Is it a better option to pursue a PhD in CS(AI/ML) than a MS considering the current situation (Rece

Question

Is it a better option to pursue a PhD in CS(AI/ML) than a MS considering the current situation (Recession, Economic Fall, Covid-19 and deferred admissions) ? 
Asking for fall 2021. I am currently in the last semester of my undergrad.

Kanagaraj b · Answer

PhD is 90 credits apprx

Akansha Kalra · Answer

Yup ! PhD will help you secure better jobs in AI/ML . There's higher ratio of jobs in these fields which require PhD as compared to ones with MS

Kal Yesh · Answer

PhD is a real pain. I see most of the people struggling and hating their lives for it. Don’t take phd unless you have real passion and you think you can sacrifice everything for PhD

Aayush Verma · Answer

PhD will be more competitive as compared to MS in the first place. Coming to the recession part, recession will be for everyone. Moreover dollar value will fall so you will end up paying lesser in rupees. Also, going by history IT industry has boomed extremely quickly after a recession. So you can also get more opportunities in the coming time. Hence, in short, stop worrying and stay positive.

Aayush Verma · Answer

As for Fall 2021, it will be competitive for both MS and PhD because many students from Fall 20 and Spring 21 would be deferring to Fall 21 because of coronavirus. Hence, there will be a shortage of seats if the Universities don't come up with an alternative solution.

Aayush Verma · Answer

It depends on personal interest. I am not much into research so I am going for MS.

Aayush Verma · Answer

H1B special category (15k slots if I am not wrong) is for people with advanced degrees from US. It incorporates both MS and PhD. Green Card comes after this so don't worry about it now. That's atleast 8-10 years from now for you.

Rohith Kumar · Answer

@akuuuakshii Thnx

Rohith Kumar · Answer

@Manasi1998 ??

Rohith Kumar · Answer

@Nickyqwerty Can you please elaborate? As far as I know, the first 2 year of PhD is similar to Masters.

Rohith Kumar · Answer

@aakumarv thanks for the insight. What will you suggest/choose between MS and PhD, given the curent situation for fall 21?  Also I heard that PhD students are eligibl

Rohith Kumar · Answer

*eligible for green card under some express category. Wont that be a key deciding factor?

Rohith Kumar · Answer

@aakumarv Thanks.

Rohith Kumar · Answer

@Kanagu Depends on the university and college

Rohith Kumar · Answer

@mayankrajgupta99 Thanks for the info.

Rohith Kumar · Answer

@Adistudent My intial plan was to do an MS work for a couple of years then go for PhD. So I dont see anything changing with my interests.

Rohith Kumar · Answer

@Adistudent Thanks for that. One more thing, I hear people on youtube and quora saying that for PhD university rank is not important. How far is this true?

Rohith Kumar · Answer

@Adistudent anyway I dont think I will be able to get into the top 15. Probably eying for top 30 schools in CS. Doesn't location afftect job prospects after PhD as it does for a MS?

Rohith Kumar · Answer

@Adistudent makes proper sense. A big thanks to you for clearing up everything.

Aditya Natu · Answer

Only pursue a PhD if you're willing to perform original research in the field, and you're interested in contributing to the knowledge in the area. Otherwise you'd start a PhD program and by the time you get to your 3rd-4th year, you'd realize this was never something that i wanted to do.

A MS degree will give you sufficient knowledge and skills to do well in most job profiles in your field. As for the recession, you'd have to fight like everyone is will be. No point in doing a PhD and hiding from it. Good luck!

Aditya Natu · Answer

@srk2498 then i would advise applying for a PhD straight awa. Doing a MS, working for a couple of years and then doing a PhD, means you'll be in school at the age 32-33. Even though age doesn't sound like a big deal, it slowly gets to your head. So it's better to start your PhD if you're sure that this is what you want to do in the long term. Just a thought for you to consider.
-from someone who has spent god knows how much time thinking about all this before applying for a PhD.

Aditya Natu · Answer

@srk2498 that question is still kind of up in the air. There's two sides to it- you can get a high quality education in mid ranked programs as well, and depending on your advisor your research could be extremely stimulating to you. So, rank really shouldn't matter.
But top ranked programs usually have very high research funding, the quality of students around you is very high, which motivates you as well, you can collaborate with different groups (each just as good as any other) and have a wide exposure, so that is the adv of a top ranked program. 
Personally, I don't think you should drop below top 50. A top 50 program covers all these expectations very well.
Secondly, getting an admit to a top 15 ranked PhD programs isn't easy- high GPA, publications, LOR from a faculty/industry professional who is very well known in the field.

Aditya Natu · Answer

It shouldn't. A PhD gives you 4-6 years to form a network. Plus you get to travel to conferences, seminars where you meet companies that employ people of your field. And your advisor recommends you for positions using their network. So the whole career fair/big city dynamic doesn't really come into it as much as it will with a MS degree holder.

shyam reddy · Answer

I think ms is better option untill u have good command in subject

Manasi Agrawal · Answer

Stony Brook

Mayank Gupta · Answer

@srk2498 PhD is fully funded as well as extremely competitive because of the mentioned reason. You should be having a decent research experience as to get into one. PhD holder can have their green card filed under the EB2 category which would mean you can get it within 2 years of filling. But, even for your employer to file it up, your PhD records should be super strong .