MrPokeylope

Hello everybody, gonna rant a little bit but the TLDR is my advisor threatened to not let me get my PhD and I have a whole 2 years remaining, and my advisor is a very spiteful person. Mastering out and becoming a high school teacher (I love TAing and I've had experience with some pretty immature classes) sounds like a pretty comfy option now. Anyway... Advisor has become increasingly abusive since the pandemic and has watched students legitimately pass out from overworking with no concern. Has decided to resort to name calling and the past month won't even talk to me, delegates all communication through other students. I fear my advisor is the type of person who would spitefully withold a degree, even masters. After this semester I would have 10+ publications so far, the majority being first author. Advisor is deeply entrenched in department and university politics so would impossible to do anything about this. Is it worth risking 2 years of my life or should I just save my sanity, drop out, and pursue a job that pays little but I would probably love?

Another option is to see if they will allow you to drop-down to a M.S. at your current institution, that way you can save face and maybe take some extra classes in agronomy-related classes. Can I ask why you changed from being a chemistry major? Also what makes you interested in agronomy specifically, are you a biology nut? Asking these questions because I have a B.S. in chemistry and one in geology as well. I've looked at many different careers with the qualities you're looking for (lab, highly detailed, and with field work) and I'm wondering what interests you in the chemical world and more "natural world". Agronomy is a really cool choice, the culture around earth science is different than the rest of the sciences, if you have an interesting project idea or are able to articulate well your interest in the science you could easily develop a relationship with a potential advisor via email and get in a Master's program with minimal deficiencies.

Depends on the program. In general, it means you are on at least an unofficial waitlist, they don't want to drop you just yet but they don't have the slots for you. I know of some universities waiting until April 15th to send rejections while others are a little less insidious and are honestly trying to see if someone is rejecting their offer. One case I know is a guy who was accepted in early on but wasn't told until April because they forgot to tell him! Email professors and see where you are at, better to know now and at least show some interest in their program, that's how I just learned I am waitlisted at Baylor.