Master's Thesis vs. Non-thesis

DespSeekPhd
Thu, 22 Jun 2006 11:47:58 +0000

If you’re applying to a PhD program and you do the non-thesis option, the PhD adcoms are going to wonder why. It does not look good to avoid research and review if you’re applying to a program that will require just that. Many times your advisor at the master’s program will advise you based on that - my advisor told me that if I was planning on going on to the PhD, he wouldn’t let me do the non-thesis option (I was planning on the thesis, anyway), and I have heard the same from others. The name of the game in PhD admissions is how much research can you get on your application. Unless you’re in a situation with a huge amount of previous research and work experience, the thesis option is the way to go for a PhD.