earlyonetoo

If my interests are in research, but I'm applying to a Masters program because I'm not sure that I want to put in the 4 extra years for a PhD, what should I say in my statement of purpose? Would it help/hurt/do nothing if I say that I'm undecided about whether to go for a PhD? My goal is to ultimately work in industry R&D, but probably not in departments which emphasize publishing. What if I apply to a non-research oriented professional Masters? What should the SOP focus on in that case? Thanks for any advice.

Can anyone give me a general idea of what the general practices and requirements are for switching to / leaving with a Masters after being accepted into a computer science PhD program? I'm currently applying to computer science programs. I'm asking this question because I might want to go after a PhD, but I'm nowhere near sure at the moment - probably less than 50% sure. I know that I want to do research, but I'm not sure that I want to put in the extra 4 years in a PhD to do it. Are requests to switch to Masters always guaranteed to be granted? I.E. would any university force you to either choose between going for a PhD or leaving with nothing? Can I make the request a just year into the program? Two years? What about being offered acceptance to a PhD program, but deciding that I want to enter with the goal of a terminal Masters? I was thinking of applying for a research oriented Masters (not PhD) and then deciding during the Masters whether I want to apply for PhD. From my research though, it seems like very few students are accepted in this way. Universities either want PhD students or non-research oriented professional Masters students. Does anyone have suggestions on what I should do? I want to mention that funding is not a big concern for me - getting money would of course be nice, but I'm more concerned with what kind of programs I can get accepted into. Edit: One more question. If I'm willing to pay my way through a masters program, should I say that somehow on my application? Will that increase my chances of getting into a better program? Thanks.