<p>Suppose that I will get PhD in Bio from Stanford by taking 5 yrs or from Oxford by taking 3 yrs. I know that these PhDs are regarded with equal value partly because these schools have almost equal strength in their bio program. Why does American one take two extra years? If these PhDs are equally regarded, what is the merit of doing PhD in U.S. over in U.K.? Graduating two years earlier seems fairly attractive to me, since I want to be a professional scientist as soon as possible. Though I'm not sure if this is a rational action, many British scientists got their PhD at the age about 4 yrs younger than that of American counterparts, if I assume that it takes about 5 yrs to finish PhD course in the U.S.. If a student in U.K. decides to skip MS, then he/she can even shorten his years by one. </p>
<p>4 yrs are fairly big difference for we young people. If I will be successful enough, I can probably get a post of assistant professor after doing postdoc for 2~3 yrs. Does it mean that I can probably be an assistant professor at the age of 27~28? Is it true even if I will move to the US after getting my PhD in UK? It sounds to good to be true.</p>
<p>American PhDs take longer because you have to spend the first couple of years taking classes, doing a lot of pointless coursework and fulfilling teaching requirements. I think you also have to take an exam before you’re even allowed to start writing your thesis. Often US PhD students lack basic skills and subject knowledge which inevitably slows the process down. A good example, I know someone who is doing a PhD in medieval history in the States; she had never studied Old French, Anglo-Saxon or Old Norse before so she is having to learn these languages before she can begin researching. In the UK a PhD student would be expected to have learnt these languages as an undergraduate. For anyone who did their BA/BSc in the UK, I imagine doing a PhD in the US would be quite tedious and frustrating.</p>
<p>That aside, you aren’t even in college yet and you’re thinking ahead to your postdoc years!? You are being silly.</p>
<p>I didn’t expect that US curriculum was so inconstant that it would even make the student unprepared for PhD course. Your example is great, and I think it’s inevitable for British students to regard American PhD course tedious and lengthy. I would be happy if someone could also provide his/her experience in American PhD course. </p>
<p>Yeah, I’m not in college yet, but it’s fairly important for me to know how early I can become a professional researcher, since it may affect my family’s finance. I couldn’t prepare for college admission earlier than others, so I want to be prepared for grad school admission, so that I can go to the best school of my choice.</p>