2

Graduate application season is about to start and I would like to apply for MS programs within the US. Ideally, I should apply for a PhD since I already have a MS degree in Inorganic Chemistry. However, I've applied to three different PhD programs in the US and Canada this year and have been rejected to all three, I guess the main reason is that I don't have any publications and I am also a foreign student (from Brazil); hence I decided to try a 2nd MS degree to strengthen my CV and increase the chance of being accepted to a PhD program later.

The question is: should I mention in my application this previous MS in Inorganic Chemistry or should I proceed as if it was going to be my first graduate experience? There are four different scenarios I can think of:

-I mention the MS in my application and it will be considered a plus, increasing my chance of receiving an assistantship.

-I mention the MS in my application and it will be considered a plus by the admission committee, but they won't be able grant me funding (as teaching or research assistantship) since this will not be my 1st MS degree.

-I mention the MS, but the admission committee thinks it is inappropriate to accept me as a master's student since I already have a degree and I would be rejected.

-I don't mention, I won't have the extra experience on my application but my chances of receiving funding are bigger in case I get accepted into the program.

Do my reasoning seems logical? Apparently there are no restrictions about a 2nd degree anywhere I've searched within the departamental websites of which programs I intend to apply, but I'm still not sure how they would ponder this situation.

Improve this question
5
  • Not sure how it would be accepted if you add the prior MS to the application, and I suspect different institutions will view it differently anyway. I can speculate on one element of the options, however; funding. When the funding is discussed and you find that the prior MS will decrease your funding, then you must mention it. Failing to do so will, in the best case, reduce your credibility, and harm many future opportunities. In the worst case, failing to disclose the prior degree and accepting funding you are not entitled to could be criminal, and that would ruin many future prospects!
    – user74312
    Commented Jul 18, 2017 at 4:08
  • 2
    You should apply to more PhD programs than just three! I applied to nine and was only accepted to one with funding, and I think applying to 10-15 is not uncommon. This alone would increase your chances.
    – astronat supports the strike
    Commented Jul 18, 2017 at 5:54
  • @GypsySpellweaver But I've read the graduate school guidelines for every program I intend to apply and there is no mention about 2nd degrees and acceptance/funding. Could I still be penalized by omitting that I already have a MS degree in a different country?
    – Raul Luciano
    Commented Jul 18, 2017 at 12:10
  • 2 MS won't help you get into a PhD but 1-2 years of industry experience definitely could.
    – Hobbes
    Commented Jul 18, 2017 at 15:38
  • I wouldn't use 2 MS degrees as a plus on my PhD application just by citing it, I would use it to improve my CV with publications so I could mention them in future applications.
    – Raul Luciano
    Commented Jul 18, 2017 at 15:42

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2

There are several factors you should consider:

1) check if you are obliged to inform the university about all your previous degrees (this mainly depends on the policy of the university). For example, I know that in some European countries it is highly important to declare it due to financial issues, where students with similar degrees cannot get funding support. In some African and Asian countries, it is not allowed at all to join a program with similar degree due to insufficient pedagogical seats. For this be careful not making a false declaration.

2) in case you are not obliged to declare such an information (Note that it does not mean lying about it), it is better to check if you can make it as a positive point. This should be mentioned in your motivation letter, by intuitively indicating your motivation for the applied program and how its combination with your previous MS will help you to solve difficult problems in the labour market or doing PhD.

If you cannot find such a connection between the two programs and you find that the motivation is not sufficiently convincing, you can hide your degree as long as you are not obliged or asked to declare it.

Overall, everything will be based on how you illustrate your motivation.

Improve this answer
3
  • At least in the departamental and graduate school guidelines there are no imposed restrictions relative to earning a second degree at the same field. I am starting to feel that mentioning the degree will not help me for different reasons though.
    – Raul Luciano
    Commented Jul 18, 2017 at 12:14
  • So if you have a doubt about how it might be considered, just skip mentioning it. You will have in this case equal chances to all other applicants. It is fair, isn't it?
    – Yacine
    Commented Jul 18, 2017 at 14:19
  • Yes, of course.
    – Raul Luciano
    Commented Jul 18, 2017 at 14:20

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .