<p>The PhD schools will be more impressed if you have something that proves you can handle a research project. That is, after all, the point of a PhD program, and those programs like to see some sort of indicator that you can handle it. If your job provides that indicator, then good. If your undergrad research does, good. Most people get that from their MS-thesis experience, which is still the best indicator. For that MS thesis, you have to run a small-scale research project on your own, which is something that most people don’t get to do during undergrad or at work, which is why it is still the best indicator (and why it is still more common to find people going MS>PhD as opposed to BS>PhD).</p>
<p>PhD schools will like the fact that you have your ducks in a row when it comes to classes, but what really impresses them is proof that you are a competent researcher. After all, they pay you to research and in the long run make their money off of you via research.</p>
<p>How are you supposed to impress PhD schools with your MS thesis?
The thesis would probably be written at the end of your two year masters degree. By the time you apply to phd schools in fall of year #2, you probably would have not even STARTED the thesis yet.</p>
It’s not like they were going to read it anyway! They evaluate based on the LOR from your thesis advisor, who by that point should have had plenty of time to generate an opinion of your work and your potential.</p>
Not my experience at all! First of all, those classes may or may not be counted towards your PhD requirements. Second of all, the ability to handle graduate-level coursework is a minor consideration compared to the question of your ability as a researcher.</p>
<p>Both of my last two managers at work were PhD’s, one of whom had come to the company from a tenured professorship at a top-25 university (including a spot on the admissions committee). I had a lot of discussions with him before I applied to PhD programs, and had commented on what a pity it was that I was not able to get into a research masters program.</p>