I want a Phd, now what?

I was interested to read this entire thread. I'm working on applications right now for a Ph.D. program in 2010. I went to the same school for both undergraduate and graduate school. I knew early in the process that I wanted to go on for doctoral study and research, but I had to work through both programs and was pretty burned out by the end of my master's. I'm now four years post-master's and have three years of practice under my belt. It has taken me that entire amount of time to get back to a place where I am ready to head back into the academic fray.

The GRE was a bit of a mental block more than an actual one. I studied for it for a long time, and I was so certain that the math would trip me up. But the studying really did improve my scores and while my analytical writing score wasn't I wanted (I still question the validity of those essays) my other scores were fine. So keep studying, this is a do-able test. (Hopefully I won't eat my own words by getting turned down from programs because of that analytical writing score!)

Also, finding programs that "fit" your research interest is sooooo important. I was a bit intimidated by the idea of contacting faculty and discussing this, but as I have talked with faculty, I have become more personally focused on my own research interests and what drives me. And at least one school that I thought I might apply to has dropped to the bottom of my list because of this issue.

So I have one application in and a few more to finish! I wish everyone who has commented on this and is thinking about applying luck, and for anyone lurking, if you're applying talk to me! I need support!

I definitely underscore the importance of a match of your research interests with those of the faculty who are eligible to be mentors to PhD students.

I enrolled in a PhD program that was geographically convenient to me. I completed the coursework with relative ease (an occasional A-). I also was fortunate to have the tuition fully covered. When I enrolled, there was no one in the general field that I wanted to focus my dissertation. My advisor encouraged me to hang tight and thought that someone in my subfield would be hired before I reached the dissertation stage. That did not happen.

Other faculty encouraged me to join their studies/subfields, but my heart was not in it. Personal issues (divorce, death of parent) arose, and I ended up dropping out of the PhD program.

I wish I had gone to a school where there was someone doing what I wanted study. Not only would I have had an effective mentor, but s/he would have guided me better, shared databases, and given me encouragement to develop as a scholar in the field that still interests me 15 years after I left my PhD program.

Don't be like me. Do not neglect the "fit"

Thank you for sharing your story, UVA Grad Nursing. I hope people read it and learn from it. My PhD experienced was mixed in that regard. My school was a great fit for its coursework and culture ... but I was most interested in a field that NO ONE in the country was paying much attention to. So, there was no school that was a perfect fit. My school had someone with interests related to mine, but we ended up with a major philosophical difference and my Committee Chair ended up kicking her off my committee because she just wasn't fitting with where I and the rest of my committee wanted to go.

So ... I graduated with no problems, but without the mentorship and "connections" in my field to pursue that direction. I have landed on my feet (as usual), but I often wonder how different my life/career would be if I had been fortunate enough to have a good mentor who could help me make that transition from PhD student to practicing scholar.

"Fit" is so much more important than some people give it credit for.

Did you ever go back to finish?

I just finished my RN to BSN at Nova. Part of the program was online and part was face to face. You're right - the school is very expensive. Due to my own experience with the school (not the main campus) I can say that I do not ever intend to pursue another degree there. The location where I was based was the single most unorganized group of mammals I believe I have ever come in contact with!

It sounds like your friend is having a far better experience; I'm glad to hear that! There may well be hope for Nova, however my experience left such a bad taste for me that I'll likely seek my highest degree elsewhere. I am not young either (50), and plan to start an MSN (ARNP) program in the spring. I'm thinking of going the education route if I decide to go for a PhD. By the time I'd even finish it I'd probably be 65 and would need to sit in a high chair to lecture...lol!

llg - thanks for the excellent advice to aec rn bsn - it is helpful to several of us!

Kathy