<p>in a lot of programs you can get the master’s along the way to a PhD. for example, in computer science you do course work and a project the first 2 years or so, then they give you a masters and you continue working towards the PhD.</p>
<p>on the age issue: i am sure you will find people your age. i am turning 22 tomorrow and am in the midst of visiting top CS schools. i definitely feel younger because a lot of people have taken time off. as a side note, when i was in 2nd grade my mom started doing a PhD program. she was 38 at the time.</p>
<p>good luck to you, you should be proud of yourself for wanting to go back to school!!!</p>