a phd at a different school…</p>