Whether to go for a masters or straight into a phd program

Graduate School
1

Hello,
I am a graduate from the University of Rhode Island with a BS in Marine Biology. I have always planned on continuing my education into grad school, but never really thought about it as a matter to decide on. I had it in my head that I would go into a masters degree, work for a while, and then go on to get my phd. However, I have been doing research and have realized that there is a very good chance that I will have to pay for a masters program in full, and if not in full with much less support than I would likely receive for a phd position. Now I am wondering if it is worth the time and resources to take the extra step of earning the masters.

I have had a bit of trouble deciding on a specific topic of interest that I would like to delve into. I have experience as an undergraduate doing analytical research on shark diet quantification, classification, and ray classification and morphology. And I am currently working in a lab at Yale on zebrafish husbandry, as well as studying congenital scholiosis through molecular biology techniques. However, my area of interest for further in my career lies more in the direction of ecology, and more specifically coastal/estuarine ecology. My current research experience has not provided me with much insight into how working in an area like this might pan out. Additionally, I am wondering if this research experience would help me if I applied into a doctorate program to study ecology.

This has pushed me towards going for the masters, more accurately defining my target research area, and then working my way into a phd program from there. However, the potential for it to break the bank has made me consider applying directly into a doctorate program much more seriously.

I would also like to ask anyone who may have been how hard it was to get accepted. I finished undergrad with a 3.59, I have the two semesters of analytical research, and will have a year in the zebrafish lab under my belt by the time I would leave head to grad school, have a couple of graduate level courses I took in my field of interest, and have 3 people that can write me strong letters of recommendation. I still have to take the GREs, so I can not account for that variable yet. I wasn’t sure if that would be enough to go straight into a phd program, as I feel that I am lacking a bit on the research side of the spectrum. If anyone has been through a similar scenario or has any thoughts I would love to hear their opinion. Thank you!

2

Certainly the (starving) paid PhD route is preferred, if your Yale prof will recommend you. Why not try this route?

3

@FishFinder - Welcome to the Forum! Yes, you are correct that the financial support is greater for PhD students although it is possible that you can get support for a masters and this is particularly possible as universities where there is no Ph.D. program. One very important factor that you need to keep in mind is that you do not have to have a specific research project or detailed area in mind in order to get into a Ph.D. program. it is often the case that a new graduate student will do rotations into various groups to find a good fit and once you are in a research group your research will likely be defined by what your faculty advisor is funded to work on. If you have sufficient research experience as an undergraduate, you probably don’t need a Masters degree.

As to which programs you can get into, you need to identify those which match your general interest and then talk with your research advisors about them.