Can you do a PhD? no masters? Yes, it is possible to get a doctorate. without having a master’s degree.
If you wanted to do a doctorate, you would do your bachelor’s degree first, then your master’s degree, then apply for a doctorate
The depth and breadth of study for the doctorate
By during your training up to your doctorate, you have to learn a large number of subjects in a short time. Topics are covered quickly, sometimes not in detail, with little time to deepen your understanding. I can’t be the only one who had to effectively fight fires while in school and didn’t have much time to focus on and fully understand each subject before having to move on to the first one another.
Most PhDs will hopefully have acquired some level of knowledge from your previous degrees, but the pace of a PhD is undoubtedly much slower. The reality is that the scope of a PhD topic is quite limited, although it can often span different disciplines. Your project would usually include issues that you are not entirely happy with.
Video Interviews
Instead of more typical alumni interviews, some colleges (Notably Brown and UChicago) allow you to submit a short video instead. Like a traditional job interview, this video is designed to project your voice to admissions officers and let them know what’s important to you. If you are a committed speaker or think you will shine in an interview, or if you want to show off your videographer skills, this is a great option for you.
All videos submitted must meet the following technical specifications (see school website for current requirements: Brown, UChicago):
The appearance of the Despair
My interview with Das Erste was a nightmare. I put on an ill-fitting $75 suit with one of those heavy ties from the 90s and shoes that were a different shade of brown than my belt. I showed up and waited in the company lobby, going through a list of interview questions I pulled from the internet. I recited pre-recorded answers in my head and thought, “Okay, I’m ready for this test. I will get all the right answers. The receptionist called my name and led me back to a large office where three people were sitting. They started asking me basic questions and I answered like a robot. Then I waited for them to ask more questions. There was a lot of awkward silence, but I didn’t know why. I thought they had prepared more questions. Why were you waiting to talk to me? I somehow passed the interview and a week later I got a call with a really bad offer. The salary was almost double what I expected. But I took it anyway. Because I was desperate.
Starting a new career can be a confusing process, especially when industries are changing. The path is particularly challenging for PhD graduates looking to transition into business. Because the worlds of science and business are very different. It is also the case that most universities offer little or no professional training to doctoral students. As a result, modern graduate students who are retiring from academia are thrown into the business world without thinking about how to find it. You’ll get some networking tips and be encouraged to keep sending resumes. But nothing happened. In fact, less than 40% of doctoral students will find a job in a company at the end of their studies or shortly after. And less than 20% of life science graduates will have a corporate job after graduation. The truth is that most graduate students will never get a job in business, even if they do everything right. The problem is that they also do the wrong things. The key to starting a successful career in business is learning what not to do. Here are 5 things to avoid:
Where should I go?
If you want to do a PhD, you have to study at a fully funded institution (which often comes in exchange for a good research and teaching load). When you have thousands of people with Ph.D.’s, that’s a very questionable decision.
Your first objective is to get the best possible general training in research. So don’t choose your favorite city. And don’t choose schools based on a particular teacher or specialty. Look for places with breadth and excellence in all subfields. Apply as much as you can. Then, only after being approved, start narrowing down your options based on fit and overall quality. Visit wherever you are allowed to be sure it is the right place for you.