People's perception

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

i think the quality of your contribution will stand out more than the name of your school.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

Well if you are that worried about it, find a more prestigious school to attend. Sounds pretty petty to me, but if its that important to you - get'er done!

I suppose you are right. I think the prestige is just an excuse.

It just seems like a big step. I always image PhDs as some amazing thing, not something I can actually do.

 

[IonSQL 10+ year member]

i think the quality of your contribution will stand out more than the name of your school.

Very nicely said.

Go for it Josh... otherwise you will possibly be looking back in 10 years going "If I had just...." //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/graduate.gif.d982460be9f153bb54e5d4cb744f6ae8.gif

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

I suppose you are right. I think the prestige is just an excuse.
It just seems like a big step. I always image PhDs as some amazing thing, not something I can actually do.

I know what you mean, its a pretty daunting thought that conjures up foreboding images of failure and disappointment, but all you can do is try.

Look at it this way, even if you try and don't finish you will have found out. That is a lot more than most people do. Most people don't even finish their undergrad.

You plan on working full time, or quitting and working on it full time?

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

I know what you mean, its a pretty daunting thought that conjures up foreboding images of failure and disappointment, but all you can do is try.
Look at it this way, even if you try and don't finish you will have found out. That is a lot more than most people do. Most people don't even finish their undergrad.

You plan on working full time, or quitting and working on it full time?

Thanks for all the sincere and thoughtful comments. I figure I should atleast try to pursue it. I would rather fail than regret.

The classes are at night so I have options.

In either case, I will quit Lowe's.

I can either

a) Quit the DoD job, work with a professor and teach micro/macro.

I get full tutition and 14k annual stipend

b) Continue working where I am at and take classes at night. This puts in me in a good postion to get my MBA after the PhD. (Then I will have to worry about a thesis)

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

Thanks for all the sincere and thoughtful comments. I figure I should atleast try to pursue it. I would rather fail than regret.
The classes are at night so I have options.

In either case, I will quit Lowe's.

I can either

a) Quit the DoD job, work with a professor and teach micro/macro.

I get full tutition and 14k annual stipend

b) Continue working where I am at and take classes at night. This puts in me in a good postion to get my MBA after the PhD. (Then I will have to worry about a thesis)

Were you already offered an assistanceship? If you were and don't take it you are a fool and you should probably just kill yourself. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

That is why I'm doing what i am in my undergrad (advanced methods/theory work and research project credits) in the hopes that i can land an assistanceship.

 

[donpisto 5,000+ posts]

Speaking to a Director in our department in the city, I asked him about getting my masters. I asked for recommendations and he told me it really doesn't matter where you get it, as long as you have it. The school you get it from only has some minimal effect. For example, the majority of the council members and a few of the big shots in the city i work for graduated from USC. If I were to graduate with a master's from there it may stick in their mind as far as the alumni thing goes. they know the program, they know what it takes to get through it, and based on how well you did it can give a general idea of your capabilities. But say if I go to a state university I still have my Master's and its shows i took the time to educate myself further, thus dedication, so its a win win situation no matter where you get your PhD from. You could always talk to your parents and working out some sort of deal if you don't want to move out yet.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

Were you already offered an assistanceship? If you were and don't take it you are a fool and you should probably just kill yourself. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif
That is why I'm doing what i am in my undergrad (advanced methods/theory work and research project credits) in the hopes that i can land an assistanceship.

You would say the assistanceship > DoD work experience + MBA?

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

It seems like a pretty big compliment if you haven't even taken the GRE and were offered a full time teaching assistanceship. A lot of programs i have looked at offer .25 time assistanceships for most first year students (if anything).

Other programs (the really competitive ones) admit only the number of people they can offer an assistanceship to.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

It seems like a pretty big compliment if you haven't even taken the GRE and were offered a full time teaching assistanceship. A lot of programs i have looked at offer .25 time assistanceships for most first year students (if anything).
Other programs (the really competitive ones) admit only the number of people they can offer an assistanceship to.

No. I would not be teaching full time. Maybe 1 class in the summer after my 1st year. Most of the time I will be a TA, helping students after class, conducting study sessions, providing extra help and so on and so forth. I think it will be more grunt work than actual classroom time.

I went got my undergrad here so they know my stats. I only have to get an 1100 on the GRE and I have a Colonel, State Representative, and a professor to write my letters.

Plus, there is little demand. Very few people apply for the program and most are on student visas. I really respect the faculty though. Some have a pretty good pedigree but they teach at MTSU for the flexibility.

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

You would say the assistanceship > DoD work experience + MBA?

I know it certainly would for me, but it's a pretty individualized choice IMO.

If you enjoy learning and research and would like to try to work in academia as a career it sounds ideal. I mean if you would enjoy the challenge/academic setting and are able to pretty much fully immerse yourself in it to the exception of everything else (DoD and work in general) i say go for it. But it seems like this would be the least financially rewarding of the two options. I guess it depends on how heavily monetary rewards are weighted.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

I know it certainly would for me, but it's a pretty individualized choice IMO.

If you enjoy learning and research and would like to try to work in academia as a career it sounds ideal. I mean if you would enjoy the challenge/academic setting and are able to pretty much fully immerse yourself in it to the exception of everything else (DoD and work in general) i say go for it. But it seems like this would be the least financially rewarding of the two options. I guess it depends on how heavily monetary rewards are weighted.

It isn't a money making deal either way. Your comments are interesting, however it would take a substantial lifestyle change to live off 14k. However, the connections I would make would be priceless.

 

[Hydrastas 10+ year member]

i got a phd at my local ymca, i don't feel much about it

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

It isn't a money making deal either way. Your comments are interesting, however it would take a substantial lifestyle change to live off 14k. However, the connections I would make would be priceless.

Indeed. You could work a little.. maybe quit DoD and keep lowes (if they are flexible and will let you work minimal hours of your choosing).

I have no idea and have been meaning to ask, can you still get loans if you are offered an assistanceship?

a 14K stipend for a .25 aid assistanceship seems great, i cant believe they don't have more applicants to the program. Are you sure 14K isn't like a .5 or .75 time assistanceship salary?

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

I just don't see getting a PhD as a part time deal.. i think it would require a total commitment (or as close as possible) to get it done in under a decade. To me it would be worth a sacrifice now in order to finish before i was 40.