بۇ دوكتور رەيھان بەكتۇرنىڭ يۇقىرى ئۆرلەپ ئوقۇش توغرىسىدىكى يەنە بىر يازمىسى بۇلۇپ . ئۇ بۇندىن بۇرۇن يازغان يازمىلاردىن دەرىسلەرنى ياخشى ئوقۇش ۋە ياخشى نەتىجە ئېلىش بەك مۇھىم , مەكتەپنىڭ دەرىجىسى مۇھىممۇ ياكى پىروفىسسورمۇ؟ قاتارلىقلار بار. بۇ بلوگدا دوكتور رەيھان توغرىلىق بۇرۇن يېزىلغان تىمىلاردىن دوكتور، ئىنژىنىر رەيھان بەكتۇردوكتۇر رەيھان،  بەكتور بىلەن سۈھبەت دىگەن تىمىلار بار

Topic No.3: MS or PhD?

I used to hear and thought that it is easier to get an assistantship if applying for a PhD program rather than a MS. And now, while working in a university, I still hear many people believe it is easier to apply for PhD. So, I thought I should clarify what I know.

It is true that universities generally give higher priority to PhD applicants. However, the requirements for PhD are also higher. So, it is not accurate to say that getting an acceptance and funding for PhD is easier than for a MS degree. Some schools do not accept students to a PhD program without a MS degree. Therefore, you will have to apply for a MS first. So, it is important that you study the requirements of each program at each school, email professors to find out if she/he is interested in a PhD student or MS student.

Time is another important factor. If you go for a PhD program, it will surely take longer. That means, you will have to commit at least 4 years. A MS degree, on the other hand, although can be challenging in getting funding or may have less funding compared to a PhD research or teaching assistantship, will take shorter time and you may have more freedom in applying to a PhD program that you like very much after you get your MS degree. Since you are already in US, your application may have higher advantage than applications coming from other countries.

So, after all, you will need to consider individual program, school, possible funding, and how much time you want to spend in school. Most importantly, if possible, you should make sure you find a major that you really like.

I hope this helps, and my best wishes to you.