Do people who do PhDs realize that they aren’t worth the time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do people who [do something that I wouldn't do because they have difference preferences than I do] realize that they are idiots?

Winner

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For engineering and experimental sciences (not social sciences), MS and PhD programs are usually free with an additional cash stipendin exchange for being a TA/RA. So those programs graduate students with little or no grad school debt, and with very solid job prospects.

PhDs in non-science/non-engineering subjects often have huge debt and result in jobs with much lower incomes afterwards.

So the reality is that cost/benefit of grad school varies very widely and the cost/benefit correlates strongly by the type of degree.

Most humanities and social science PhD programs also are typically ‘free.’

Depends on what you mean. Their stipends are lower than STEM PhD students. $30k/year stipend won’t get you far in Boston or Berkeley even with several roommates.

Definitely not free wrt opportunity cost!

The $30k a year stipend is what I got back in 2001. I think NSF is now offering $37k. You won't get rich, but it's enough to live on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do people who [do something that I wouldn't do because they have difference preferences than I do] realize that they are idiots?

Winner

+ 100%

[Anonymous]

PhDs are aware but usually only once you get too far in. I’m finishing up my PhD and while I do need a PhD to get to a certain level in my field (biotech), I realize now that I could be making a lot more at my age with a master’s, even when I expect to get a job of 100-120k out of school.

For humanities PhDs it is absolutely not worth it whatsoever unless you don’t care at all about money/lifestyle. Also doubly not worth it if you aren’t funded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do it if you love the subject, but know that it’s a terrible financial decision. You could become a nurse or engineer and own at least a condo before the age when most people even finish a PhD program.

But then you'd have to spend your one precious life being a nurse or an engineer, both of which seem like terrible careers to me personally, even though others may be happy in those jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For engineering and experimental sciences (not social sciences), MS and PhD programs are usually free with an additional cash stipendin exchange for being a TA/RA. So those programs graduate students with little or no grad school debt, and with very solid job prospects.

PhDs in non-science/non-engineering subjects often have huge debt and result in jobs with much lower incomes afterwards.

So the reality is that cost/benefit of grad school varies very widely and the cost/benefit correlates strongly by the type of degree.

Most humanities and social science PhD programs also are typically ‘free.’

Depends on what you mean. Their stipends are lower than STEM PhD students. $30k/year stipend won’t get you far in Boston or Berkeley even with several roommates.

Definitely not free wrt opportunity cost!

The $30k a year stipend is what I got back in 2001. I think NSF is now offering $37k. You won't get rich, but it's enough to live on.

That doesn’t apply to humanities PhDs

[Anonymous]

Depends on field, school, whether you can get cost covered, whether it is an important credential for your field. NSF stipend/other similar are not lavish but adequate and most importantly cover tuition. Yes, it often means living with roommates or without a car or whatever.

For me it was absolutely worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish I had known this before my kid committed to attend a college. I didn't realize I would be paying money for him to be taught by idiots. I guess I could have him self teach himself but good luck finding an academic textbook not written by some PHd idiot who knows the math behind search engine algorithms and wasted his time writing a book to explain it to others instead of raking in the money.

Oh the world is so lucky to have people like you (NOT)

Hopefully your kid is more dimensional than you are.

I was being sarcastic which I thought was obvious. Maybe the OP was being sarcastic too and we all just missed it.

It was not obvious....I'm glad you were being sarcastic!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For engineering and experimental sciences (not social sciences), MS and PhD programs are usually free with an additional cash stipendin exchange for being a TA/RA. So those programs graduate students with little or no grad school debt, and with very solid job prospects.

PhDs in non-science/non-engineering subjects often have huge debt and result in jobs with much lower incomes afterwards.

So the reality is that cost/benefit of grad school varies very widely and the cost/benefit correlates strongly by the type of degree.

Top social science programs are also free (at least for the top students).

When I applied (social science), I was rejected by #1 program in country, accepted at a T5 program with nothing (would pay tuition), and accepted at three T6-T15 schools with free tuition. One had no stipend, one had a TA job to support stipend (for all years), and one had free stipend (no work required) for first year to be followed by TA/research work in following years. I was coming from the working world and reconnected with my undergrad profs who had supported my application for advice. They overwhelmingly said take the free stipend option - the three free tuition schools were equal enough and getting free money is by far the best way to start. Ended with no debt and a great job, plus amazing friends and colleagues who are now scattered across the country and world doing a variety of jobs.

[Anonymous]

All the people with PhDs that I know knew very well that it costs a lot and doesn't lead to more money. They do it because they love it and the work. Not everyone works to maximize income.

[Anonymous]

I think some people love academia and the phd process. Worth isn’t always purely financial.

[Anonymous]

Some people want it and can afford it. It sounds like OP can't afford it and so can't grasp that other people could.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some people want it and can afford it. It sounds like OP can't afford it and so can't grasp that other people could.

If you’re paying for a PhD program you don’t belong in it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Obvious troll is obvious.

Winner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My reasons were pure. The search of knowledge for its own sake. How is that a waste of time?

ITA