From Masters to PhD: My Plan & Advice Needed

[t-money]

My Plan
I plan on applying to the Univeristy of Washington's and Washington State Masters program (terminal) Although the program is not designed such that one could move on to a PhD in the process. I was thinking of getting a Masters in Physics (condensed matter) with a final Thesis, and If I do well and enjoy it as much as I think I will. Then I will apply again to a PhD program to other schools, hopefully with good recommendations and good grades apply to some top twenty schools.

The Question:
Is this reasonable?
do schools accept people with this background?

Any Advice would be much appreciated
Thanks.

 

[ks_physicist]

What's your undergrad degree? Is there any particular reason you don't want to do a Ph.D. program now, when you could drop out with a master's if that's what you wanted to do?

I chose to do a terminal master's because I didn't feel prepared enough to start a doctoral program immediately after undergrad. I'm glad I did, I really wouldn't have been prepared for a full doctoral program at the time. Now I'm in better shape, academically, and I know better what I want to do in a doctoral program (eventually).

 

[Laura1013]

That sounds reasonable to me. The only concern I would have is the cost of applying to 20 Ph.D. programs! Application fees and transcript fees add up.

 

[t-money]

I am graduating with a BS in Biology and finishing up physics minor. I have taken all but four elective courses for a physics BS but I found out that I can jump into a physics masters program any way. I have a 2.45 GPA so I thought it would be a good way to boost my credentials. this is my fifth year so the school really wants to kick me out :) .

I meant to say that I want to apply to schools in the top twenty. :)

 

[thinkies]

With a 2.45 GPA, do you think its reasonable to apply in 'top schools'...?

 

[t-money]

After a Masters Degree maybe

 

[Vanadium 50]

I don't think this plan will do what you want.

The UW program says in bold letters: This program is not intended as preparation for a PhD Program. You need to realize your preparation is poor: you don't have a BS in physics, and your GPA is very, very poor. Adding a degree that specifically states that it is not intended for preparation for a PhD does not improve your preparation.

That's assuming you even get in the program with a 2.45 and no degree in physics. This is not guaranteed.

Frankly, the only way you are going to get in a top school with a 2.45 and no physics degree is with a letter of recommendation from a recognized name that says something like "best student in the past 10 years".

 

[CaptainQuaser]

I agree with that, from what I have seen most grad schools don't admit people with less than a 3.5, and that is on the low end for applying to a Masters program.

 

[t-money]

Alright, forget the top school I just want to study physics at the graduate level and I think getting a masters degree would be a good way to do that.

 

[Howers]

Your GPA is sh1t poor. And its in life sciences.

The only way you'd get into a physics PhD... I'll spare you, you wont.

Up those grades in another year or choose crappy school. I sure as hell wouldn't want a C student telling me of his research on condensed matter.

 

[t-money]

Your GPA is sh1t poor. And its in life sciences.

The only way you'd get into a physics PhD... I'll spare you, you wont.

Up those grades in another year or choose crappy school. I sure as hell wouldn't want a C student telling me of his research on condensed matter.

That is why I think I will apply through the masters program first and not try to immediately go for the PhD. Afterwards based on how I do, I will then consider a PhD program. I am not trying to apply for the PhD. straight out of my undergrad.

 

[CaptainQuaser]

A masters program won't accept a C student either...
I am applying to masters programs at top Canadian schools, with lots of research experience and a 3.7 and its still hit or miss (I haven't received any rejections yet but I anticipate the possibility) As for not good schools, they still won't accept anyone below a 3.0 into a masters program.

 

[Andy Resnick]

My Plan
I plan on applying to the Univeristy of Washington's and Washington State Masters program (terminal) Although the program is not designed such that one could move on to a PhD in the process. I was thinking of getting a Masters in Physics (condensed matter) with a final Thesis, and If I do well and enjoy it as much as I think I will. Then I will apply again to a PhD program to other schools, hopefully with good recommendations and good grades apply to some top twenty schools.

The Question:
Is this reasonable?
do schools accept people with this background?

Any Advice would be much appreciated
Thanks.

After all the discussion (some of which I disagree with), I still don't understand what you intend to do with your education, Ph.D. or no. Do you have a 5-year plan? A 10-year plan? Are you staying in school as a means to avoid getting a job?

 

[t-money]

After all the discussion (some of which I disagree with), I still don't understand what you intend to do with your education, Ph.D. or no. Do you have a 5-year plan? A 10-year plan? Are you staying in school as a means to avoid getting a job?

My plan is to work in industry after getting a masters degree in the next five years.

 

[leon1127]

Master degree at a decent school is more than you might imagine now, let not talk about PhDs.

If you can get into a master programme, do it, because I don't think you stand a chance to get into PhD from your status now. PhD in analytical discipline is more demanding than you have faced so far I am certain.