How old is too old for PhD?

[ssendam]

Will be 31 in the fall, was in an unrelated industry for several years. I only got into one school, so it might have hurt my chances.

[gausspk]

I am 28 years old with five years of work. I have worked not only after my bachelor's degree but after my master's degree as well.

One chair of adcoms told me that most admission officers worried about my ability to catch up with the rigor of acedemics and also doubt my commitment to research career. This is why they put me on the waiting list. Sigh.

Now, I have to try my best to change his viewpoints.

Originally Posted by vagabond_shoes

I am 27 and will be starting the PhD next fall. I believe perhaps more than 30 is not so usual. I also think there is an age difference between americans and internationals. Americans usually go directly from BA to graduate school and are in average probably younger than internationals who (like me) go for an MA before. Plus in the US a Bachelor's degree takes 4 years or so. In other countries (like mine) it takes 6.

I am 28 years old with five years of work. I have worked not only after my bachelor's degree but after my master's degree as well.

One chair of adcoms told me that most admission officers worried about my ability to catch up with the rigor of acedemics and also doubt my commitment to research career. This is why they put me on the waiting list. Sigh.

Now, I have to try my best to change his viewpoints.

[Thande]

I don't think age really matters. It is only important that you effectively convey your motivation for study, committment to research and academic excellence. I am 33 and have been out of school for 5 years! That did not stop me from geting 3 very good admits. Sometimes you can actually use age to your advantage


I got married when I was pursuing my masters degree and that was really difficult - concentration levels were at my lowest. It is really difficult to be a grad student when you are at the age where you feel you should be finding a life partner etc. By the time I was through with my MA I thought I would never look at another book again. Now that I am settled and have been married, worked and saved for quite a while, I feel very settled and eager for academics - I even feel a lot wiser...I found a grey strand of hair on my head the other day

[econfin7]

Really? Is 25-26 too old?
I'm 26 and finished my undergrad 2 yrs back. Have 2 yrs working experience and planning to do Masters this year, and possibly PhD after that...will be 27 then.

Hmm if I really do a PhD and complete it, will be around 32? With no family and likely to be in huge debt. Is it really worth it?

Originally Posted by teardrop

I keep hearing that anything beyond 25-26 is too old and schools may not accept you even if you are good? Is there age cutoff?

[psylocybha]

I'll be 28 when I enter. Since undergrad I have travelled, worked in another country, done an MA and worked for a think tank, so I think that time helped my application. In any case, I wouldn't have be sure about doing a PhD -especially with the competitive job market - if I was younger.

[aesthetic_ascetic]

I'll turn 26 in November, a couple of months into my PhD...

I have zero work experience... got my BE in 2003, went straight into the MS, took a year longer than normal, and graduated this January... I've started working for the time being, until I leave for the PhD... I don't know if my age hurt my chances... with one admit out of four and still to hear from eight, maybe it did...

[klop]

Originally Posted by econfin7

Really? Is 25-26 too old?
I'm 26 and finished my undergrad 2 yrs back. Have 2 yrs working experience and planning to do Masters this year, and possibly PhD after that...will be 27 then.

Hmm if I really do a PhD and complete it, will be around 32? With no family and likely to be in huge debt. Is it really worth it?

That's exactly my worry too, specially considering that you're living in an affluent country, then the opportunity cost is very high. I wouldn't worry about it if I was 25 or younger though.

[pookchen]

Whatever, with skin creams, SPF 30 and a macrobiotic diet, 30 can be the new 20!

(I Am also an old fart (27), starting PHD in the Fall, but have an MSc and worked for two years before going back for my masters. I also got (more or less) hitched along the way, which, in my humble opinion, makes me more stable! Instead of searching the bars for my future mate, I'll be studying studying studying! (Not!)

[Ivo]

Originally Posted by econfin7

Really? Is 25-26 too old?
I'm 26 and finished my undergrad 2 yrs back. Have 2 yrs working experience and planning to do Masters this year, and possibly PhD after that...will be 27 then.

Hmm if I really do a PhD and complete it, will be around 32? With no family and likely to be in huge debt. Is it really worth it?

we're exactly on the same boat. I wonder how many people like us are out there? As for me the debt isn't too worrisome for I hope to cover my study expenses from fellowships, grants etc. (thus far the school's going to pay for me). The big worry is the family issue ...uh..that's something worrisome indeed.

[europeean]

Hi Ivo and Econfin7,

hmm, don't be too pessimistic. I am pretty sure that you will leave your labratory or problem set once in a forthnight in order to see the daylight - and then you will most probably meet the woman for your happy family

Maybe you will have to leave more often if you want to find a girl who can pay off your debt, too.

Anyway, I really think it is worth it, because it will be a great experience. Oh, I am 25 now - so sth. like 29/30 when I have my PhD... and luckily no debt...