<p>I will be majoring in computer science in college. I plan to pursue graduate school immediately thereafter. Should I go straight through to my doctorate, stop at masters and get the doctorate later, or wait and get both degrees later? Please also provide an explanation as to why. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Go straight through is my opinion. I know this is different, but in my line of work - healthcare, I see so many nurses who say “I got into nursing so I could become a practitioner.” But, then after they get their bachelors and get a job they start to like the money, acquire new debt, have less time etc… and before you know it they are 30 or 40 and have never achieved what they originally set out to do. And yes, I am one of those nurses who kept saying, “next year I will start.” I am 36 and haven’t started…</p>
<p>You may find dissenting opinions especially the need to even get a Doctorate - BUT, if that is what you want and your finances allow it, then do it straight through.</p>
<p>I do know someone who went to work after a bachelor’s degree in CS and then went to a PhD program a few years later. This may be a good option if you have student loans to pay off.</p>
<p>PhD studies in CS are usually funded (fellowships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships). So you should not have to take out additional student loans for such study.</p>
<p>Go straight to it. I waited, worked, then got married, then had two babies, then…finally at age 30 I headed back to grad school. I finished my MS in 2.5 yrs. while working, and raising young children. It took my sister 11 years to finish her PhD with two kids and working. I tell everyone that is even thinking about grad school to just keep going! I know every situation is different, but in this economy, why not just stay in school and “ride it out”? Only if you are already up to your eyeballs in loans would I suggest waiting and working for a while. I will say, it’s also possible to do both (I never slept, but it’s possible).</p>
<p>The answer will partly depend on your thoughts at the end of your junior year about working world versus grad school. Some people are really tired of being in school at that point, and need a break. Others are enthused about immediately starting the next stage of their education. If the economy is still sluggish when you finish college, continuing straight on makes economic sense. You can prepare for all options by getting your GREs and any other testing out of the way, and lining up LORs from your professors.</p>
<p>You should really think about why you want to get a PhD in the first place. if it is to work in industry you really don’t make more money with a PhD in CS as opposed to a Masters. A PhD is also a big commitment. Once you start working and making a good salary, you probably won’t want to give the lifestyle and go back to the life of a PhD student. </p>
<p>A number of top institutions like MIT also have different tracks for PhD students versus Masters degree students. PhD students are fully funded and are expected to stay for the full 5-6 years. Those going for a terminal Masters degree enter an entirely different program, typically not fully funded. There is sometimes not even an intermediate Masters degree for PhD candidates where you can hop off and try to re-board later. You may have start all over again later. Having dropped out once, you may have a tough time finding an institution that will give you a funded position the second time around. Once people drop out of PhD programs they very rarely come back.</p>
<p>Decide what you want to do first and then go for it. If you are not sure about the PhD track don’t go there.</p>
<p>It’s good to work for a year or two after college and then go into a full-time Ph.D. program. Your references and knowledge will still be fresh, and you will know that you are truly committed rather than simply continuing in the school rut because that’s where you’ve been. I think a brief break between undergraduate and graduate school can make for a more focused, mature, motivated Ph.D. candidate.</p>