my 2 cents ... may b i am repeating again. ==================================================== after undergrad we rarely know what we want to do. but there are some exceptions. if you know what you want do it (O: . otherwise, 1. go out to full time work. this will give you a fresh outlook as to what you want to do. whether you would like to be in acedemia or industry. or just work in either. in the mean time you will be able to fill the $$ pit that you emptied for your undergrad. Reason i am saying that is you can never go for grad studies with that money "haunting" you. 2. after working for 2 years. think if you want to go for grad school. if you just want masters then you can continue both [ i.e. work and study ] but if you really want to get PhD then. get in school full time. finish your masters and everything including your qualifying exam ASAP. [ you would have already spent @ least 4-5 years based on your requirements] then you can really think whether that's what you want. if so then finish your last stretch and get your phd other wise get back to INDUSTRY and printing $$$. ===================================================== as always, once again what do i know (O: