<p>Hey everybody,</p>
<p>I'm currently a senior in Mechanical Engineering. I applied for the PhD program here at Oregon State University and got accepted. I want to do PhD because I would like to do research in the future, and maybe even teach in a University at some point in my life. I'm not doing the doctoral degree for prestige, I'm doing it because I want to and I love to learn about my field as much as possible.</p>
<p>Lately I've been doubting my ability to do well in PhD because I do not consider myself a genius. I'm only a good student, but very persistent. </p>
<p>I just would like to know if it is possible to succeed in PhD if I just stick with it and work hard? Also, what are the most difficult moments during PhD, and how do you overcome them?</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>You don’t need to be a genius to get a PhD. What you do need is a good work ethic, time management skills and some degree of passion for your field. You can’t be a C student and succeed, but you don’t need to be a 4.0 student either.</p>
<p>By the way, did you also do your undergradute work at Oregon State? If so, I strongly recommend going elsewhere for your PhD. It is really a bad idea to get all of your degrees from the same institution, particularly when it comes to getting faculty positions down the road.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. I’m a B+ / A- student. Hopefully that will be enough.</p>
<p>I did my undergrad at Oregon State. The thing is I’m an international student here, and Ill be going back home after I’m done with School, so I think its fine if I get my PhD from here as well. I did apply to different places such is University of Washington @ Seattle(for MSc), but here I got the best offer (my tuition fees will be waived).</p>
<p>Are you also getting a decent stipend (over 20k)? If not you might want to wait a year or apply to some rolling admission programs. It is pretty bad idea to accept a Ph.D. in engineering position offer without a stipend. I think going to a new school would be a great way to expand your horizons and your intellectual circle as well, I agree with the above poster.</p>
<p>I don’t know Oregon state personally, but do they have the resources and ability for you to really shine and do the research you want? Rankings are not everything, but typically a top 25ish program is huge, with lots of funding, and top tier resources and labs. Have you ever visited one? You will be blown away, or at least I was coming from a smaller undergrad focused engineering program.</p>
<p>Where you get your Ph.D. from isn’t as important for the name, but the experience. Just some things to think about, because you sound dedicated, and you should get the best experience possible!</p>