Which option do you think is better?

Graduate School
1

<p>Suppose funding isn't an issue (i.e. got a fellowship that will cover all tuition + a stipend)... Would you either:</p>

<p>Get a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Cornell
Or get an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford.</p>

<p>Stanford might be the better school, but an M.S. involves taking classes, and very little research experience. A PhD is obviously a lot harder to get.</p>

<p>I know a lot of this depends on your own personal preferences, so I guess what I am asking is... with your personal preference, what would you choose?</p>

2

<p>When I had to choose between master's degrees and a Ph.D program, I chose the Ph.D.</p>

<p>The Ph.D was my ultimate goal anyway, and it seemed silly to get a master's first when I had already gotten into a funded Ph.D program. The master's would've cost me money while the Ph.D was funded. Also, the Ph.D program was at a better school in my case.</p>

<p>In any event, I guess the choice depends on what you want to do. Do you really want the Ph.D or do you really need it in order to do what you want to do, or will an MS suffice? If you want to go into research obviously a Ph.D would be ideal, but if your future plans don't involve jobs that require or recommend Ph.Ds than the MS will be just fine.</p>

<p>Oh, and don't worry about the classes...a Ph.D isn't necessarily harder, it's just longer. And the first 2-3 years of a Ph.D program is structured much like a master's program anyway -- you take classes, you do some supervised research, and you write a master's paper/essay. It's only after that part is over that you start doing the more independent work.</p>

3

<p>Hmm, I guess the thing is I have funding for both the MS and PhD program. So funding really isn't an issue. I also figure, I might as well get the MS at Stanford first, and if I want a PhD I can reapply (with at least the same chance of getting into a good PhD program as I did this year)?</p>

4

<p>Stanford has a lot of prestige and a well-earned rep. Personally, I would take the masters with the intent of going for the PhD either at Stanford or somewhere else. On the bright side, most schools will accept that masters towards the PhD, something they will not always do if your masters is from an unknown.</p>

<p>It might take a year or two longer - the only downside - but I would think it well worth it.</p>