<p>I have heard that top engineering grad programs like MIT typically accept more students into PhD programs over masters programs. In fact, my research advisor has told me that applying to MIT for a masters program is pretty much a waste of time and money. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any more information on this, or no of anyone who has been accepted to a top engineering masters program like this (who did not get their bachelors degree at the same university)?</p>
<p>Many programs either do not admit masters-only students, or else limit admissions to their masters program to current undergraduate students at their schools. MIT EECS is like this - the only ways to get a masters in EECS are to do combined SB-SM or to drop out of the PhD program far enough in that they will award the SM as a consolation prize. If, as a non-MIT undergrad, you apply for admissions as a masters candidate they will automatically reject you.</p>
<p>Please note that this varies from school to school - Stanford EE (a top top top level program) is more than happy to take masters students.</p>
<p>would it make much difference if you were to be accepted by a NSF of DoD fellowship? From what i have seen, grad school applications are due around Decemeber/January, and these fellowships do not announce results until April/March</p>
<p>It won’t make any difference with those schools that categorically do not admit masters students. With schools where you actually have a chance it might make a big difference. External funding will not generally change the standards that the school sets for their admits, but it does mean that you don’t need to directly compete against other students for funding, and that an external party has given you a vote of confidence. Getting approved for external funding is one of the only acceptable reasons to contact a program between application and notice of admission/rejection, and while it will not pull you out of the auto-reject list it can move you from wait list or “good but not competitive” to accepted.</p>
<p>That having been said, I think a lot of those fellowships are also restricted or at least biased towards doctoral candidates - make sure before applying that they will give money to masters candidates.</p>
<p>I thought most schools offer a separate/terminal MS degree? Which other top programs only take Phds?</p>