icthere Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Hi everyone -- I just finished reading this small book about a PhD student's experience at Stanford. It is very much different from other PhD-related writings in that it is not intended to provide grad school advice; the format is more like a story. For me, it was much more helpful in giving an inside-look into how things work in a PhD program, and I actually enjoyed reading it! Anyways, I liked it. Thought you might too You can read/download it here: http://pgbovine.net/PhD-memoir.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layofotak Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 I have been looking for similar books for a very long time, and this comes as THE book I'm looking for. I have read a similar book for a master student who also graduated from Stanford. I enjoyed that book very much and tried to find another one that talks about PhD. Thank you very much and I'm sure I'll like it. brb, printing time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelley Burian Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 I read a bit and really enjoyed it as well, especially the frank and personable writing style. What would be really great though is for a Humanities Ph.D. to write a companion book, as I am ALWAYS having to explain to other people who are only acquainted with science programs how different our programs are. Our first years ARE spent taking classes (and learning all of our necessary languages) and since papers are rarely collaborative, we're gradually coached to the point where we can present our own by ourselves, usually not before the third year. Having to go through all of that in the first year of a program sounds terrifying to me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icthere Posted July 27, 2012 Author Share Posted July 27, 2012 Although I am not in Humanities, I have always been curious to learn how things happen in a typical PhD program. I have noticed that the majority of these kind of writings are written by computer sciense people and as you said, some things which are the norm in engineering and sciences such as collaborative research papers are not so in Humanities. That said, I guess there are many experiences and many feelings, that all PhD students go through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinervasOwl Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 I enjoyed reading it even though I am heading to a social science program. Since I'm also moving to a new culture, I've been thinking of keeping a blog about my experience- don't know if I'll get the time though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoq Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 I have been looking for similar books for a very long time, and this comes as THE book I'm looking for. I have read a similar book for a master student who also graduated from Stanford. I enjoyed that book very much and tried to find another one that talks about PhD. Thank you very much and I'm sure I'll like it. brb, printing time Can you tell me how to find that other book that you mentioed about a master student at Stanford? Have you find any other related books? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tall Chai Latte Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 Thanks for sharing, this is a great little book! I read it last night and found the obstacles he described as an early-stage grad student very similar to my situation (getting stuck, floundering, living-in-a-black-hole feeling), it seems like it does get better -- which is a relief for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layofotak Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 Can you tell me how to find that other book that you mentioed about a master student at Stanford? Have you find any other related books? Here is the book: http://www.amazon.com/Snapshots-Hell-The-Making-MBA/dp/0446671177 I don't know about your major, be the book talks about the author's experience at the MBA program in Stanford. To answer your other questions, all other books I have come to find talk about what is PhD, explain the program, and give some advices. They are fine, but I was looking for story-based books. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imonedaful Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 Thanks for posting this. I read through most of the book (while being useless during my last week of work) and enjoyed it. It is interesting how the writer's first full year of being in a PHD program was not what he expected (difference between our ideals and how things work out in practice). Also, it was nice to know he spent his summer interning at different companies and away from the university. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandarin.orange Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I've been reading and enjoying this as well. Thanks for posting. The self-imposed isolation he described at the end of his first year was eerie to read - exactly the sort of idea that would strike me as a "good one" at the time, but would end up totally meandering and unproductive. I doubt I could sustain it for six weeks (!) like he did. A good cautionary tale about the benefits of getting out, taking initiative, and going to seminars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chasely Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 Just finished this last night. I skimmed through some of the parts where he was describing his programs since, as a non CompSci person, it was all greek to me. I'd generally recommend the memoir. It's a quick and easy read and gives a glimpse into the PhD life that (some) of us are just about to start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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