In the US, usually you do a summer research program if you want to be a PhD student, so you can get a taste of research. At most universities as well, if you d

In the US, usually you do a summer research program if you want to be a PhD student, so you can get a taste of research. At most universities as well, if you decide the PhD isn't for you, there is always the option of leaving with a Master's. Because you get free tuition and a stipend, you also come out ahead of if you had gone straight for the MS (which you generally would pay for).