Help me decide

Graduate School
1

<p>I don't have to make a decision now, but I'd like to get some input before I enter the program. I will be attending UPenn for my master's in bioengineering this fall and I'm trying to determine whether or not I should get a thesis, or how beneficial a master's thesis is. </p>

<p>Here's a little more about my situation. I won't be receiving any funding, but I will be TAing a class for an hourly wage. I've never TAd before, and I'm teaching a fairly easy course (engineering ethics class. I will be teaching 1 recitation per week, as well as any other duties that comes with being a TA). I will be paid for 15 hours per week, but how much time should I really anticipate on spending for that class? (I've heard it's not as much as the 15 hours that I will be paid for). I guess I'm just wondering how difficult it would be to take full course load, as well as teach, and do research and work on my thesis during the 2nd year. I know a master's thesis won't be nearly as intense as a PhD thesis, but will this be difficult to pull off if I try to graduate 2 years with a thesis? </p>

<p>Also, in terms of what I'd like to do in the future, I'd like to work in industry, preferably for a biotech company as a research scientist. I'm not sure how much a thesis will help me any more than having a non-thesis masters, so any input on this would be appreciated as well. </p>

<p>Finally, after working for a few years, I'd like to get an MBA at a top business school. I'm wondering if a thesis will affect my chances of getting into a top MBA program. I'm guessing it really won't weigh too heavily on an MBA adcom, but I'm not certain. I'd also like to audit some classes at Wharton while I work on my master's, and was wondering if anyone knew if doing this is beneficial for my application when I apply to an MBA program. </p>

<p>So is it worth the extra effort to get a thesis given my circumstance? Or am I biting off too much by trying to TA, audit some business classes at Wharton, and complete a master's with a thesis within 2 years?</p>

<p>Any help would be greatly appreciated, and I thank you for your patience in reading my lengthy post! I'll be back on Sunday to read the replies. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I say thesis, hands down, but maybe it is different for eng.</p>

<p>In my understanding, at least in biology, a thesis seeking student is not expected to take as many courses as a non-thesis. Basically you fill out what you lack in a thesis with extra course work. So you should not get overwhelmed by doing research and taking classes. If you want to go into research, doing research is the best experience, obviously. </p>

<p>I know plenty of bio master's students who did a thesis program in two years and TA'd the whole way through. I would think you could be ok.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the input New_User. Anyone else?</p>

4

<p>Somewhat OT but I will also be attending UPenn in the fall in the Masters in Robotics program. Maybe I will see you around!</p>