Gap Year or 1 Year Master's?

Graduate School
1

<p>I did not decide I wanted to do a PhD in engineering right away from undergrad. I had originally planned on getting a job first, and then get a PhD down the road. I changed my mind, but the due dates to PhD programs had already passed. Although, I did apply to get a Master's at my undergrad school as a back up.</p>

<p>So my question is, what would look better - a gap year where I do volunteer research or doing a Master's for year while researching? The main drawback about a Master's is that I do not have funding. Also, I feel I might have to retake a lot of the classes anyway if I go to a different PhD program.</p>

<p>I was also wondering if a gap year looked bad at all if the time was spent doing research or other academic pursuits.</p>

<p>Thanks for the help!</p>

2

<p>I don’t know how similar engineering is to biomedical science in this regard, but taking a couple of years between undergrad and grad school is an excellent thing. It makes you far more competitive for Phd admissions and provides you with the maturity and financial backing that living as an adult for a couple of years can provide. One point I would like to make is- don’t work as a volunteer. Get an actual job in a lab and get paid. Nobody will take you seriously if you are a “volunteer”.</p>

3

<p>A) looks like someone is a member of both this site AND thegradcafe.com, hehe</p>

<p>B) I don’t think it would look good or bad in either case.</p>