Why do so many people continue to pursue doctorates?

This, this, a thousand times this.

 

I enjoyed my master's WAY more than I enjoyed my undergrad experience as well.

 

How many P.H.D.'s are actually paying for the privilege or are they receiving fellowships and serving as cheap help?

In today's dollars an MBA at the program I attended costs 70k a year for out of state students . But my alma mater will give you a fellowship and 20K a year to pursue a P.H.D. So you can avoid the debt and your professional opportunities will be about the same. A Ph.D in a business area might be considered too theoretical by some employers but you could swing a non-academic job.

I had a younger relative with a BA in Chemistry discover the same thing. Schools would give her a full ride and a stipend if she pursued a PhD and served as cheap help for 4-5 years but they were going to charge for Masters.

 

Maybe this is why:

Game of Thrones Goes to College: The PhDs Most Likely to be Written About Westeros

 

There was a grad student panel on "Star Wars and International Security" last year at a major conference where the presenters dressed in costume.

 

I'm glad you explained that picture, John. Otherwise I would have thought it was the crowd at a Rush concert.

 

Here was the one I was thinking of. The one before took place on March. This took place in 2015.

 

I was at a business conference once that was bookended with one for biology. While checking out of the hotel I saw on the day's schedule an "Invertebrate Social" at 5 p.m. I thought, damn, I bet those invertebrates can partay!

 

I'm glad you explained that picture, John. Otherwise I would have thought it was millennial foodies desperately seeking other millennial foodies.

 

planet loser

 

Is it worse to go to grad school and study a topic with little value or cover preps your entire career?