PhD rejection = get another master's?

[Golden Monkey]

Wondering if anyone has taken their PhD rejections as an opportunity to get another master's? I have no idea how the finances work out on this, as I know funding for master's degrees is really rare, but I lucked out with my master's by getting a job with the university, which resulted in discounted tuition. There are very, very few PhD programs in my discipline, but I have other interests that intersect very closely with it, so if the financial end worked out (ha ha,) I could see trying to get another master's instead.

As one who delayed his master's degree for 15 years and was mired in the deepest recesses of industry work for that entire time, I'm now finding that I really, really enjoy school, academic environments, and working towards a final goal, such as a degree. I even kind of like being the oldest one in the classroom.

[The Dudester]

I think if you enjoy it and you aren't completely destitute (just Grad student destitute) then you might as well. And more qualifications can only make you a better applicant, especially if you publish during the second Masters.

[SimilarlyDifferent]

I've thought about this and I will probably do it. If I don't get into PhD this round I'll get a masters in Library Science and a masters in History. After all of that, I might consider applying to a different PhD program or two if I still have the desire.

[Golden Monkey]

I googled this, and of all places, found a good discussion on macrumors:

http://forums.macrumors.com/archive/index.php/t-1045767.html

Unlikely place, but people were making some good points.

[DrPepper-olic]

Yay! I feel like we're kindred spirits. I work for a university now, and one of the perks is that two classes are paid for each semester. Since I've gotten 2 rejections, a wait list, and no word from several other programs that have notified acceptees with funding already, my mind instantly starting thinking of a plan b that would make the most of my job. (I mean, I got a job right after I finished my masters. I should be stoked.)

Most people ask the question, "Why don't you get a PhD where you work?" Although they have the broad field of my studies here, there are only a few programs in the country that specialize in what I have spent the last 8 years of my life writing about. So last Friday I had this same epiphany. I am considering getting a masters in a related field (math) that would help me with my research in the future. I would have nothing to lose, and, with summer school, I could possibly finish it next summer.

I know that I kind of lucked out in the paying for a second masters. I will say this, though. My first masters came from a state school, which waived most of my tuition in exchange for part-time labor. Even if the department you're applying to doesn't have funds for an assistantship, there may be another place on campus willing to call you a research assistant (even in an "unrelated" field) so that you can get your tuition waived. It worth the effort of calling around. In the end, grad students are always cheaper than hiring salaried employees because grad students don't get benefits.

To echo your sentiments: Yay academia!

[Zouzax]

I'm doing exactly this. Although its still early, it seems like I struck out this year in terms of Ph.d apps. I have a Master's in another, related field but I think I will pursue a Master's in Linguistics. I talked to a few knowledgeable people about this and they all think getting the additional experience will be worth it. I also think it will make me more competitive when I apply for Ph.d programs again. As you said, we're working towards a "final goal" -- so why rush it? I'm in academia for the long haul.

So as long as the finances work out, that's what Ill be doing!

[Golden Monkey]

Well, good to hear that others are doing this or are thinking about it. This idea didn't occur to me earlier. I guess if it had, I would have tried to apply to a couple of master's programs too, but oh well, one thing at a time.

I think I'm addicted to pursuing goals or something. I had the same reaction after finishing my bachelor's. "Woohoo! I'm finished... oh... wait a minute..." I've had phases in my professional life where I've just been going to work every day, going home, trying not to get laid off, do it again the next day. Repeat for 15 years. I'm not sure I can go back to that.

[tydil]

The last year of my undergrad I was in no way ready to apply for a PhD at another uni and I would be applying so late and without the math subject gre, so I took up a master's in my second major (econ). I'll graduate at the end of summer and move on to a PhD in math.

Getting a master's is a way to show your PhD schools that you can handle the course load. Many of my professor tell me that they've all seen students get rejected to decent schools, then earn their math masters, and then get into great schools to get a math PhD. I'm assuming this is true for other fields as well. You should definitely go for it. I think of my time earning a master's as time well spent so I can prepare adequately for PhD applications.

[Golden Monkey]

Oh, btw, one thing that's a bit different in my situation than most is that I was out of school for 18 years, mired in the sisyphean cycle of workmyassoff - avoidlayoffs - getlaidoffanyway - scrambleforworkagain - repeat. So by the time I started my master's I was 40 and finished it a few days before turning 43. So if I were to start another master's, it probably would not be in hopes of making myself a better PhD candidate. I have already decided that if this PhD application doesn't work out, that's the end of it, so in truth, the second master's would be a consolation prize of sorts, I guess. The second master's degree, would, I'm hoping, increase my marketability in academia, or failing that, increase my potential pay scale in industry. Though I guess it could also just make me really overqualified instead.

One thing about getting to this age is that there's a Plan A, but there's also a Plan B through... Plan G in place...