First semester in engineering PhD program, bombing it

[dungheap]

So, I got my wish, got into a nice engineering PhD program. My adivsor has turned out to be one of the biggest asses I've met, there's no way I'm going to continue working with this person, especially for 4-5 years.

 

I have some other things going on in my life which make the decision to continue with another advisor not as appealing. I'm considering just switching to an MS program in the same or different department.

 

I don't want to blame anyone but myself, but my energy, drive and focus were essentially sapped by having such a bad experience, wasn't paid for the first two months, still haven't gotten an office, have no other people to work with, and a negative advisor...long story short, my grades will not be that great at the end of this semester. Probably getting Cs and Bs.

 

I wonder how much this will really hurt me down the line, not that now is a good time to ask, but I'm curious from people's experiences if this will have much an adverse effect on my academic career.

 

I plan to also take my MS if/when I get it, and from whatever dept. I choose from (thinking CS), use it for my own business, perhaps get a job, or go to another PhD program.

Edited December 10, 2013 by dungheap

[Lisa44201]

Check your department's Grad Student Handbook (or whatever it's called there). Different schools have different policies about grades; I attended a University where two C's meant an automatic dismissal. It may hurt you in the future, especially applying to a different program entirely - they'll want to see your proven track record in grad school, which is less than stellar. If you haven't taken them already, work like hell to ace your finals - points are points at this stage. Should you be placed on academic probation, you might be able to plead the case that the lack of pay put enough of a financial strain on you that it had an effect on your grades (unless you were told that you wouldn't be paid for two months). I understand your reasons for wanting to leave the program, but you need to figure out how to bow out gracefully. Good luck to you.

[Loric]

Yeah, I did the "tell those people to suck it" thing.. it feels great for a few weeks... ok a few years.. but later on you'll regret it.

 

Look into maybe a transfer or some sort of graceful opt-out. All else fails, if on "probation" go take whatever ridiculous electives you want (glass blowing! I reget not taking glass blowing!) to survive another semester but being outside the department. You often can technically do that, as the department can't just drop kick you out of the school per the guidelines.

Edited December 12, 2013 by Loric

[dungheap]

Thanks for your replies, I guess I just hear all these horror stories about getting a C and then you should consider leaving...I'd love to not get any Cs but I probably will. I don't want a career in academia, so I'm wondering if this is as bad a thing as people make it out to be. I'd also like to add that I haven't been in school for many years now and coming back was definitely a challenge in itself.

 

Anyways, I'm trying to keep all my options open - and just curious if people have had a similar experience and what the outcome was.