Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with doctoral

Best use of time before starting a Doctoral program?

Ufez Jones — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 13:41:54 -0800

So I got accepted to my doctoral program (vet med - yay!). Before it begins in August, how can I best use my time between now and then? Looking mainly for non-obvious stuff (work, save money, sleep, etc). Any other general tips for surviving the program would be gladly accepted.

PhD students: Where, when and how do you study?

FuckingAwesome — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 07:49:18 -0800

PhD students: Where, when and how do you study? Hi everyone, I've just started a PhD at the University of Greenwich London and am getting into the swing of things, trying to do put in 8 hours of work a day (9-6 or 11-8).

I am currently working from my girlfriends place and occasionally in the British Library as both are closer than my university library and I am in the process of moving.

I was wondering, out of interest, where other PhD students work? Also tell me a bit about your work routine / regime.

Cheers,

Doctoral comps - when where and how?

Mutant — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:01:28 -0800

Doctoral comps - when to sit? I'm a PhD (Finance) student attending a programme in Zurich. They run an American style programme and I'm sitting eight classes in two distinct phases. Just completing the first phase ("foundation"), I expect to finish my second phase ("specialization) in March 2012, then enter research. I should add that research is already underway as its one of my existing research interests, and they were made aware of this during the application and interview process.

I'm having a seriously great time in the programme overall, another "should have done this years ago" epiphany but I'm curious about comprehensive exams. This particular institution isn't requiring me to sit qualifications or generals, and will allow me to sit comps either immediately after completing classes, or shortly before I undertake my defense.

Some other students at my institution were offered the same choice (apparently its not universal, but depends upon the student) and I'm not sure how to play it. On one hand, some suggest getting the exams out of the way ASAP. I can see the value in that as it's one less thing to worry about.

But others mention doing it shortly before defense is preferable as chances of an unsuccessful outcome and having to retake are lower. The argument here goes if you attend and present at conferences (I am) and even get your work published (journal articles in progress with one of my profs) the institution has a bigger investment in you and you're unlikely to run afoul of something at comps.

At this particular institution comps take the form of a roughly half day panel discussion of your in class writings. At that point I'll have sat Phd eight classes, and probably submitted 40 written papers overall. Any and all of them are apparently fair game at comps.

What have you successful Doctorates done or what would you have preferred?

Should the book I edited advertise my Ph.D.?

Orinda — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:48:48 -0800

I'm editing a non-academic, non-fiction book to be published by a university library. Should the book advertise my Ph.D. credentials? If so, how? After finishing a Ph.D. in literature, I was commissioned by one of the libraries at the same university to edit some private papers of historical interest from their archives. The library is funding publication of the edited papers in a hard-bound book.

As the editor, I made selections from the papers to shape an engaging "story," edited the selected texts for length, and added footnotes and an introduction to explain the papers' historical context. This was not a work of scholarly editing; the primary goal was to produce something readable, almost novel-like, aimed at the school's alumni. I did, however, spend a lot of time researching historical details, striving to make the footnotes and intro informative and accurate. My doctoral research was not directly relevant to this project, but my academic background gave me some general research skills, and I'd like to think that my study of literature helped me shape an emotionally affecting, well-paced story out of the raw materials.

The book is essentially finished but I'm still wrestling with the question of whether and how to indicate in the book (or on the cover) that I have a Ph.D. On the one hand, the library director chose me to handle this (very expensive!) project in part because of my expertise, and the library perhaps deserves the cachet of showing off my credentials. The book is meant as something of a promotional piece for the library, and it might be to their advantage to show people "we got a Ph.D. to work on this." On the other hand, I personally do not want to come across as flaunting my advanced degree. It just seems kind of tacky.

As initially submitted to the printer, the cover and title page read "Edited by Orinda Adniro", no letters after the name. In the Foreword to the book, the library director referred to me as "Dr. Adniro," but the director told me to edit the foreword as I saw fit, and I changed the phrasing to "Ms. Adniro." (In general, I think only M.D.s should be called "Dr. So-and-so.") I don't know of any plans for an "about the author" blurb, which is where I would prefer to put information about my academic training.

So, right now the book contains no reference to my Ph.D., but I still have time to change that. Should I? Should the title page and cover read "Edited by Orinda Adniro, Ph.D."? Should the Foreword read "Dr. Adniro"? Is there somewhere else where a reference to my degree should be inserted?

Online doctoral programs?

Silvertree — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 09:04:48 -0800

Are there any accredited, credible, online doctoral programs? I have seen different MBA and other masters level programs. Are there any credible (as in someone from the field wouldn't laugh hysterically at you), accredited online doctoral programs in the USA? I don't care what field. If you think of something, go ahead and through it out. I am just asking out of curiosity.

I want to be a "doctor" when I grow up (which will be never)

blahtsk — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 10:29:25 -0800

I wannabe a doctor: What's the cheapest / easiest way to get an online "doctoral degree?" It'd be great if the "institution" it came from either sounded very prestigious (e.g. "stamford [sic] university"), or completely ridiculous.

Thanks hive mind.

I are a college student!....Now what?!?!

penguingrl — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 23:57:46 -0800

How should I map out my higher education plan to fully maximize my hiring potential? I have my Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a Master's in Early Childhood Education. I am currently tinkering with the idea of either getting another Master's in Education Administration OR a Ph.D in Elementary Education.

My argument for Education Administration is that it will allow me to be qualified for a Principal or Director position (I am currently a co-director), however, I am unsure how having two Master's degrees would look. I fear it would looks as if I changed my mind on the previous Master's I took. For the Ph.D in Elementary Education, I believe that, with my already existing Master's in Early Childhood Education (which only covers preschool through third grade), I can cover preschool through eight grade. This broadens what positions I can apply for, both preschools and elementary schools, not to mention I would be following the traditional route of bachelor's>master's>doctoral.

Currently, I am unclear as to which path is best. If any of you out there have experience in higher education or degree advisement, or just have a general opinion :), I would really appreciate any input! I would like my resume and experience to be as well-rounded and appealing as possible (and I am completely aware of the double-edge sword of being considered overqualified).

Science private defense

xm — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 21:27:08 -0800

If you gave your science PhD defense in the US, tell me all about it! 1. As a student, how did you survive it? Emotionally, lifestyle changes, preparation, everything! How long before the defense did you start the *preparation*? I am not sure I really know how to *prepare* for it, even though I have talked to a number of people. It just seems so very broad and vague that the prospect of having to go through it is scary.

2. If you are a faculty member, how did you survive yours? If you were on a committee as faculty, what makes the defense a success or failure (in terms of your expectations, not in terms of getting the degree)? And what are your expectations?

(Anecdotes of good/bad experiences are welcome!)

I have also noticed some faculty talk very critically (seemingly unfair to me) about some of the previously "good" students afterward. It's hard enough to navigate this without really knowing the expectations than also having to deal with the gossiping around as well. This makes the prospect of having to go through it even more unsettling.

3. Even though I mostly enjoy presenting, especially when a larger audience is present, I am very shy. Being grilled by six experts in a closed room for two hours is not something I look forward to (but I get excited about presenting to 150 or so strangers in a conference hall!). I also have short attention span/get bored easily. After the presentation, I just cant wait to get out. I know #3 is mostly mental/personality thing but it skews the whole perspective. I'd like to hear from anyone who had these problems and was able to get over it.

Thanks in advance!

Help my friend get into a Canadian political science PhD program on his second try.

thisjax — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 13:25:04 -0800

Help my friend get into a Canadian political science PhD program on his second try. [Some preamble notes from me to ensure that advice isn't too US-centric:
-Because we're talking about Canada, do keep in mind that doctoral social science programs (except for psych) here don't normally admit directly from undergrad, so it's normal for even strong applicants to specifically enroll in a Master's program first.
-Also, GRE scores aren't considered in admissions decisions for applicants with Canadian degrees.]

From my friend:
I'm soliciting some general advice on my current PhD situation. This year I applied for four political science programs here in Ontario. I was placed at the top of the waitlist for one (the waitlist was never used due to high yield) and rejected from the remaining three.

My master’s marks were stellar (top 3 out of our program of 40 people) and my recommendations were strong and from professors established in their fields. On the negative side, I did a master’s research paper instead of a full thesis, lacked research assistanceships, and had a couple crappy senior undergrad marks. Nothing critical, but definite disadvantages (and unchangeable at this point).

So I suppose I’m looking for general advice on how to approach re-applying next year. I am definitely set on doing a PhD, and my research directly fits in with a professor’s current project at the university that waitlisted me. However, I am not very clear on what would dramatically improve my qualifications (I’ve heard taking more classes or attempting to secure a non-student RA, though I’m skeptical of how good a use of time those efforts would be). Currently I’m relying on the fact that I have more breathing room to prepare my applications for next year (it was hectic last time), as well as to complete a writing submission that’s directly related to my research area [political economy].

Tips are welcome. Program budgets are going to be pretty crappy for the foreseeable future so I’d like to nail this next year.

What do you know of the online Ph.D. at CIIS?

jackypaper — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:22:51 -0800

Does anyone have any information and/or opinions about the Transformative Studies Ph.D. program at the California Institute of Integral Studies? Though the program at San Francisco's CIIS requires doctoral candidates to meet on campus twice a year, it is mostly conducted online (hence my natural suspicion). I can't seem to find any reviews or critiques of the program. Any insight and information is welcome.

Thanks!

How often can I expect to be on campus for my Ph.D. work?

jackypaper — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 14:28:00 -0800

I'm considering pursuing my doctoral degree in English, yet my university of choice is a two-hour drive from my home. I know it depends on the program, but on average, how often can I expect to be on campus? Twice a week? Once a week? Once a month?

Where isa list of colleges offering the DLS?

jackypaper — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 12:45:11 -0800

Where do I find information about universities like Georgetown that offer the DLS program, or Doctor of Liberal Studies? I hold an MLS (English) and am interested in more interdisciplinary research, but alas, Georgetown is too far away. Thanks!

OK to wear doctoral robes without a doctorate?

Flood — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 08:12:16 -0800

Is it OK to wear a doctoral robe at a High School graduation when you do not have a doctorate? I took a one year position at a small Catholic High School in the New York area.

At the recent graduation ceremony, the event program listed the Principal as having graduate from a certain university. This is a famous and prestigous Catholic university, with well known school colors, due to the university's famed sports program. The principal holds a master's degree from that university, the event program did mention what type of degree he holds.

The principal, however, did not wear a master's degree robe. He wore a doctoral robe, with the school colors of his university. To me, this made it appear that he had earned a doctorate from that university.

I was told that it was a "provost robe" - in other words, as the head of the school, he has a right to wear the fancy doctoral robes. I have never heard a "provost robes" - have you? Wouldn't a provost robe have the high school colors, not the school colors of his university.

All of the other faculty seem to think this is no big deal. It is, apparently just for the pageantry of the high school graduation. It is a small, tight-knit faculty. I am leaving the school soon, so it is not a very big deal to me either.

But, I still think that it is kind of wrong. Am I crazy? Are graduation robes no big deal? What do you think?