Signup date: 25 Apr 2006 at 9:04pm
Last login: 27 Jan 2007 at 11:52am
Post count: 22
Yeah, you're damn right.
Crazy thing is while they are a lot of guys who want to make a PhD and who look desperately for a place I received myself two pretty trustworthy offers.
But guess it makes no sense if you are not committed.
As I even have a kind of job perspective the only hurdle left is a diplomatic mission to my parents, destroying their dreams of having another egghead in the family. Well, I guess every family needs its black sheep...
Thanks for you comments
@golfpro
Well I did a search but I found only the eternally recurring mantras telling you what your motivation SHOULD be like. So I was curious if they match to reality.
I don't get rid of the impression that a lot of guys slither more or less voluntarily into a PhD program because the lack sound alternatives/ideas for how to continue otherwise.
Could imaginge that katq's statement is a pretty rare exception when compared to the majority of PhD students.
I finished my master's degree in biology this year and I opted for not continuing with a PhD because I found something more interesting to me.
But still I'm curious. While I had been contemplating about whether to go for a PhD or not I stumbled across so much negative comments that I wonder why so many still decide to do it.
So what is (or was) your motivation?
Is it the perspective of a better job afterwards, the fascination for a specific academic field, the desire to broaden one's mind, or just a lack of alternatives that makes you opt for academia?
I would be nice to hear some statements from you...
I think the problem is that a lot of US-programms start at the Bachelor-level and lead directly to the PhD.
I'm trying at the moment if I can get an arrangement for being accepted on advanced standing with my Master's Degree.
But I guess I'll have to spend at least 4 years for the PhD. It's the question if this is worth the international experience. I hope so...
don't think my criteria are odd. What I hate about working long hours in a lab is the fact that it's cold and dark once you get out in the evening.
I'm about to finish my Master's degree in France and I realised that I was much more motivated in the warmer month than during winter times.
@ Stu
You're serious about the time difference between US and UK PhD programs? I thought it takes between 3 and 4 years in the UK and mostly 4 years in the US but I'm not sure?!
Does anybody know a good PhD/grad school website for the US?
I want to make my PhD in an English speaking country where I can still drive home in a Cadillac convertible without feeling cold when I leave the lab at 10 pm. Best would be if this climat is all year round.
UK and Canada are therefore not good places for me but I thought US might be fine.
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