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I saw that today tm_associate updated the forum to move the sweat threads and all in a 2018 sweat thread. This got my nostalgic and I went through some of the old threads as a way to effectively procrastinate writing my dissertation (SUCCESS!). Looking back on those old threads I started thinking about all the people who started their PhD's with me and I realized that only about 45% of those people that I know are still in PhD programs. This is on par with most of the social science PhD programs (a little higher than the hard sciences). I'd love to hear if people in other programs have similar feelings and reactions. I wanted to get that information out there for two main groups of people on this site. First for those who are applying. Seeing these stats can sound discouraging and depressing. I put these numbers out there for you first so that you can see that a PhD program is hard. Getting into a program simply means that you have the knowledge required to get a PhD, that is the whole point of the application process. Schools are really good a knowing whether or not you have the ability to do it from your application and interview. That means that if you are accepted you definitely can finish. That's a great feeling and one you'll need to think about while you are in the throws of it feeling down on yourself. I want you to be aware that many people leave programs (the majority in fact) and you should enjoy the little wins while you can. That leads me to the second set of people I wrote this post for: those in PhD programs who are questioning their life choices. Of the people I know who left the overwhelming majority left of their own accord. They weren't forced out or they didn't fail comprehensive exams. They simply looked at their lives, wondered if they would be happier elsewhere and chose a different path. A lot of the people I know took extremely well paying jobs and make me jealous with their vacation pictures while I sit in the crowded PhD office. My point is that they did not "fail" out. And even if you are "forced" out, I promise that is the right decision. Schools aren't trying to get you out (with maybe a few exceptions). If they ask you to leave it's in your best interest, they want you to succeed and they feel like you might not be able to if you continue with the program. My point is that people leave for many reasons. If you are having serious doubts talk to some people. If you do end up deciding to leave it's not a failure. Not even a little bit. It is choosing a better decision for your life. If you decide you want to come back eventually grad school will always be here. Mainly I wrote this because I realized how big of a deal grad school is and how many people decide that it's not for them. I'm surprised at how many people I know who were so excited to start quickly realized it wasn't for them. I want you to come in prepared. I also want to be open and honest about how hard programs are. How much you'll be questioning your decision. A lot of it on here doesn't show that part life. I want it to. Grad school is great and for some it's the best decision of their lives. For others deciding to leave is the best decision of their lives. Neither is the wrong decision. Good luck!