Schools What degree should I select when applying for grad school: Masters or PhD?

[guitarguy314]

Hi everyone. Just for a bit of background info, I earned my B.S. in Physics in May.

I'm applying for grad school (for next year), but I'm kinda stuck on part of the application. It's kind of silly, but I'm a worrier.

There's a spot on the application for you to select what degree you are seeking, masters, or PhD. Which should I select?

I'd like to go for my PhD, but my worry is that if I select that, they'll be looking for me to already have a Masters degree, and I won't get in because they'll think that my resume will be incomplete.

My worry if I select masters degree is that they won't think to sign me up for tuition waivers, and the stipend that PhD students get.

Do you guys have any thoughts?

 

[ModusPwnd]

You should select PhD. In the US admission committees are looking for people fresh out of undergrad, not people with masters degrees.

 

[guitarguy314]

I'm, worried that I wasn't clear. I am planning to go for PhD, but I do not have a masters degree. My worry is that selecting PhD will put me in an incomplete application limbo. The idea being that they will be waiting for proof of my masters degree from somewhere.

Or am I just worrying for nothing, and the department will figure it out?

 

[ModusPwnd]

In the US admission committees are looking for people fresh out of undergrad, not people with masters degrees. Does this make sense? Are you in the US?

 

[guitarguy314]

it makes perfect sense, I was just making sure that I worded the question correctly. Thanks for your response.