triceratops

Thanks everyone for your help. The B was "forgiven", especially because I did well on a comp with the same subject matter. The prof who issued the B (not in my department), was not helpful in the least. The real reason I was thinking of leaving is because I got an A- in a course that I had already taken (and gotten an A- in the first time!) Granted, it is a difficult course (advanced graduate level ancient Greek), but I know I improved from last time. Off to speak to the prof about this one. No, I don't think profs should give a student an A just for retaking a course. Also, I respect a professor's decision since they have had many years of evaluating students. Still, I thought I slam dunked this one. Major disillusionment. Oh well, organic metabolite disposal happens. Thanks for hearing me out.

All right, usual sob story here. After a rockin' masters (3.94 or something), I got a B in the first year of PhD :-( The comps went really well, though, and vindicated the B class somewhat with two great papers on the same subject matter. A B, two A's and two A-'s later, I'm thinking that any job search team will choke on their donuts after viewing my transcript. Why not pack it up? I'm a good amateur linux programmer, maybe that'll get me somewhere. I don't play instruments, so busking is sorta out of the question :-( I don't do clown birthday parties either :-( Is there a subforum or other forum for people who've realized halfway through their PhD that they just not going to make it on the job market? I'd like to hear from those who packed it up, are able to manage their debts without gambling or money laundering, and have found something else interesting to do. I just don't see the point in finishing if I'm going to be a weak candidate.