MS. vs Phd

[glycine76]

I have a really hard choice to make. Now I have a admission from Ohio State University (MS in EE, no financial aid), admission from University of Clemson( PhD in EE, RA) and admissions from University of Kentucky(PhD, waiting for financial aid). I found myself in a dilemma. Ohio State is a very top university and I am so excited it admit me, but it only offered me a master program without funding. My ultimate goal is to earn a phd degree. If I choose ohio state, I will not only have to undergo a two-year self-supported graduate studies, which means a lot of money, but applying PhD again in two years later. Since it's a really decent school, it will be a pity not to go there. On the other hand, Clemson is, well, perhaps not as good as Ohio State, but I can directly pursue my phd degree with benefit. I hope I can get some advice from others, from a new perspective maybe.

[Veta]

I think you should take the funded PhD offer (because paying for grad school sucks) and if you, for some reason, don't end up liking the university, you could always transfer next year (for most programs...I'm sorry I don't know if your program works the same way). It doesn't hurt to put in a new application next year even if you're not sure you'd want to transfer...

[glycine76]

I think you should take the funded PhD offer (because paying for grad school sucks) and if you, for some reason, don't end up liking the university, you could always transfer next year (for most programs...I'm sorry I don't know if your program works the same way). It doesn't hurt to put in a new application next year even if you're not sure you'd want to transfer...

Transfer? I think i will be more inclined to stay in the same place to complete what I am doing there.

[latte thunder]

I had a similar situation. Master from OSU (unfunded) versus Masters from Clemson (Funded). I chose Clemson and I'll tell you why.

Even though OSU is the supposedly the better school in my field, and I'm from Columbus so I didn't really have to worry about living expenses, paying back student loans sucks. Really, truly, sucks. I'm not sure if you're going straight from undergrad and have not had to experience this yet, but I pay more on student loans a month then I pay for rent or even my car payment. I didn't even borrow that much, it was originally about 23 thousand (unsubsidized). Even in State, you'd need to borrow more than that for two years at OSU. It's not worth it! Plus, you can't be certain you'd be able to get a Phd offer with funding two years from now.

Unless you've inherited money (or can guarantee you'll make plenty of money), when you graduate from school you'll have NO savings and will need to find a way to pay rent, get a car, feed yourself, start planning for retirement, and maybe even have a little fun. This is all harder to do when you have a hundreds of dollars payment due every month for the next 10 to 25 years.

Edited April 7, 2011 by latte thunder

[queller]

There is also the consideration of would you be able to get the research experience in Ohio's EE department as a masters student that would improve your grad app. As one of the most important things based on my personal impressions and reading this board is research experience. So if you consider Ohio look into how many masters students they have, and if they have the opportunities to do research that leads to publication.

The funded offer is not only funded, but you know you will have the opportunity to do the research you are interested in.

[lit864]

I had a similar situation. Master from OSU (unfunded) versus Masters from Clemson (Funded). I chose Clemson and I'll tell you why.

Even though OSU is the supposedly the better school in my field, and I'm from Columbus so I didn't really have to worry about living expenses, paying back student loans sucks. Really, truly, sucks. I'm not sure if you're going straight from undergrad and have not had to experience this yet, but I pay more on student loans a month then I pay for rent or even my car payment. I didn't even borrow that much, it was originally about 23 thousand (unsubsidized). Even in State, you'd need to borrow more than that for two years at OSU. It's not worth it! Plus, you can't be certain you'd be able to get a Phd offer with funding two years from now.

Unless you've inherited money (or can guarantee you'll make plenty of money), when you graduate from school you'll have NO savings and will need to find a way to pay rent, get a car, feed yourself, start planning for retirement, and maybe even have a little fun. This is all harder to do when you have a hundreds of dollars payment due every month for the next 10 to 25 years.

I'm struggling with the same problem in a different field and recommend that you ask your professors. My professors gave me the exact opposite advice of what people were telling me in the forum, and it really helped me to think long-term about my career. I finally decided that while student loans aren't fun, the potential investment could really pay off. Of course your situation is different, but maybe speaking to some unbiased professors could help you get a different perspective.