Drop out for current MS degree for graduate school in USA

[Standon]

Hello everyone,

 

 

I am actually at a complicated situation at the moment, and hope any of you may give some advice on further graduate schools application. 

 

I got an offer from a very good reputable University in Asia (Top #20 in University World Rank ) for a MS degree and am thinking if I may use this reference to apply those top graduate schools in USA. I plan to drop out from the Asian University in Spring 2014 once the schools in USA give me admission offer for 2014 Fall. However, I'm not sure if the US admission office may think that I am inconsistent for my academic goals and may ask why I do not take up the degree. 

 

My Brief background: 

Graduated from a state University in USA with GPA 3.X

Research exp with professor and presented in national research conference

working at Big 4 firm for 1 year and previously had about 10 months working at Fortune # 500 company

 

My questions are:

1. Will this reference benefit or jeopardize my application?

2. How do I explain to the admission offices in US Grad schools?

3. What will be a good reason to drop out rather saying "I want to go to USA, so I drop out. 

4. Do you think I should list Master Degree as "In Progress" on my resume for application? I'm worried it may confuses the US, and they may ask for the diploma and transcripts. 

5. Any other advice? Please comment.

 

Thanks a lot !!!

 

[Balatro]

I assume you're an international applicant given your post, correct me if I'm wrong.

 

There's a big difference between 3.0 and 3.9 so this doesn't help us any. Since you're referencing 'Big 4' I'll also presume your UG was accounting related. How's your GRE/GMAT? If you are in fact looking into accounting, they'll want one or the other when you apply.

 

As far as your actual questions:

 

#1: It'll hurt your application, probably. They're going to ask why you're applying for a degree that you're already working on in Asia and saying "I want to go to USA," I imagine and I could be wrong, will result in them saying no thank you.

#2: Without lying, I'm not sure you can. I'm assuming that you applied for MS programs in the US after you graduated and weren't accepted. Would this be true?

#3: Only you know why you're dropping out, we can't and won't help you craft a believable story.

#4: They will ask for transcripts, don't worry about that. Most of your schools use a clearinghouse to verify everywhere you went to school. Several years ago I was applying for graduate school and naturally they wanted transcripts of every college course (UG and G) I had ever taken. Surprise surprise, I forgot to include on my application (and by extension transcripts) college courses I took back in high school - nearly 15 years ago. Fortunately the Admissions called me up and asked if I had ever attended X-University during X-years, to which I said I did, back in high school. She told me that they run apps through a clearinghouse to verify school attendance and needed a transcript from that school before the Adcom could make a decision.

#5: Why not spend a year strengthening your application for US schools instead of attending a Masters in Asia that you want to drop out of before even arriving?

[Quantum Buckyball]

One of the PhD schools I got accepted to offer me a conditional acceptance letter. They wanted me to send them a copy of my Masters' transcript, a pdf copy of my thesis and other materials from the register's office to prove that I have completed my Masters successfully prior to start my doctoral program. One of my colleagues from my cohort class got accepted because she had a Masters degree as well but she never finished it. It made her look real bad when she tried to apply to join a research group.

Edited June 10, 2013 by Quantum Buckyball

[biotechie]

I definitely would not do that. In my opinion, that is extremely disrespectful and dishonest, and I'm sure many share that sentiment. As an incoming student, I don't think I would be as accepting of a student from another school that had done what you propose to do, so you may find the work environment uncomfortable if you do end up doing as you propose. Schools want students who are hard working, honest, and will stay in for the degree that they're funded to pursue. Not only will it hinder your chances as the others have mentioned, but you're also taking a master's studies spot away from a student who could really want it and need it to be successful, and you're running the risk of really hurting a professor's research projects by leaving things unfinished (we all know that when someone tries to pick up someone else's project, it does NOT go well). If I were you, I would do one of two things:

 

1. Choose not to even start the masters program. Take some time to do some research work to strengthen your application. Perhaps take a couple of postbacc classes to raise your GPA. Make sure that you actually know what you want to do, and can approach your applications in an honest manner that will show them that not only do you know what you want to do, but you've taken the time to be sure of it, participating in X activities in your time away from school.

 

2. Do the masters program through to completion. Thesis, defense, publication, the whole shebang for whatever the requirements are for your field. That'll look great on your resume, to be honest. I'm defending my masters next week, and the experience I gained from these studies (namely the research experience) is probably what got me into my PhD program. This also demonstrates that you're serious about your studies. You survived a masters, and you're still coming back for more!