<p>I am curently a junior and will apply for Grad school at the end of this year. I am wondering whether to apply for the MS or PHD Program.</p>
<p>First of all I am interested in doing PHD, but I heard PHD is harder to get in than MS program. What I wonder is that if I don`t get into the PHD program, do universities usually offer a place in the MS program instead (In the case that my score satisfy the MS admission requirement) or will I get rejected straight out? The thing is that I don't want to get rejected by PHD program and not get into the university I want to get into, while I feel that I have a good chance at the MS Program, and apply for the PHD program later on after completing the MS program.</p>
<p>PHD is definitely harder to get into than MS.
I am not sure if schools would offer a place in MS after rejecting the PHD option... I guess it would depend on the school and the department. However, if you feel strongly about doing PHD, I would assume that you should apply for the PHD program.</p>
<p>Another option is to apply for MS and write in your statement that you intend to pursue a PhD after your MS. I did this and got accepted as a PhD precandidate.</p>
<p>If you want an M.S. in engineering you may want to go into industry - many/most of the larger companies will pay for your M.S. while you work, though almost none will pay for the Ph.D.</p>
<p>In general, if you are not sure about wanting the Ph.D. do not go for it - the free education is not worth the workload.</p>