/sci/ - Science & Math

you enter a master, then you can fasttrack to a phd directly after one year or get your master + phd

>>2574826

...

>>2574819

OP, you can choose to acquire your Masters or PhD. Some people go straight for the PhD and skip the Masters. The Masters is a separate degree in itself, and doesn't necessarily have to be associated with what you study for your PhD, although some people opt to stay within the same line of study.

Theoretically, I could acquire a Masters in Mathematics with my concentration in PDE(partial differential equations) and then obtain a PhD in Mathematics with a concentration in Number Theory. As I stated earlier, you don't need a masters to obtain the PhD.

>>2574835

How competitive is the admission process for PhD programs? Is it similar to med school?

Go for a Doctorate

>>2574842

Depends on the University and what you want to study/concentration. It also depends on your research experience, recommendations, GPA, etc. Concentration is extremely important, though.

Let's say I'm interested in Geometry(which I am, btw). Let's also say I've been accepted to both Princeton and UCLA. Everyone will automatically say, 'CHOOSE PRINCETON,' but the smarter choice is UCLA. Do you know why?

Princeton is filled to the brim with number theorists, but no Geometry professors. UCLA has a few prized Geometry researchers and I would acquire the best education there.

>>2574842

By the way, Med School is tougher to get into more times than not. However, getting into a RESPECTABLE PhD program can be extremely difficult and is, quite possibly, the second hardest thing you could do. Again, it also depends on the school/concentration. There's also the question of funding.

NYU has an amazing Grad program, but they bullshit a voluminous amount of people each year. If they don't want you, they'll accept you but state that they're not funding your study. This is nonsensical because each semester is 30k, and that would force you to pay out of your pocket. Some universities do this to soften the blow of 'rejection' or when they just want to bleed people dry. PhD/Masters programs can accept you, but not fund you. This is, in essence, a softened form of rejection. If you're accepted into a program, get funded. Those programs are expensive.

OP: If you ask this kind of question, it helps if you mention where you live, because these things differ a large amount between different countries.

Usually, one chooses the school first. Then it's best to apply for the highest post-grad degree they offer in the field.

If they have a PhD program, but you only apply for a Masters, then they'll likely pass you over for someone with higher aspirations.

There are exceptions, such as if you already work in an industry, and your employer wants you to get a Masters. Then, since a financially stable entity is footing the bill, they'll be happy with that. But if you're going in blind, so to speak, you should apply for the highest degree they offer.

If you only want a Masters, and get accepted to a PhD program, you can stop after a couple years and they'll hand you a Masters. The modern university system is a for-profit industry, after all.

>>2574868

The states.

My aspirations are a PhD. I'd be disappointed if I set myself up to end with just a Master's.

>>2574912

Then you are just a prestige whore.

The degree doesn't matter if you are actually interested in what you are studying.

You just want to be able to say "I have a doctorate", obviously the academic side means nothing to you.

>>2574924

OoOoOoOoOoOooh.

dat nigga just went H.A.M.

>>2574884
What if your goal is to get a MS then complete a PhD at a better school? Say you could get into a good for a MS program (that has a PhD degree), then go to another (better) school for a PhD after your MS. How smart is that? Because I dont think I could get into the top PhD programs I want for my field of study right away, but I think I'd have a better shot after a MS someplace else.

>>2575180

Bumping good question.

>>2575180
bump for this question too

bumping

bump

>>2575180
this is easy, just requires good grades and lots of applications. Older brother got his masters in history at some fucking school, cant remember. then went on to become a dentist at UPenn

>>2576058

Your brother is an asshole.