exexec · 70-79, C
GerOttman · 61-69, M
I've known a few people who have a PhD as well as a few actual physicians, I don't think they are any kind of super smarter than anyone else. The main attribute I see is they demonstrate the ability to focus and put in the work needed to complete the task. An attribute that I myself sadly lack... I have also noticed that by and large, it's the nurses that tend to be super-smart.
SomeMichGuy · M
I have no idea how the expense side will play out in the US.
Traditionally, a lot of grad school cost was helped with financial aid, often including being a TA for undergrad courses, etc. In STEM areas, there was often money to get this paid for.
The real "bar" for the individual is to make an original contribution to knowledge, which is actually a bit of a hurdle, but controlled by the local faculty.
That depends upon the research "question" on which you set out to work. A good advisor helps his/her students to select good questions (often arising through that professor's own work).
So, in this VERY special apprenticeship, the PhD advisor is actually quite crucial;
Traditionally, a lot of grad school cost was helped with financial aid, often including being a TA for undergrad courses, etc. In STEM areas, there was often money to get this paid for.
The real "bar" for the individual is to make an original contribution to knowledge, which is actually a bit of a hurdle, but controlled by the local faculty.
That depends upon the research "question" on which you set out to work. A good advisor helps his/her students to select good questions (often arising through that professor's own work).
So, in this VERY special apprenticeship, the PhD advisor is actually quite crucial;
SO DO GET VERY FAMILIAR
WITH RESEARCH IN YOUR AREA,
AND RESEARCH THE RESEARCHERS
TO TRY TO SELECT A GREAT ADVISOR
AT A GOOD SCHOOL FOR YOUR AREA.
WITH RESEARCH IN YOUR AREA,
AND RESEARCH THE RESEARCHERS
TO TRY TO SELECT A GREAT ADVISOR
AT A GOOD SCHOOL FOR YOUR AREA.
Sandcastler · 26-30, M
It depends a little on the field, but generally once you are finishing up your undergrad and you have an interest in doing something a little more hardcore in a topic you enjoy, then it's just a matter of applying to some masters programmes and paying the (usually very high) tuition fees. (this is for europe btw). Universities make a lot of money from masters students so they are eager to take on a lot of them, which means as long as you enjoy the topic, have the money to pay for it, and you're prepared to spend 1-2 years of your life basically just studying and nothing else, then it's not too difficult to get into a master's programme and graduate.
A PhD is a different story. Finding a PhD is very much not a meritocracy, you have to network well with researchers at your masters university or somehow have a good correspondence with a researcher somewhere else. They have to LIKE you as a person, because they have to mentor you and put up with you for 3-6 years. For the most part, a PhD student will be doing a lot of the less interesting work related to the research of their supervisor. This is usually the grind-y work that the supervisor needs done but doesn't want to do. It's like an internship but with more prestige. Sometimes you'll get resources to do your own work on the side, sometimes not.
Intelligence is important for this process, but I would say it's more about persistence and sacrifice then just being clever.
A PhD is a different story. Finding a PhD is very much not a meritocracy, you have to network well with researchers at your masters university or somehow have a good correspondence with a researcher somewhere else. They have to LIKE you as a person, because they have to mentor you and put up with you for 3-6 years. For the most part, a PhD student will be doing a lot of the less interesting work related to the research of their supervisor. This is usually the grind-y work that the supervisor needs done but doesn't want to do. It's like an internship but with more prestige. Sometimes you'll get resources to do your own work on the side, sometimes not.
Intelligence is important for this process, but I would say it's more about persistence and sacrifice then just being clever.
acpguy · C
@Sandcastler I bet you are a liberal or socialist.
Sandcastler · 26-30, M
@acpguy in which country?
DealingWithTrouble · 41-45, M
It depends a lot on the program.
I'd say it's less about being "super smart" and more about learning proper research methods and being able to apply them.
If you're doing a PhD a lot of schools will usually offer some TA work or research assistant work to help with the costs, but that varies a lot as well.
I'd say it's less about being "super smart" and more about learning proper research methods and being able to apply them.
If you're doing a PhD a lot of schools will usually offer some TA work or research assistant work to help with the costs, but that varies a lot as well.
JPWhoo · 36-40, M
I didn’t last very long in grad school. My impression is that it’s not really about how smart you are, it’s more about your organizational skills, your research skills, your ability to focus on reading a whole helluva lot of dry content and then write papers way longer than anything you wrote in undergrad, your executive functions (general ability to just get stuff done), and how hard you’re willing to work at it. That kind of thing.
HowtoDestroyAngels · 46-50, M
I've got 8 credit hours left to go on my masters that I never finished, but I'm thinking about it and then getting my PhD afterwards. I'm sure it will cost me an arm and a leg, but I just want to be able to say that I did it, even if I'm not doing anything with my BA anymore.
4meAndyou · F
"You don’t need to be a genius to do a PhD.
In fact, PhDs aren’t particularly difficult in the way we think about school exams or university coursework. What you need instead is determination, a decent work ethic, and the ability to show up consistently—even on days when you’d rather do anything else."
https://www.thesavvyscientist.com/phd-intelligence-myth/
In fact, PhDs aren’t particularly difficult in the way we think about school exams or university coursework. What you need instead is determination, a decent work ethic, and the ability to show up consistently—even on days when you’d rather do anything else."
https://www.thesavvyscientist.com/phd-intelligence-myth/
ViciDraco · 41-45, M
In the US pretty much any college is expensive these days. I think a lot of people can get by as just clever-ish. Depends on the exact degree though. Sometimes people you might think need to be super smart, aren't really all the brightest. But its going to be a lot of work.
HowtoDestroyAngels · 46-50, M
@ViciDraco That's the truth. You got it buddy.
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MissyChrissy · 18-21, F
Can you answer my private message please?
If you didnt get it maybe it went to the requests folder next to your inbox.
If you didnt get it maybe it went to the requests folder next to your inbox.
MissyChrissy · 18-21, F
Please?
4meAndyou · F
@Patriot96 My father and brother were both PHD's and my father was very intelligent, but I would not have called him a genius by any means, so I agree with you there.
His major was Geography, with a minor in history. My mother used to type his thesis on an old fashioned typewriter. I still remember her typing. I used to call the thesis my father's "Teethis"...and I used to tell people that he had two white Teethis, and two yellow Teethis...🤣🤣🤣 I was NOT the genius of the family...🤣🤣🤣
He managed to get his doctorate AFTER service in WWII AND the Korean War, WHILE working! All paid for by the G.I. Bill!
Now, my brother WAS very close to genius level...with a photographic memory. He was valedictorian of his high school class, and was accepted to Harvard, but didn't attend. He got full scholarships to Boston College, and then Indiana State University, which had a fabulous Paleontology department. His major had a great deal to do with memorization...and field work!
He taught for 40 years at Michigan State. He became a professor of Paleontology. College professors are forced to publish almost constantly to obtain tenure, and a LOT of my brother's publications are online!
His major was Geography, with a minor in history. My mother used to type his thesis on an old fashioned typewriter. I still remember her typing. I used to call the thesis my father's "Teethis"...and I used to tell people that he had two white Teethis, and two yellow Teethis...🤣🤣🤣 I was NOT the genius of the family...🤣🤣🤣
He managed to get his doctorate AFTER service in WWII AND the Korean War, WHILE working! All paid for by the G.I. Bill!
Now, my brother WAS very close to genius level...with a photographic memory. He was valedictorian of his high school class, and was accepted to Harvard, but didn't attend. He got full scholarships to Boston College, and then Indiana State University, which had a fabulous Paleontology department. His major had a great deal to do with memorization...and field work!
He taught for 40 years at Michigan State. He became a professor of Paleontology. College professors are forced to publish almost constantly to obtain tenure, and a LOT of my brother's publications are online!
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
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IloveLucy · 22-25, F
Depends on the subject. PHD programs usually are free but lots of work.
YoMomma ·
It’s expensive.. some more do than others .. the smarter you are the easier it is for some anyway