How much of a difference is the between applying for a Masters Program and a PhD program?
Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2018 5:24 pm
Hey,
I am interested in pursing a Math Masters Degree (hopefully an MS in Pure Mathematics), with no intention of continuing my graduate education and getting a PhD as well. The reason I want the Masters Degree is for teaching purposes. I would like to be able to teach at a community college (and that requires getting a Masters). Also, the reason I specifically want an MS in Pure Mathematics is because I find it a lot more interesting than Applied Mathematics.
I am curious as to the difference in difficulty getting accepted into a Masters program vs a PhD. My grades were subpar* and I have yet to take the GRE. Based on the posts I have seen in the forum, most people applying to graduate programs have much more impressive resumes than me, but they are also applying to PhD programs. I am curious if it is easier to get into a Masters program and if I have a chance of getting into a program at one of my top schools. Any information you guys can provide will be really helpful.
I greatly appreciate any help and please let me know if you have any questions for me.
*I know my grades were not great. I had no intention of going to grad school while I was doing my undergrad so I slacked off and let my grades slip. I also specifically never imagined going to Math graduate school so I cared about my math grades even less than my chem grades.
Background:
Undergrad Institution: UCLA
Major(s): Mathematics B.S. and Chemistry B.S.
Minor(s): N/A
GPA: Math: 3.2, Chem: 3.566, Cum: 3.34
Type of Student: DWM
GRE General Test:
Q: TBD
V: TBD
W: TBD
Program Applying: MS/MA in Pure Mathematics
I am interested in pursing a Math Masters Degree (hopefully an MS in Pure Mathematics), with no intention of continuing my graduate education and getting a PhD as well. The reason I want the Masters Degree is for teaching purposes. I would like to be able to teach at a community college (and that requires getting a Masters). Also, the reason I specifically want an MS in Pure Mathematics is because I find it a lot more interesting than Applied Mathematics.
I am curious as to the difference in difficulty getting accepted into a Masters program vs a PhD. My grades were subpar* and I have yet to take the GRE. Based on the posts I have seen in the forum, most people applying to graduate programs have much more impressive resumes than me, but they are also applying to PhD programs. I am curious if it is easier to get into a Masters program and if I have a chance of getting into a program at one of my top schools. Any information you guys can provide will be really helpful.
I greatly appreciate any help and please let me know if you have any questions for me.
*I know my grades were not great. I had no intention of going to grad school while I was doing my undergrad so I slacked off and let my grades slip. I also specifically never imagined going to Math graduate school so I cared about my math grades even less than my chem grades.
Background:
Undergrad Institution: UCLA
Major(s): Mathematics B.S. and Chemistry B.S.
Minor(s): N/A
GPA: Math: 3.2, Chem: 3.566, Cum: 3.34
Type of Student: DWM
GRE General Test:
Q: TBD
V: TBD
W: TBD
Program Applying: MS/MA in Pure Mathematics