[jleyank]

Going to make grad school in research-oriented fields rather difficult, as they tend to go longer than 4 years unless everything works the first time or the department isn’t full of 5 semesters of candidate work (courses, cumes, prelim). But unless there’s funding available, nobody will be able to fund a group so I guess it’s a wash.

[macleginn]

An unintended consequence may be the separation between master's and PhD programmes, like what is normally done in Europe.

[jleyank]

Possibly, but unless things changed recently a masters in chemistry from a us “research oriented” school is a consolation prize. I can see such departments having candidates fulfill their prep work elsewhere, getting a masters in the process. I can also see future administrations changing things if when they restore funding.

Having to herd pre-meds for funding also lengthens the process.