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Smileysquared · 03-17-2008, 05:26 PM

It is so funny some would mention age-I know of someone who graduated with a bachelor degree at age 70 or 80 (can't remember the exact age at the moment) in Engineering and he said he was planning to continue to do his PhD.

doubtful · 03-17-2008, 05:29 PM

I am aware of a professor now at Ut-Austin who got the Phd at UPenn when she was around 40.

Olm · 03-17-2008, 05:34 PM

Some of your acceptances are right inside the top 20... your next choice is not obvious. Had your admits only been to top 30 and top 40 schools, then yes, I would say reapply. But given that you may end up being accepted to schools that are only slightly better than the ones you are currently admitted to (Rochester, Wisc-Mad, etc.), you have to decide if it's worth waiting a year. Even assuming you get an 800Q or close to it, you are by no means guaranteed a spot in the top 10 - given the randomness of the process, no one is!

Deferring admissions a year is risky because you are not guaranteed funding in the next year. Tread carefully and good luck!

macroeconomicus · 03-17-2008, 06:33 PM

Why reapply to OSU if you have an offer of admission from OSU now?

Karina 07 · 03-18-2008, 12:57 AM

Further derailing onto the age thing -- when I was tiny, like maybe 9 or 10, a friend of my aunt's was over for dinner, and he had had a bit to drink. He was maybe about 35, and he was finishing up a PhD that he had been finishing up since forever. Well, I was so *shocked* that *anyone* could be in school that long that I opened up my big mouth and said so. Being drunk, this guy had to be restrained from trying to beat me up!!

I really didn't understand that at the time, but now I kinda get it.

avkuvalekar · 03-18-2008, 01:56 AM

Quote:

I know of someone who graduated with a bachelor degree at age 70 or 80 (can't remember the exact age at the moment) in Engineering and he said he was planning to continue to do his PhD.

Are you sure it wasn't his post-retirement passtime? I believe some of us here are looking for employment after education.

Smileysquared · 03-18-2008, 02:37 AM

No it wasn't. It was highlighted in the newspaper and he said he just never got the time to do it with all his responsiblities. My point is that sometimes we think that we are too 'old' when really we are not. We measure ourselves against others when we really shouldn't. Sometimes people's circumstances make them delay certain things they want done in their life, for example finances but it doesn't ever stop one from achieving what they truly desire. Other times we rush into doing things and never get it done because we were not ready to do it in the first place(a case where someone enters into a PhD programme and then drops out because he/she wasn't ready for such a challenge)-so probably taking some time off for whatever reason before one makes such a step in life is highly important. It could make a huge difference to some people's lives.

avkuvalekar · 03-18-2008, 02:57 AM

Quote:

No it wasn't. It was highlighted in the newspaper and he said he just never got the time to do it with all his responsiblities. My point is that sometimes we think that we are too 'old' when really we are not. We measure ourselves against others when we really shouldn't. Sometimes people's circumstances make them delay certain things they want done in their life, for example finances but it doesn't ever stop one from achieving what they truly desire. Other times we rush into doing things and never get it done because we were not ready to do it in the first place(a case where someone enters into a PhD programme and then drops out because he/she wasn't ready for such a challenge)-so probably taking some time off for whatever reason before one makes such a step in life is highly important. It could make a huge difference to some people's lives.

Couldn't agree more with you on that one. I spent 4 years in engineering, developed an interest towards economics towards my final semester. I was planning for a masters entrance exams last year but didn't actually take them as I had a job offer from an i-bank with me. Moreover, I used to look at everything like - there is a possible risk of my having to do a PhD after this.
But having spent one year in a bank I have realised what I need to do, what I enjoy and the way I should get it. So, age certainly isn't a big issue. if you're comfortable with studying at 30 then there is every reason for you to do so rather than working under some tom, d**k and harry proclaiming to be a big man.

Smileysquared · 03-18-2008, 02:57 AM

You should however take into account that there may be a rise in the number of applications in the next academic year. I think that there will be a significant rise because of the more than 50% prob of a recession that will cause a number of people to lose jobs (and even those who have jobs but know that the economy is slowing down) may then decide to go back to school. As you already know if a recession does occur, it will last more than the average 10 months so many people may take this into account and decide it is in their interest to pursue that PhD or Masters they have been putting off for some time.....so I guess what I am saying is that you should consider some sort of a safety net just in case if you are sure that a PhD is what you really want of course and you are ready for it.
All the best.

avkuvalekar · 03-18-2008, 03:23 AM

hmm, didn't really know that this slowdown could have such a big impact on PhD admissions. Will definitely think about all these things. The thing is, although I agree that age is not an issue, I want to finish my PhD by 30. So, if I do get into a 2 year masters right now then by the time I finish I will be 26. So, I can't finish a PhD by 30. Therefore, I am considering 3 yr PhD routes like LSE, Warwick and all. And I think we are deviating a bit too much from the topic here I guess, adronicus might be popping here every now and then to see if something helpful has been posted here only to find that a new sub-thread has been started.

One other reason for me wanting to do a PhD is because I have realised that most of the jobs in i-banks are just glamour and very little substance. I would rather be doing something than pretending to do something wearing a coat and tie.

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03-17-2008, 05:26 PM	#21 (permalink)
Smileysquared Life is too short....... Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 126	It is so funny some would mention age-I know of someone who graduated with a bachelor degree at age 70 or 80 (can't remember the exact age at the moment) in Engineering and he said he was planning to continue to do his PhD.

03-17-2008, 05:29 PM	#22 (permalink)
doubtful Within my grasp! Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 406	I am aware of a professor now at Ut-Austin who got the Phd at UPenn when she was around 40.

03-17-2008, 05:34 PM	#23 (permalink)
Olm Requiem for a Dream Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 841	Some of your acceptances are right inside the top 20... your next choice is not obvious. Had your admits only been to top 30 and top 40 schools, then yes, I would say reapply. But given that you may end up being accepted to schools that are only slightly better than the ones you are currently admitted to (Rochester, Wisc-Mad, etc.), you have to decide if it's worth waiting a year. Even assuming you get an 800Q or close to it, you are by no means guaranteed a spot in the top 10 - given the randomness of the process, no one is! Deferring admissions a year is risky because you are not guaranteed funding in the next year. Tread carefully and good luck!

03-17-2008, 06:33 PM	#24 (permalink)
macroeconomicus Within my grasp! Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 329	Why reapply to OSU if you have an offer of admission from OSU now?

03-18-2008, 12:57 AM	#25 (permalink)
Karina 07 TestMagic Guru-in-Training Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 726	Further derailing onto the age thing -- when I was tiny, like maybe 9 or 10, a friend of my aunt's was over for dinner, and he had had a bit to drink. He was maybe about 35, and he was finishing up a PhD that he had been finishing up since forever. Well, I was so shocked that anyone could be in school that long that I opened up my big mouth and said so. Being drunk, this guy had to be restrained from trying to beat me up!! I really didn't understand that at the time, but now I kinda get it.

03-18-2008, 02:37 AM	#27 (permalink)
Smileysquared Life is too short....... Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 126	No it wasn't. It was highlighted in the newspaper and he said he just never got the time to do it with all his responsiblities. My point is that sometimes we think that we are too 'old' when really we are not. We measure ourselves against others when we really shouldn't. Sometimes people's circumstances make them delay certain things they want done in their life, for example finances but it doesn't ever stop one from achieving what they truly desire. Other times we rush into doing things and never get it done because we were not ready to do it in the first place(a case where someone enters into a PhD programme and then drops out because he/she wasn't ready for such a challenge)-so probably taking some time off for whatever reason before one makes such a step in life is highly important. It could make a huge difference to some people's lives.

03-18-2008, 02:57 AM	#29 (permalink)
Smileysquared Life is too short....... Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 126	You should however take into account that there may be a rise in the number of applications in the next academic year. I think that there will be a significant rise because of the more than 50% prob of a recession that will cause a number of people to lose jobs (and even those who have jobs but know that the economy is slowing down) may then decide to go back to school. As you already know if a recession does occur, it will last more than the average 10 months so many people may take this into account and decide it is in their interest to pursue that PhD or Masters they have been putting off for some time.....so I guess what I am saying is that you should consider some sort of a safety net just in case if you are sure that a PhD is what you really want of course and you are ready for it. All the best.

03-18-2008, 03:23 AM	#30 (permalink)
avkuvalekar Knockin on Eco's door Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 75	hmm, didn't really know that this slowdown could have such a big impact on PhD admissions. Will definitely think about all these things. The thing is, although I agree that age is not an issue, I want to finish my PhD by 30. So, if I do get into a 2 year masters right now then by the time I finish I will be 26. So, I can't finish a PhD by 30. Therefore, I am considering 3 yr PhD routes like LSE, Warwick and all. And I think we are deviating a bit too much from the topic here I guess, adronicus might be popping here every now and then to see if something helpful has been posted here only to find that a new sub-thread has been started. One other reason for me wanting to do a PhD is because I have realised that most of the jobs in i-banks are just glamour and very little substance. I would rather be doing something than pretending to do something wearing a coat and tie.

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