1 PhD program vs. 3 Master's Programs

[ZuzuRU]

Hello all! This is my first post on the Grad Cafe  I'm here because making this grad school decision seems to be the toughest decision of my life thus far.

The biggest wrench in my situation (but by no means bad) is that I was accepted to the PhD Geology program at UC Davis, which I did not think I would AT ALL. I thought I'd be weighing master's versus master's programs at UIUC, VTech, and Indiana. 

This whole time I was gearing up to go to into an M.S. program and use that as a spring board to get to a top PhD program in 2 years... However, now I am presented with the opportunity to go right into a PhD program. This may seem like a clear-cut, easy decision and everyone has been, "DUH! GO TO CALIFORNIA FOR YOUR PHD," but I truly love the people and departments at Illinois, Indiana, and VTech. I have not visited UC Davis yet (I am very soon), and also have yet to meet my actual prospective advisor at IU. From what I understand, my advisors at Davis and Indiana are lovely, as well. I also don't know if I'm truly ready to go right into a PhD program.  I know that programs do not take it personally where you decide to go, but VT and UIUC, in particular, have been so good to me.

The best features of each program, in my eyes, are:

UC Davis- My prospective advisor has research interests which align exactly with what I want to do, PhD program, California.

UIUC- Fellowship recipient, LOVE the people, low cost of living.

VTech- Great relationship with museums, love the people, low cost of living.

IU- Prospective advisor is incredibly well-known/established in the field I'm going into, low cost of living

Additionally, I'm really worried about the cost of living and housing in Davis, and making a 5 year commitment which I convinced myself out of doing when I thought I would not get into a PhD program. It's amazing how one's mind can flip a scenario, which you greatly sought after, against you. Basically, I convinced myself I'd go into a master's, do well, then eventually obtain a PhD at an Ivy, University of Chicago, or another school of similar caliber. Is a PhD from UC Davis a good starting point for my career in Paleobiology?

Edited February 16, 2016 by ZuzuRU

[HopefulPHD14]

You need to think about what will be best for you long term/career wise.  

Will getting a masters first be able to further your career in any way that going straight into a Ph.D. wouldn't?  For me the answer was no.  I knew that a masters would only be a stepping stone and the Ph.D. was the long term goal.  There is nothing that a masters would do for me that a Ph.D. doesn't already do.  

For that reason, I decided to only apply to Ph.D. programs.  

You need to think about what is best for you.

It sounds to me like Davis could be a pretty good deal.  Ph.D program, research that is "exactly what you want to do", and California really is beautiful (although Davis does have a lot of cows).  I guess for me I don't see why you wouldn't do Davis, but you really need to figure that out for yourself so that you are comfortable with your decision.  

[Need Coffee in an IV]

I'm applying for master programs and not Ph.D. programs so I may be biased. But what is your career goals in Paleobiology? Most of my friends have gone off to funded master programs and they all seem pretty excited. Also being exposed to grad school may make you realize it's not what you thought it would be. I'm in the mindset that establishing contacts and being exposed to different programs is a great idea. My undergrad is in geology and I live in the Virginia Tech area! Have you ever thought about getting a masters and exploring museum opportunities? Then you can evaluate if you really want/need the Ph.D. That's pretty much what I'm doing. Besides grad school will always be there!