Shall I do a PhD?

[random_guy]

I have gained admission to a PhD program, had my proposal cleared and am set to start in early 2011. However, part of me is non-committal. I feel 4 years is a long time, and on occassion doubt my motivation.

At other times, I am really hyped over the whole thing and looking forward to it.

I would be self funded, so incuring further debt is a concern, but nothing gambled nothing won, right?

Advice please!

[rachaelski]

Does the program have a master's degree as well? If so, after a year or so you could decide between PhD or MA. The self-funded PhD...are there eventual opportunities for funding or is it self-funded throughout?

[random_guy]

I already have a MA.

[random_guy]

One imagines funding oneself throughout through a combination of work, loans, overdrafts, family and hussling.

[newms]

I don't feel like I'm in a position to give you advice, being a wannabe grad student and not having been through a Master's program like you. Having said that, it really depends on you. I've read that it's natural to have up and downs in considering spending years of your life pursuing a PhD and that's when its funded - you would have to take on debt to pursue the PhD. The way I see it there are 2 ways to analyse the situation:

1) Do a financial cost/benefit analysis. Would the debt you incur in 4 years be worth the extra salary of having a PhD?

2) At the end of the day, how much do you really want a PhD? Would the PhD lead to a career that you want to pursue? Could you see yourself happy without going down the route of getting the PhD? Is it important to what you want to do with your life?

I hope this helps you make your decision.

[adaptations]

I think it is important to think about why you want to get a PhD in the first place. If you want to become a professor and spend your life in academia - enjoying the combination of research, teaching, advising, etc, then a PhD seems to be the right track. If you are looking to a get a PhD for other reasons, then I think there is more to consider. Many jobs outside of academia do not require a PhD, and thus you can work your way up without investing your time and money on earning your doctorate. I would hope you are committed and confident that you want to invest in getting your PhD, because it is certainly a major decision - and even bigger when you are paying your own way. I'd say this is something you should probably discuss with those who know you best, and do some serious introspection to see if this is the right path for you. Either way - best of luck.

[random_guy]

One option is the MPhil. 18 months, half debt incurred and a higher degree then the MA. Is it worth it?

I really want to work in Public Affairs/Lobbying, London or Washington.

Edited September 2, 2010 by random_guy

[Hwa]

No!

[Thanks4Downvoting]

No!

Ah, simple, but truthful

[XOwlfan]

If you'd like to work in politics/lobbying, the MPhil may be a better idea. I noticed that you listed an MDiv as your masters--an MPhil may grant you some credibility in non-religious sectors. My husband as a degree in theology and it hasn't always worked in his favor when it came to getting a job. Also, depending on where your MPhil program is, you may develop an important community of contacts. In politics, "who" you know can be more important than what your credentials are.