MS/PhD in EECS at MIT

Graduate School
1

<p>I have a question on the MS/PhD program in EECS offered at MIT. It seems that MIT doesn't offer an MS-only program, and you instead apply for the PhD and obtain you Masters along the way.</p>

<p>My problem is as follows: since I am still relatively unsure of whether or not I'd like to pursue a PhD, I've mainly been looking at MS/MEng programs. (This is despite having very "good stats" as my adviser tells me, while he bugs me over how its "such a waste" that I'm not applying to PhD programs. :( ) </p>

<p>Because of my unwillingness to make such a long term commitment, if I do end up applying for any PhD programs, I would like to be sure that if I end up strongly disliking it, I'll be able to back out. </p>

<p>I know that some schools will allow you to take the MS if you decide to leave halfway through. Is this the case for the EECS program at MIT as well? There doesn't seem to be any information on this, since the website seems to lump the MS together with the PhD. </p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

2

<p>I’m not entirely sure since I have never attended MIT, but since you earn an MS along the way I would assume that that is the case. For obvious reasons, schools don’t really advertise the possibility of starting a fully-funded Ph.D program, taking the courses, and then dropping out before you contribute a ton of research, but I think at most schools you can do that. My undergraduate institution didn’t even mention that they awarded MS degrees (this is in bioengineering, but still), but I know that you could get one if you finished the coursework portion of the Ph.D program and dropped out. The best thing to do would be to speak with someone at MIT</p>