11:31 Late Monday Morning (8 March 2010)

Skipping Class, Pondering Life

To PhD or not to PhD, that is the question.

Probably to PhD, but...am I ready for that kind of commitment?

Can I really finish in 5 years?

Will I do good enough research?

Will I have enough motivation?

About 5 days ago, my major professor and I had a chat. He asked me to seriously consider doing a PhD instead of a Master's degree.

He asked me last summer before I started grad school, and I was like no way jose! but now he's bugging me about it again and i'm starting to think it would be a good thing more than a bad thing.

But still...can I do it?

ugh ugh ugh i don't know what to do...I thought I was through with this decision-affecting-major-life-choices-making crap until I was done with my Masters!

Pros:

Get the PhD now, ultimately less time in school than if I did a Master's and then a PhD.

If I do a PhD now, I won't have to try to decide whether or not to do a PhD later.

I would be a doctor.

I could get some really great publications and get really in-depth in my research.

I could tell people I'm a PhD student instead of a Master's student, and feel that much special-er.

A PhD would really boost my earning potential later on.

More time in our house means more equity and potentially an increase in property value when we sell.

Cons:

PhD programs are hard and long.

Despite being different departments, getting your Bachelors and PhD from the same uni tends to be frowned upon.

Caleb will finish at least a year before I do, which means at least another year in the Valley.

I want to have a kid before I'm 30 and this might inhibit that goal.

What if I fail?