Prestige of PhD Program

Graduate School
1

<p>Hello All,</p>

<p>I work in an Allied Health Profession as a clinician and have a Master's Degree.</p>

<p>University #1: I received my bachelor's degree from a large, public, urban research institute (Division 1 School, ranked as a RU/H Research Institute by Carnegie, 20,000 UG/10,000 Grad students). It's a decent school, but they aren't very selective with their admits... they have a fairly high acceptance rate. While I had high ACT scores and very good GPA, and was admitted to many more prestigious schools, I ended up going there because of financials and a scholarship, as my parents weren't able to assist me with financials at all.</p>

<p>University #2: I earned my master's degree from a different school in a different state... also largeish, public, research institute. Also a Division 1 school and also ranked as RU/H research institute. It is slightly smaller at 15,000 UG/5000 Grad students. They are slightly more selective with admissions, accepting fewer students, but still not a regarded as an amazing or prestigious university. Once again, I had very good GRE scores and a very good undergrad GPA and did get in to some more prestigious schools, but I loved the campus at University #2 and the area and wanted to go there which swayed my decision, one I was very happy with. </p>

<p>After graduating with my master's degree I found employment immediately. I've been out 6 years and really desire to earn my PhD as I desire to be a researcher and professor.</p>

<p>However, I have some barriers in my way and factors to consider:</p>

<p>a) I am married. I am the breadwinner. Neither my husband nor I are too keen on me quitting my job altogether as I make triple what he makes (not saying we're rich... more trying to point out he doesn't make much and the job market SUCKS). I really love my job and I really don't want to quit right now either.</p>

<p>b) Locationwise, we are sort of stuck. My husband's parents live nearby and have poor health. We do feel staying put for several years is in our best interest.</p>

<p>c) The closest PhD program in my exact field is 2 hours away and they only accept full-time students.</p>

<p>d) We currently live about 1 hour from University #1 (my UG school). They do have many PhD programs; however, not one in my exact field. They do have a PhD in a related field (public health) which does accept part-time students. (my goal would be to attend part-time for a few years and then take a 2 year sabaticcal from work to focus on my disseration). I could still pursue research interests which relate to my field in this program based on the faculty's research interests. The program actually sounds interesting to me.</p>

<p>e) We could open up our options by relocating and my husband finding better work. However, the whole parent thing. We could also wait a few years til their issue is resolved (i.e. they pass away); however, I am in my late 20's. We don't have children yet, but we'd like to one day. Let's face it, my eggs won't last forever. If his parents don't pass on for five more years, and I first begin a program at that time, and I don't compelte it for another five after that.... let's just say it's not ideal (although a possibility).</p>

<p>f) Other than some sketchy online universities and weekend cohort type programs for PhD's in leadership, there aren't really any other options at this time in this area.</p>

<p>So my questions</p>

<p>1) Is it a bad idea to go to less prestigious university as described in University #1? I am worried about snobby PhD holders from more prestigious programs standing next to me as coworkers one day and looking down on me. Not to mention my own family members who have snobbery from their own PhDs at "public ivies." Now this is not a Univesity of Phoenix... just nothing special. I still believe I'll be challenged and they do receive a lot of applicants, but they're not a University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Wisconsin-Madison, or University of Georgia ilk state school. Just a plain, jane state school (albeit research-focused enough to have many PhD programs).</p>

<p>2) The program is fairly new. Is this a bad idea? The school is well established and there are other programs within the college which are well established, however, this particular program is new.</p>

<p>3) Is it a bad idea to go to the same school for UG and your PhD? Someone told me they look for diversity.</p>

<p>4) Is it a bad idea to get a PhD in a related field versus the field I actually work?</p>

<p>Any thoughts are appreciated!</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Oy. Sorry, OP, but you’ve got the kind of messy real-life realities that theory doesn’t deal well with.</p>

<p>IF you wish to do research and be a professor, you want to go to as good a PhD program as you can go to and the Devil take everything else. Look at where the PhD’s from your prospective programs are hired: that will tell you most of what you need to know. Look at “the middle,” i.e., the more typical, not the one or two flukes.</p>

<p>Quite of few older (past 25) PhD students suck it up and do the bi-location bit. One spouse stays with job/parents/whatever, they visit when they can, the other goes to the best program they can get into. You might not have the stomach for that and I would understand. But otherwise you are paying a huge opportunity cost; you could be waiting years for your husband’s job prospects to improve and his parents might be around for decades.</p>

<p>If you can get into a program that suits you, not just a cousin of what suits you, and it’s at a Wisconsin or Michigan, then vaya con Dios. The danger of not doing so is 30 years from now dealing with bitter-tinged “What if’s?”</p>

3

<p>d) We currently live about 1 hour from University #1 (my UG school). They do have many PhD programs; however, not one in my exact field. They do have a PhD in a related field (public health) which does accept part-time students. (my goal would be to attend part-time for a few years and then take a 2 year sabaticcal from work to focus on my disseration).</p>

<p>First of all, I want to note that if you are in nursing, a nursing PhD will get you FAR more jobs than a public health PhD. I am getting my PhD in public health, and when looking for jobs, there are TONS of nursing faculty positions. Everywhere. You’ll have a lot more location-based flexibility if you get a PhD in nursing than if you get one in public health.</p>

<p>Secondly, this is kind of backwards…when you are in your first 2-3 years, it’s much harder to go part-time due to all of the coursework, research, and the adjustment to graduate school. During your dissertation, it’s far easier to work part-time or even full-time. Many PhD students work part-time during their dissertation years and some even work full-time, especially if their job is related to the field.</p>

<p>If you are in your late 20s, you have plenty of time. I have a cohort mate who started her degree at 34. She had a healthy baby in her second year, and she’s still progressing. I know a LOT of graduate students who had babies during their PhD program, or who had children before starting.</p>

<p>But to answer your questions?</p>

<p>1) Depends on your field and what you plan to do. If you want to teach/do research in academia, then the prestige of your PhD program will be very important for getting hired. If you want to take your PhD back into your field and work, maybe eventually going into administration, then it’s not as important.</p>

<p>2) Not necessarily, although again it depends on what you want to do after you finish. Public health is a relatively new field and a lot of places are starting new programs. If it’s an established, well-known university, the chances of the program tanking are smaller.</p>

<p>3) It depends on who “they” are. Again, academia can be a political field and they are more likely to care. But if you want to go back into working at hospitals, clinics, or do research at community firms, it won’t matter as much.</p>

<p>4) This, again, is dependent on what you want to do. If your goal is research, it won’t matter that much, but like I said - just in case your allied health field is nursing, it will be much easier for you to get a nursing faculty position than one in public health.</p>

<p>Personally, I don’t think you should “settle” for a PhD program. You should only go when you are in a position to go to one that will be most advantageous for your desired career; otherwise, it’s a waste of time (and possibly money).</p>

4

<p>You’ve gotten great advice so far. You sound so motivated and I think the time to do this is now. Go to the better school with the program that is exactly what you are looking for. You and your husband can commute until he is able to join you.</p>

<p>Doing something like this will just get harder with the years. Once there are kids it might become impossible.</p>

5

<p>I would apply to the best full time program hoping to get full funding.
Quit your job, living away from your h.
You cannot wait for his parents’ health to take a turn for the worse…or worse.
You h may have to live with his parents so you can afford a place at school, unless you already own.
H may need to take on a second job to help make up the salary gap.
Everyone must sacrifice for the better of the family.
You can get a second job now to save up money for when you are in school.</p>

6

<p>

Bears repeating. Says succinctly what I was driving at. This isn’t the kind of decision where compromise may pay off, like having a slightly smaller home, a longer commute, or a more modest car. This is a major life-changing decision and needs to be treated as such: ruthlessly with an eye to the good that will eventually come from it.</p>

7

<p>Thanks all for your input. I do want to add a few points and address a few points that were made.</p>

<p>I did go ahead and look at where people were hired from. Most were big name schools; however, a few were lesser ranked, smaller programs. There were people in related fields. Even some with just a generic PhD in Education from one of those cohort programs I spoke of.</p>

<p>I’m not a nurse, so I wouldn’t qualify to get into a nursing PhD. Another specialized allied health area.</p>

<p>All the job postings I’ve found for professors in my field give the caveat “a PhD in the field, or a related field.” </p>

<p>One thing I noticed was that around 80% of the professors at the programs in my field in the surrounding states look to be in their 50s and 60s. We’ve been long hearing about a shortage of PhDs in our field. So, I kind of think I wouldn’t have trouble getting hired, especially that it appears as though there will be a massive retiring within the next 10 years.</p>

<p>That’s not to say I have a made a decision. I am considering all of your advice.</p>

<p>I might just have to face that this isn’t something doable for me. With the economy the way it is, it’s not practical for me to stop working. I know I could get funding and a stipend at many PhD programs if I go full time, but the stipend wouldn’t be much. My husband is supportive… up to a point. He doesn’t want to live separately. I can’t say I do either. He is willing to uproot and move; however, I love my current job and the clinical experience I’m getting is very unique in this setting which would be wonderful if I ever DID land a teaching job. I’m willing to commute, get 3 hours of sleep, give up my weekends, etc. But, we’re dependent on MY income, unfortunately and I just feel irresponsible and selfish. I also feel if we’re going to do it now is the time. </p>

<p>About the part-time. I have talked to a few program directors who told me that they would allow part-time coursework (i.e. taking 1 or 2 classes per semester) but when actually doing research, they’d want full-time students/researchers. So, that’s where I got my “backwards” idea from.</p>

<p>To describe the school I was referring to in #1 (Sorry, I’m being purposefully vague with exact universities and exact majors) I would compare it to Illinois State University (not University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign). A decent school but not the top public university in the state.</p>

<p>More thoughts?</p>

8

<p>Hi Sargechin,</p>

<p>It is a good idea to look forward to starting a PhD in your field. However, I strongly recommend that you take your time, do some research about the nature of a PhD program itself. The PhD is indeed different in many aspects from other degrees. It’s a marathon in itself where not every runner is guaranteed to cross the finish line. </p>

<p>Before you embark in this initiative, I strongly recommend that you quietly take your time and read the following documents available at the section “Resources” on the “PhD Candidate” page at Academic Joy. The URL is <a href=“http://■■■■■■/yQegxq[/url]”>http://■■■■■■/yQegxq&lt;/a&gt; :</p>

<ol>
<li><p>"So you want to do a PhD "
(Chapter 1 of "The Unwritten Rules of PhD research);</p></li>
<li><p>“How to Get a Ph.D.” </p></li>
<li><p>“Choosing Your Thesis or Dissertation Topic”</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I wish you success in your initiative.</p>

<p>All the best.</p>

<p>Visitor1234</p>

9

<p>Thanks all for your advice. My husband and I just learned that we are pregnant with a “surprise” baby. So, I guess I know what’s going to happen now! (Read: No PhD for me right now).</p>