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Get a PhD?

What does it take to get a PhD

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Katherine’s Answer

Before you even consider a PhD, you should make sure your area of study is something you're really passionate about. Getting into a program isn't easy; departments don't take on that many students because you're working closely with faculty on research. You're looking at 5+ years of classes and research projects and manuscript writing on top of your dissertation that you have to defend to a panel of faculty to graduate. Since you're talking about the sciences, you should have some research experience either working in a lab doing the work, working with data, and doing statistical analysis. You'll have classes on manuscript writing and statistics, but if you discover you really don't like research then you'll save yourself the time and money you spend in a PhD program.

Make sure you're getting a PhD only if your career requires it. It's a lot of work. PhDs are typically dedicating their life to research and teaching. At my school and in my area of study, the PhDs are required to get some teaching experience (they dedicate some time to being a teaching assistant for some grad school level classes).
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Olivia’s Answer

In terms of the requirements, general milestones across most American doctoral programs include finishing your core/advanced coursework, a qualifying examination to reach candidacy (which includes a thesis research proposal & oral defense), and a written dissertation & oral defense. The timeline and exact nature of these milestones can differ from program to program. For example, my program requires an Oral Qualifying Examination after your first year and a written thesis proposal & defense during your second year in order to advance to candidacy. Your program may also have other requirements such as publishing one first-author paper by the time you graduate. You may also most likely be required to be a teaching assistant with varied duties (such as grading assignments, teaching in an undergraduate lab course, leading a study section, etc.).

Getting a Ph.D. takes time and a lot of perseverance and dedication, but it can be very fulfilling. Make sure you are passionate about research in your field of interest!

Olivia recommends the following next steps:

Determine if your career goal requires a PhD
Join a lab or get a job as a research assistant to get a feel for scientific research
Check out the book "A PhD Is Not Enough" by Peter J. Feibelman
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Gabe’s Answer

It does not hurt having one, as it is well appreciated by many employers. It demonstrates you poses certain skills.

However, it may be demanding to get it as it takes time, money, dedication, persistence.

If research, education is your true Passion, certainly go for it.

You can see many people with only bachelors getting into very high positions in various organizations.
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Chris’s Answer

According to thecollegemonk.com:

Step 1: Complete an undergraduate degree
Step 2: Complete a master's program
Step 3: Apply for a PhD program
Step 4: Complete your coursework
Step 5: Prepare a research proposal
Step 6: Complete a literature review
Step 7: Research and collect results
Step 8: Produce a thesis and write a dissertation
Step 9: Viva Voce
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Vas’s Answer

Firstly, it's essential to pinpoint the driving force behind your desire to pursue a PhD - is it for personal growth, prestige, or a burning passion for a particular subject matter?

Embarking on a PhD journey demands dedication, relentless effort, and a tenacious spirit. You should also ponder over the ultimate objective - is it merely about acquiring the degree or the opportunities it could potentially unlock?

Undertaking a PhD can be likened to a challenging uphill journey that demands substantial time, financial resources, and effort. Particularly, pursuing PhDs in humanities can present financial hurdles. While fields like physical sciences and engineering often provide financial support in graduate school, humanities usually don't. Evaluating the cost-benefit ratio of a PhD is a personal task, especially if your aim is to achieve a higher income - remember, not all PhDs pave the way to a high-paying career like medicine or law do.

Here are the steps you might want to consider:

Start by earning an undergraduate degree. If feasible, gain a year or two of work experience in your chosen field right after graduation. Aim to enroll directly into a PhD program, bypassing the master's degree. Conduct an exhaustive research on financial aid options for your degree and study the completion timelines at your preferred school or major.

Best of luck on your academic journey!
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