Full-Time or Part-Time Master's: Advice Needed

[yenchin]

Dear all, I am currently working as a lecturer at a polytechnic. I have recently been accepted into a master program (by research) in mathematics (I obtained a B.Sc (Hons) in math 2 years ago). Given that my aim is to get into a good phd program, do you think that I should:

My undergraduate transcript isn't beautiful, and I hope that I can get a better result in M.Sc, sort of to make up for my undergrads results. So naturally I would think that full time master will allow me to concentrate more on study. But several others have advised that I should keep my job (which works 8.30pm to 6pm 5 times a week) because an experience of having lecturing in a polytechnic can help to get into a good phd program. But I very much doubt that is going to help much if my grades ended up mediocre... besides having day jobs mean that I am missing out on most of the interesting courses as only a few courses are conducted in the evening.

I think I just need more opinions as to whether I should go full time to pursue my dream, or keep my current job in the hope that it will also somehow help me in the long run... Please advice. Thanks.

 

[Choppy]

So it sounds like you have two years experience teaching. I'm not sure that extending this to four years is going to look that much more impressive on an application - especially if it's teaching the same material.

The best qualifier for a Ph.D. program is good performance in an M.Sc. program.

What I think is more important to consider is the financial situation you'll enter into by going from full time employment to being a student again. If you're okay with this, I would pursue full time studies.

 

[yenchin]

I spent first year or so teaching at a local prestigious high school, and another year or so lecturing at polytechnic. I have no issue with finance since I can support myself via tutoring. Thanks for your advise.

 

[ks_physicist]

How nice that you can be a lecturer at a polytechnic with a bachelor's degree. The larger community colleges (in the US, pre-bachelor's only) wouldn't even consider me with a bachelor's degree. Most require a master's for any subject where it is routinely available (e.g., they will let you teach photography by either training or experience, but you must have a master's to teach physics, math, chemistry, etc.).