dftba_csphd

I'm on the look for one! That'd definitely be my best bet. Thanks for the input!

Howdy y'all! I applied to PhD programs for this coming year, and if I get into one I'll be going into it. However, my chances look slim, due to some extenuating circumstances. My letters of rec weren't terribly good, when applying I had no real idea of what to apply for, and I don't have any research experience in the field I am going into (note: I do have research experience in CS). I was wondering what you all thought would be the best thing to do if I didn't get in this year. My options: 1) Get the masters. Pros: - Stay in school, super in touch with faculty - Help show I am actually a good student - undegrad GPA ~3.5 Cons - Money will be a big thing. - Might take 2 years. - Will eat up a lot of my time - won't leave me much time to work on research. 2) Don't get the masters (do postbac research, sit in on classes) Pros - Lets me work on what I want to work on - Very self motivated, so I can actually do a lot of research - Will hopefully give me more 1 on 1 with professors I work with Cons - If I'm out of school, I might not be as important to the professors as their actual students - I can't take classes for credit, obvi. - Without publications, it may not seem like I'm accomplishing much (may seem like I just took a year off) - Costs less than masters obviously, but not making any money 3) Try to get a teaching job either as a TA or at a local high school Pros - Teaching experience - Actually getting money Cons - reduces time to do independent research 4) Try to get a job Pros - Actually getting money - Work experience - I was actually doing things Cons - I doubt I'll get a job that lends to doing research or proving my potential in the field I'm going into At the moment I'm leaning towards 2. I feel like given the opportunity independent of the masters I can get some good research done and prove my worth to some professors, thus giving me credentials and good letters of rec (my two biggest problems). If I do #1, I will want to finish in a year which will give me little time to do research independent of my coursework. That being said, I fear an admissions committee might frown upon taking a year off. Let me know your thoughts!