STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Hi, Jen.
I got a PhD (I defended in Sep 2003).
As far as I understand, in the US you can go for a PhD either after you batchelor degree or after your master. I had my master already, because I was coming from abroad. If you go for PhD after the MS, you can transfer a lot of credits both for classes and for research (if you are required credits for research), which I did. It took me 3 years to get my PhD, but that's because I could skip a lot of classes that I had transferred.

If you start directly after your batchelor degree (which is better, in my opinion), you should plan to study for about 5 years, sometimes longer, I guess it depends which field you are in. As for the classes, yes, they are a really higher level (i.e., tougher) compared to undergrad classes.

Also, I was lucky b/c I had a full scholarship and a salary, and on top of this I was TAing general chem lab. Being a TA is often required, if not, I'd do it anyway b/c it's a way to earn some money doing something related to your field of study.

I can't really say whether you should go for it or not. I think it really depends on the job you'd like to have. I find in my field (science), the PhD gives you more flexibility compared to a MS degree: people with a MS are usually technicians.
Personally, I am really happy with my decision to keep studying.

Hope this helped a littel bit; you can PM me if you have questions...