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(I don't think there's a master of philosophy tag here)

I'm applying to PhD programs in pure math. I have a research master's degree in applied math. While it doesn't have a thesis, it has a course project. I've been reading about requirements for PhD programs and it turns out US-style PhDs expect only a bachelor's and a statement of purpose while European-style PhDs expect a (research) master's degree

I'm applying to universities places not in Europe or in the US that are somewhere in the middle. These universities offer MPhil.

Now, I have a feeling I won't be seen by universities as qualified for PhDs but will be qualified for MPhil. My ultimate goal is to pursue a PhD. I am perfectly fine with having to do an MPhil first.

My understanding is that

  • if I would apply for a PhD, then I should specify a certain area of math (for a statement of purpose; for a research proposal that's just the basics I guess) which I should be sure about researching otherwise I am a candidate who is not sure about research interests

  • but if I would apply for a master's, I should be flexible and thus state a certain area/s of research as merely a possible route

    1. So what should I do for a statement of purpose for MPhil, which is somewhere in the middle of a master's and PhD? How sure/flexible should I be?

    2. Additionally, is it disadvantageous to:

  • state in a PhD application that I am open to doing an MPhil?

  • apply for both an MPhil and a PhD in the same university?

I am concerned that doing either will count against me in being accepted for a PhD because it seems like I'm not so sure of myself.

I was advised to ask the admissions offices of the universities but that seems to me like asking a jury how to appeal to the same jury. I would ask a lawyer how I would appeal to the jury.

I was advised also to apply to MPhil's in some universities and PhD's in others. What do you think?

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  1. Typically departments (at least in the U.S.) will tell you on their website whether they have a preference about how you present your intentions.

I think you should try to get into a PhD program if possible. However, you could apply to one or two master's programs just in case.

If your intention is to eventually get a PhD, just be honest about that. In fact, for many departments, that would be a plus.

  1. No one is going to hold you to what you write in your SOP.

They want to make sure you are motivated and have some sort of creative idea(s) -- but no one is going to check you against your SOP two years from now.

I'm not sure I covered everything. To get useful responses, try to modularize. It's okay to write more than one question.

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  • Thank you aparente001! Are you European? (based on the second "e") ? Well I find asking the university like asking the jury how I should appeal to them. What are universities looking for in an MPhil application? Wait, is what you said about SOP applicable to any graduate program (assuming the grad program requires SOP and not a research proposal so let's not include European PhD's and I guess European MPhil's)
    – BCLC
    Nov 5, 2016 at 15:33
  • Actually I'm not quite sure you exactly answered 2.1 or 2.2. I think it will be a bonus for MPhil applications if I say I want to pursue a PhD after but my question is if it may hurt my PhD applications if I apply for MPhil (in the same university) or say I am open to MPhil in my SOP for PhD?
    – BCLC
    Nov 5, 2016 at 15:35
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    Let's see if I've understood. Your preference would be to enroll in a PhD program, with the intention of earning a PhD; to hedge your bets, you are considering applying to both the PhD and master's track in University A, hoping this would increase your chances of acceptance at University A; you're wondering if doing so would weaken your PhD application to University A?
    – aparente001
    Nov 5, 2016 at 16:10
  • aparente001, yeah pretty much! Some universities need research proposal for PhD so I may consider applying only to MPhil there
    – BCLC
    Nov 5, 2016 at 18:02
  • @JackBauer - If you have a handful of departments in mind, maybe it would be helpful to share the names. I really think that looking at what the department has published about its admissions policies and instructions could be the key.
    – aparente001
    Nov 7, 2016 at 7:23

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