Applying for the Master's instead of the Ph.D. degree

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gradQ
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:25 am

Applying for the Master's instead of the Ph.D. degree

Post by gradQ » Thu Jun 19, 2008 5:39 pm

Hello,

I heard that it is easier to get into schools if you apply for the Master's degree, instead of the Ph.D. degree (probably because you are not financially supported). I was wondering if this is true. Also, since you would have done some research with a professor during this time, wouldn't it be quite easy to pursue Ph.D. in the same place after finishing the Master's degree? Thanks.

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will
Posts: 399
Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2007 3:26 pm

Re: Applying for the Master's instead of the Ph.D. degree

Post by will » Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:28 pm

That's not true at all, from what I've heard. Many schools don't even have a formal Masters program, and of those that do, I still think they prefer Ph.D. students.

gradQ
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:25 am

Re: Applying for the Master's instead of the Ph.D. degree

Post by gradQ » Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:22 pm

Hello will,

Really? I see that many schools do not let students apply for Masters only. But, I disagree with you that schools prefer Ph.D. students to Masters students, because schools do not financially support masters students. Right? hmm...

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will
Posts: 399
Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2007 3:26 pm

Re: Applying for the Master's instead of the Ph.D. degree

Post by will » Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:41 pm

Tuition doesn't bring nearly as much money to the university as grants. Teaching a student for two years, only too have them leave your department with a head full of publishable ideas also doesn't do much for other metrics of your department's success. Ph.D. students publish, they speak at conferences, they help bring in research money, and they do this over the course of several years, all while earning a pittance that was already budgeted for them anyway. Terminal masters students can do this, but for the most part they take classes and write a thesis and scram.



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