Anyone Working Towards a Doctorate?

[bmy78]

I'm considering going for a Ph.D. in political science and, to all those out there in doctoral study, I was wondering about your thoughts and how does one do it? I don't understand how anyone can financially go for it (it seems to have to live at near-poverty levels before you finish). I've been out of school for about 4 years now and I'd like to try a swing at it.

Thanks.

--Brian

[J-girl]

My friend's doing her doctorate in English. Along with having a part time job, she also TAs so she gets all these grants. And the profs are pretty accomodating apparently.

[yankeeyosh]

I'm considering going for a Ph.D. in political science and, to all those out there in doctoral study, I was wondering about your thoughts and how does one do it? I don't understand how anyone can financially go for it (it seems to have to live at near-poverty levels before you finish). I've been out of school for about 4 years now and I'd like to try a swing at it.

Thanks.

--Brian

I only got an master's in a scientific field, so it's not exactly the same, but I have a good idea of the goings on. If you're out of school for a while, and have been making a decent income, going back to school will be a shock in the old wallet. Science assistanships are relatively "generous" ($16-18,000 is probably the rule now), but humanities tend to be quite a bit lower. And if you're going to school in a major city, that is obviously not a liveable wage. What I would do is save up as much money as possible. If you can come up with $10,000 somehow and put it in an interest-bearing account, then you will have about $2,500 extra (tax free!) a year for 5 years. So if you wind up with a $13,000 stipend, say, with your savings you will have $15,500, of which only $13,000 is taxed. That's a lot more doable. And if you can get around without a car, then you may want to sell it (or at least get to a situation where you don't need to make payments while in school).

[wordsmith]

I couldn't justify doing it, and I wanted to at one point. It was actually a professor herself that gave me the wakeup call. It would have been in English, and since I'm not intending to be a college professor, there really doesn't seem to be much reason to go that route. If it's just for lifelong learning and personal love of academics, well, there are cheaper routes to go for that.

[winneythepooh7]

I think that it would be cool to teach Social Work courses, however, I really can't justify the expense of getting my PhD. I already owe close to $70K in student loans since I went to a private school. I think down the road, I might get my certificate to do Supervision for students working on their MSW. I would love to supervise students. Especially at my current job. I also think that to teach on an Associate's or Bachelor's level, you don't need your PhD. Also, most of the SW PhD program is research courses and statistics and all that kind of thing. That really isn't my thing or what I would want to be doing.

[lynn29]

Hey Brian--

I was working on a Ph.D. for a little while before I left the program. If you love what you are specializing in and have a strong passion or desire to research and really impact the field you will be working in then go for it. I went for the wrong reasons. I went to "find" myself and explore. I thought I'd graduate and start making better money then I do now. That's not always the case....

If its about passion or to get the job you've been waiting for all your life then do it. It can be really rewarding and many of my friends are still there working 7 days a week, not sleeping a whole lot and making just enough money to get by... Which can definitely be difficult for someone who is used to a real income and increased level of spending... Grad school is about specializing... I guess I just like being able to look at the world in a broader sense. I am finishing up my Masters which I think gets overlooked sometimes. Masters degrees are a good place to start. I would apply to a masters program that has the potential to be a Ph.D program if in 2-3 years you still want to pursue your studies. Good Luck. I truely wish you the best.

:)

[lilyflower]

I might end up with a Ph.D. someday. (I like to think so at least) I'm just starting grad work towards a master's now - part-time with 80% tuition reimbursement. I seriously would go to school no other way.

[decatur]

I only got an master's in a scientific field, so it's not exactly the same, but I have a good idea of the goings on. If you're out of school for a while, and have been making a decent income, going back to school will be a shock in the old wallet. Science assistanships are relatively "generous" ($16-18,000 is probably the rule now), but humanities tend to be quite a bit lower. And if you're going to school in a major city, that is obviously not a liveable wage. What I would do is save up as much money as possible. If you can come up with $10,000 somehow and put it in an interest-bearing account, then you will have about $2,500 extra (tax free!) a year for 5 years. So if you wind up with a $13,000 stipend, say, with your savings you will have $15,500, of which only $13,000 is taxed. That's a lot more doable. And if you can get around without a car, then you may want to sell it (or at least get to a situation where you don't need to make payments while in school).

I was looking into a PhD program in genetics in UCSD, UWash, UWisc, and some other places. Stipend was $21,000-28,000. I couldn't imagine having to work that hard nad pay that little. It is a bit of a shocker so I decided to wait it out a bit to see if my heart is really in it.

[yankeeyosh]

I was looking into a PhD program in genetics in UCSD, UWash, UWisc, and some other places. Stipend was $21,000-28,000. I couldn't imagine having to work that hard nad pay that little. It is a bit of a shocker so I decided to wait it out a bit to see if my heart is really in it.

$21,000-$28,000 is damn, damn good for a stipend. Most people are thrilled with $15,000. What exactly were you looking for?

Remember, grad school is NOT a permanent job (although I guess after 2-3-4-5 years of this stuff it may feel like it). The main goal of grad school is not to make money, but to get an advanced degree, which will eventually pay off. All you need is enough to live on...nothing more. Even at UCSD and U-Wash, $21-28K should be sufficient.

[wordsmith]

I was thinking that was an outstanding stipend for a fellowship.

[indianajana]

While I was working on my masters, my stipend was $6,000 for a whole year.

I'm in a doctoral program now... while I work full-time in my field. I like doing it this way.... taking my time because I'm already working in the field in a great job, and I'm only 27 so what's the hurry? Financially it's not the easiest because I don't get help from my employer (not high ranking enough for help on a doctorate), and my salary's only 36K, but I make it work. I've been at it 2.5 years, and in the past year I've managed to buy my first house and buy a used Jeep Liberty. It's doable---yes, you can still get loans and grants for grad work!

[bmy78]

Indianajana, congrats on buying a house. I can't even fathom that idea at the moment.

May I ask what field are you earning your doctorate in? I would go for political science but I imagine the market for poli sci PhD's isn't very demanding.

I don't know, I'm currently in a post-bac teaching program and I like the idea of teaching secondary school kids but somehow I feel like I'm compromising, or taking a shortcut.