Quote:
Originally Posted by bertthepuppy
This may be a stretch but the prof. I was an RA for once told me that some foreigners start econ Ph.D.s in the U.S. because they want to have children that are U.S. citizens. They are smart and talented enough to complete the Ph.D., but they don't desire it. I was surprised by this hypothesis, but it could be true.
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I am surprised as you, but i still think these kind of people are the very rare. I have never heard of anything like this before, so i think the effect of these people in attrition is very little to be considered.
I also think that the importance one gives to attrition is very much related with self-confidence. Obviously there is some randomness about the issue but you would still go to MIT over Minnesota (to continue with the example about 75% vs 10% attrition rates) if you are pretty confident you will pass. It is certain that attrition matter in your decision but how much it does is very personal and has a lot to do with self confidence.