Hi everyone- i am new here but have read through so many posts already that i figured its time to start my own question. i would appreciate any advice!
i am interested in pursing a clinical psych phd. i am a good candidate but that is not what i am worried about. i have been researching the funding options and cost of living in other cities, and i am just skeptical that i could really live off the stipend in a new city for 5-7 years for a few reasons:
-i would be far away from my family and friends, so travel costs would be limited
-i have always worked on the side to earn extra money and am used to having money to spend, but it doesnt seem possible while getting phd
other reasons that i make me doubt the phd route are financial as well...
-when i am out of the program, i will be in my early 30s with no income and who knows if i will be married or have kids by then...
-getting a phd and not working all those years means losing out on income
i am just in a dilemma because the work that i want to do and what i have my heart set on requires me to go get a phd. recently, i have been playing with the idea of getting a masters. however...
-it is expensive
-i dont want to appear "flakey" to my advisor and letter writers by switching to a new degree track
i am just worried that i wont be able to survive financially getting a phd and its hard because it is really what i want to do. plus, the possibility of starting a family is super important to me, and it appears that most of the people giving me advice do not have the same perspective as i do on this topic.
i am sorry for the rant but i am stressed!
what did you do to consider your degree/financial options?
did you go to grad school and then get married / have kids while still getting a phd?
did you get advice from your advisor about a similar situation? what was it?
thanks for all the help i can get!