How to leave?

[adidasattack04]

Hello. I am looking for some advice on how to leave my program correctly. There are a lot things which have brought me to this decisions, and at the end of the day I realized that the graduate school and the academic path is not where I want to go. But I am unsure of how to leave my program properly. I really like the people I am working with and my PI is very respectful and great. She does expect a lot, but in a way that never made me feel bad to be doing. The program has put a lot of time and money into me at this point without much turnout. I am only in my second semester. This makes me feel bad about leaving, but it took me coming to graduate school to realize it.

 

How do I inform my program, PI, and peers? I would rather not burn any bridges. Also I am not sure if I should finish off my classes this semester of just leave. I have thought about finishing this semester and/or take my cummalative exam in the summer. I am goal driven and this would make me feel like I "finished" something. But if I am leaving, this seems also seems like a waste of time.

 

Any advice, stories, thoughts, or 2 cents would be appreciate. (I am a grad student currently; 2 cents is worth a lot.)

[Chasely]

I'm assuming that your getting out with your MS? A PhD isn't for everyone and I'm pretty sure your PI knows that. Explain your situation and your decision to your PI and department first, then your peers. The sooner the better so that they can make alternate plans.

 

You should have a plan in place though for your departure since you never know how someone might react to the news. I'd imagine this isn't the first or last time that your PI will have seen this happen.

[fossilchick]

Some questions you should ask yourself before you approach the PI:

 

-How dependent will you be on department members for letters of recommendation? 

-Is there a significant financial benefit to leaving mid-semester?  Will you be leaving someone in the lurch by quitting immediately?

-Is there a career benefit to taking cumulative exams? 

 

Assuming all things equal, I think quitting mid-semester is probably not the best option for preserving your relationships with the faculty, especially if you're working in a lab or are a TA.  Unless there is a pressing reason that requires you to leave immediately, I would plan on finishing the semester.  You also need to investigate your university's policies regarding leaves and withdrawal, not just the department's.  I've heard and seen firsthand some horror stories of people leaving mid-semester and owing substantial amounts of money in fees and other costs because the universities had policies in place to keep people from abandoning work during the term.  If you school has a centralized graduate school or graduate office, a visit there might be in order.

 

The Chronicle of Higher Ed has some good threads on this very topic, that I recommend you take a look at.  There's lots of good advice on approaching the PI and formulating a non-academic plan to present as part of the reason you're leaving.  Good luck.

[ELM616]

If you leave midsemester for no other reason than "you dont feel like doing it anymore," then consider all bridges burnt.

 

I suggest finishing out the year, and making a solid attempt at the comps. If you fail the comps they will help you transition out of the program with dignity.

[misskira]

Awhile you feel resolved today, there's no saying what you will be doing in 5, 10, 15 years. Leaving mid semester will leave you with all failing grades, essentially tanking your graduate gpa. It would be difficult to return to any school/program with that record. For that reason at least, I would recommend finishing the term. As for the rest, talk to the graduate school for advice on how to leave professionally.

[adidasattack04]

You guys all hold valid points. Glad I asked. I will just gut out the rest of the semester. But I will also make it clear to my PI and program that I am unhappy now. Assuming there will be a couple of tough conversations coming my way. I think this will go one of two ways, either make my decision easy, or give my program a fair chance to improve. Thank you for the advice.

[juilletmercredi]

I would also stay until the end, but I don't see the point of comps if you don't want to finish the program unless you have to pass comps to get the MA.  Just finish out the semester, and I would say talk to your PI now to let them know that you don't want to finish.