Master's degree an advantage or a disadvantage

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Yourself
Posts: 14
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2014 6:22 pm

Master's degree an advantage or a disadvantage

Post by Yourself » Sun Sep 07, 2014 10:28 am

If your country has only 3-year bachelor's degrees, is having a Master's degree with a research component an advantage or a disadvantage?
I heard that some departments do not want to accept 3-year bachelor's degrees unless the applicant is outstanding. Of course having one less year to gain research experience is a disadvantage.
On the other hand, I also heard that admissions committees may have much higher standards for applicants with a Master's degree.
Which effect is the most important?

TakeruK
Posts: 941
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2012 3:05 pm

Re: Master's degree an advantage or a disadvantage

Post by TakeruK » Sun Sep 07, 2014 5:51 pm

I definitely think that having a Masters degree if you have a 3 year Bachelor's degree is a good idea. As you said, a student in a 3 year program has a lot fewer chances to gain research experience, take courses, and make strong connections with professors.

Having a Masters degree might subject you to "higher standards" only in the sense that if you perform poorly in the Masters program, then it is a sign that you might not be able to make it in a PhD program. But, if you do well in the Masters program, then it will definitely help you overall.



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