Georgetown Biotechnology Masters

[kvotheslute]

Hey guys,

How many of you have heard of the Georgetown biotechnology masters program? If you have heard of it, what do you think? I would eventually like to get a PhD in a field in the biological sciences and am thinking about this attending this program to help boost my GPA before applying to PhD programs again (I've applied once before). Do you think completing this program will increase my chances of getting into PhD programs?

[ilovelab]

Hey guys,

How many of you have heard of the Georgetown biotechnology masters program? If you have heard of it, what do you think? I would eventually like to get a PhD in a field in the biological sciences and am thinking about this attending this program to help boost my GPA before applying to PhD programs again (I've applied once before). Do you think completing this program will increase my chances of getting into PhD programs?

Honestly, a research tech postilion would be better for your chacnes. Since that doesn't seem like an option it seems like a decent program. There are not a lot of biology heavy courses though. There is no thesis component to the masters either. You should speak to the admissions department or someone in the program about how many students go on to phd programs. Most of these masters are designed for people already in industry. How much debt will you be in after this?

[kvotheslute]

I have three options currently; to attend Georgetown's MS biotech program, to attend a small unknown school's MS program (thesis and research based), or to take a professional research assistant job in the field I want to go into. Any opinions or suggestions as to which I should go with? I'm pretty much torn between GT and the job, and im not sure which would make me look better in the long run when applying for my PhD. Ideas? One thing that is attractive about the GT program is that it is one year which would allow me to apply again this year. But with the job I have the opportunity to publish and work with an established PI, though it would require 2+ years.

[ballwera]

Is the MS funded? If not, take a tech job. 

[eeee1923]

Agreed about the MS being funded, unless you happen to have the necessary funds yourself. Also if you do choose the MS, try to publish something. 

[ilovelab]

I have three options currently; to attend Georgetown's MS biotech program, to attend a small unknown school's MS program (thesis and research based), or to take a professional research assistant job in the field I want to go into. Any opinions or suggestions as to which I should go with? I'm pretty much torn between GT and the job, and im not sure which would make me look better in the long run when applying for my PhD. Ideas? One thing that is attractive about the GT program is that it is one year which would allow me to apply again this year. But with the job I have the opportunity to publish and work with an established PI, though it would require 2+

One thing you have to remember is that you will not even be able to send in our grades from the first semester of your masters program if you apply this fall. You might be able to send them to schools with a later deadline but most are dec 1st. IF ends up being the case how valuable is the masters program. And adcom will see you are in the program but without grades they have no idea how you are doing. That being said you wouldn't be a different candidate than last year. I personally would choose the research job. Yes, it will take 2-3 years but you shouldn't be in a hurry to go to grad school. Being a lab tech and publishing will help your chances more than a  1 year masters ever will. Is the masters funded? If not you're risking 60k+ in debt with no guarantee that you will get into grad school this cycle.

[ballwera]

If not you're risking 60k+ in debt with no guarantee that you will get into grad school this cycle.

 

Also would be spending that on a non-terminal degree which is equally as foolish.

 

@kvotheslute: I can give any solid advice without some additional info. You say you want to "boost" your gpa, what is it? What are your GRE scores? What experience do you have? Domestic or International?