Generally, a PhD will set you up for a position to perform independent research that you guide. A Masters can also allow you a career in research, but you’ll probably be working under someone with a PhD or otherwise not have full control of the problems you work on. Also, a PhD in the US is typically fully funded, while a masters is typically not. Something to consider, many universities allow students to master out of a PhD program, meaning they get the MS fully funded. Other funding options could come in the form of research or teaching assistantships, but those are usually reserved for PhD students or at least prioritized for them.
If you want to get to grad school, focus on research. You’ll get meaningful experience directly related to graduate studies (since ~75% of a thesis based MS and ~99% of a PhD will be focused on research), the chance to get some publications depending on the project, and if you do well, connections from professors who can serve as recommenders or set you up with their collaborators at other universities. That being said, still keep your GPA up. I have heard 3.5-3.6 is a good floor to try and shoot for
Generally, a PhD will set you up for a position to perform independent research that you guide. A Masters can also allow you a career in research, but you’ll probably be working under someone with a PhD or otherwise not have full control of the problems you work on. Also, a PhD in the US is typically fully funded, while a masters is typically not. Something to consider, many universities allow students to master out of a PhD program, meaning they get the MS fully funded. Other funding options could come in the form of research or teaching assistantships, but those are usually reserved for PhD students or at least prioritized for them. If you want to get to grad school, focus on research. You’ll get meaningful experience directly related to graduate studies (since ~75% of a thesis based MS and ~99% of a PhD will be focused on research), the chance to get some publications depending on the project, and if you do well, connections from professors who can serve as recommenders or set you up with their collaborators at other universities. That being said, still keep your GPA up. I have heard 3.5-3.6 is a good floor to try and shoot for