What is your opinion on the backdoor (non-degree) method?

[qpoiz]

I was curious if some of you guys tried entering as a non-degree student to gain admission into the PhD program the following academic year.

Specifically, I would receive a non-traditional graduate student status to take graduate-level courses, which are transferable and part of the PhD core curriculum. Potentially, I would work as a part-time school employee to possibly receive tuition assistance.

The benefit is that I would not be tied to the full-time student tuition level, and considering that Masters program funding is scarce, this method may be more economical. I would only pay based on # of credits taken. But the obvious downsides are that admission is not guaranteed and there is no internal funding.

Also I plan to work as a school employee to receive tuition exemption. For public schools (e.g., U. of Washington and UCLA), tuition assistance is very generous.

Just in case, are there funding opportunities for prospective "grad" students like me that I'm not aware of? Although not guaranteed, is admission likely going this route considering that I would have formed relationships with the dept. faculty and staff?

Any thoughts, inputs, tips will be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much for your time and help.

 

^{Edit: I have a decent (3.3) uGPA. I received a BS in biochemistry at a top 25 school but wanted to specialize into a more quantitative field (biostatistics). I took time off to take 11 undergraduate quantitative courses in the summer and fall semesters and was successful (4.0 GPA). I have research experience, publication, all the necessary documents but was involved in a car accident that prevented me from writing the GRE before application deadlines. Before considering non-degree programs, I was going to apply to the MS program first instead of the PhD program because I felt that my quantitative background may be lacking and worried that my age (27 yrs) will put me at a disadvantage against other PhD applicants.}

Edited February 18, 2016 by inbrsuan

[TakeruK]

I think working as a research assistant / lab tech to gain experience to improve your profile for later PhD admission is a viable path. I have known many students who did it this way. However, I also know students who don't succeed in this way. So it's not a sure thing.

I think a big difference is what your part time job at the school is. I think your work experience will help you get into a PhD program much more than taking courses. So, if you are working in your PhD field then the work you're doing will go a long way towards improving your chances at getting into a program later. The courses probably won't help very much though, however, it's good to have a few things that show you are still strong academically. I don't think your age (27) is so old that you'll be treated any different.

[qpoiz]

Thank you for your reply, TaeruK. Going back to your comment on students not succeeding, was it because they couldn't handle the workload? Did they struggle to learn the material quickly or maybe did not expect what being a graduate student meant?

I think you bring up a good point. The question then becomes, how easily could I work in a biostatistics lab as a non-degree student. Ideally I'd like to work under the PI who will advise me, but considering that my research interests may change and, again, depending on how easy it'll be to work in lab, this may be very challenging.

Edited February 18, 2016 by inbrsuan

[rising_star]

@inbrsuan, it's not about finding the absolute perfect research fit right now but, it is about finding a lab where you can get good experience conducting research and possibly work on publishable research, both of which will strengthen your applications even if it's not exactly the research you want to do in graduate school.

Also, not all schools give tuition benefits to employees right away (some require you to be employed for 90 days first) so that is something to look into. Because of the tuition benefits, even part-time jobs at public universities can be pretty competitive because there are a lot of people out there who want to start/finish a degree and need the financial assistance.

[TakeruK]

6 hours ago, inbrsuan said:

Thank you for your reply, TaeruK. Going back to your comment on students not succeeding, was it because they couldn't handle the workload? Did they struggle to learn the material quickly or maybe did not expect what being a graduate student meant?

I think you bring up a good point. The question then becomes, how easily could I work in a biostatistics lab as a non-degree student. Ideally I'd like to work under the PI who will advise me, but considering that my research interests may change and, again, depending on how easy it'll be to work in lab, this may be very challenging.

When I said not succeeding, I meant that they did not succeed in their goal to get admitted to grad school where they were working. I don't know how well they did in their classes, but doing well in classes doesn't get you admitted into grad school. 

@rising_star is right that getting a non-research job at a University is very competitive since it comes with great benefits. I pay attention to the job postings at my school because I know some people (who aren't students) that want to work here, and only one person I know has actually got a job and it was after a year of applying and interviewing for several positions unsuccessfully. Also, I see the job posting say something like "minimum 3 years of experience" but when the person is hired, they are introduced to us and the department head often tell us a little about their history and we find out they already have 10-15+ years of experience. (P.S. my school only gives tuition benefits after the probationary period ends, which is usually 6 months)

So, my opinion is that the energy and time spent getting a non-research job and taking courses as a non-degree student might be better spent trying to get research experience instead, if your goal is a PhD program. And like rising_star said, you don't need to do research in your specific topic of interest---just do research in general!

 

[magnetite]

@TakeruK If you don't mine me asking here, I'm curious what age would start putting you at a disadvantage against other PhD applicaants? I'm unfortunately the wrong side of 30, but I've got a bit of research experience and extensive work experience. I've only heard back from one of eight programs I applied to, but I'm not optimistic that I'll be accepted anywhere this time around. I'm mainly looking for ways to improve my credentials for the next cycle, but at that point I'll be a year older obviously, which might be held against me even more.

[TakeruK]

Just now, magnetite said:

@TakeruK If you don't mine me asking here, I'm curious what age would start putting you at a disadvantage against other PhD applicaants? I'm unfortunately the wrong side of 30, but I've got a bit of research experience and extensive work experience. I've only heard back from one of eight programs I applied to, but I'm not optimistic that I'll be accepted anywhere this time around. I'm mainly looking for ways to improve my credentials for the next cycle, but at that point I'll be a year older obviously, which might be held against me even more.

I'll be honest---I don't know the answer. Age discrimination should not be a thing but I don't know how good people are at not discriminating based on age!

[rising_star]

2 hours ago, magnetite said:

@TakeruK If you don't mine me asking here, I'm curious what age would start putting you at a disadvantage against other PhD applicaants? I'm unfortunately the wrong side of 30, but I've got a bit of research experience and extensive work experience. I've only heard back from one of eight programs I applied to, but I'm not optimistic that I'll be accepted anywhere this time around. I'm mainly looking for ways to improve my credentials for the next cycle, but at that point I'll be a year older obviously, which might be held against me even more.

This varies by field, for sure. For example, PhD students in education are expected to have several years of work experience before pursuing the PhD, so it's common for them to be around 30 or older when they start. There have been a number of conversations here about applying as or being an older student. For example, see here. 

[magnetite]

@rising_star Thanks. I'll check out that thread.