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Physics Student Earns PhD at Age 89

brown.edu

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Re: Physics Student Earns PhD at Age 89

#331

Post by mden »

laichzeit0 wrote: post #295
cg30e wrote: post #246

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For sure. I'll list some books for introduction to proofs, abstract algebra, real analysis, topology and category theory. These are not comprehensive, just listing books off the top of my head. I'll definitely be leaving off personal favorites other people have. You'll like some better than others. Some of these are beginner books and some are more advanced. A good tutor can help you get through the more advanced boo…

I see you did a lot of analysis, but no Calculus, why is that?

Calculus is a subset of analysis. It's not really its own subject. Generally what people call calculus is a collection of results that are part of analysis.

Re: Physics Student Earns PhD at Age 89

#332

Post by nickd2001 »

conjectures wrote: post #329
nickd2001 wrote: post #262

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder if anyone knows the answer to this Q. Back in the day, UK universities, and in particular Open University, often let you take as long as you liked to finish a Phd. I knew someone who in the 1980s got a lecturer job at Cambridge Uni with only a Masters, and over a period of 16 yrs got a Phd part-time. But it seems this got clamped down, and now unis don't like to see anyone take longer than 6 yrs to complete…

> I quite fancy doing a Phd myself one day, but I assume I'd have to do it in "stealth mode" unofficially for a few yrs without a supervisor first I'd suggest you think very carefully about this first. There's a very high chance the stealth mode work will be non-useful for getting onto a programme. Similar to how working on a 'build it and they will come' approach is generally disadvised for startups. Obviously it de…

Thank you for friendly helpful advice :) Yeah I've misgivings too. Ha ha I've no idea whether I'm a lone genius or not. I've a hunch for an approach to an area of study which I believe other people have steadfastly ignored or not noticed. Now either (a) they're all informed and I'm not, and they're right not to waste time on such a fruitless approach or (b) I'm on to something worth pursuing. Only one way to find that out. ;) My plan was to try to produce something then demo that to a potential supervisor. There's a couple of professors from when I did my MSc, one in particular is a very nice person who'd probably be interested and at least give it a (healthily critical) hearing. Well, good people of HN you're welcome to reply and shoot down this approach or encourage it, whichever makes most sense. :)

Re: Physics Student Earns PhD at Age 89

#333

Post by javchz »

the_only_law wrote: post #326
javchz wrote: post #281

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I had the same worries as someone who with some luck will graduate in his 30s. I went back to college after dropping out when I was in my early 20s. Someone told me "You're going to be X+4 years in 4 years anyway, why not try achieving that thing you want. Time will pass either way" Surprise: Right now I enjoy college VS before when it felt like a chore I had to go because was the "right thing to do". It's great to s…

It’s not about being old in school, in fact I’m fairly sure I could make much more of it now then had I gone at 17-18. It’s about being old when I finish. Losing the rest of my youth being out of place (funny enough I’ve always been the young guy among older people and school would just invert that, it’s not the biggest issue in the world, but it does become very isolating at times) and losing years of earning power…

It's a gamble. Opportunity cost it's a real thing.

The risk/benefit ratio will depend on the career. In IT, in a lot of jobs, you can have a competitive salary with Bootcamps and self-taught skills.

Now ageism it's a thing... but at the same time one that plays in your favor, usually companies that only hire early-20s, tend to be exploitative or abusive (pizza instead of proper extra hours payments, etc).

I will say it's only worth it if you see your college studies more like a self-development thing rather than just a multiplier on your salary.

Re: Physics Student Earns PhD at Age 89

#335

Post by challenger-derp »

cg30e wrote: post #71

This is very inspiring. I too am young and been in the work force for several years, but unlike the other comments in this thread I am not settled down as an older student returning to school. I am willing to give up a high paying salary to return back to school as a PhD student and I am not tied down with a mortgage or anything else. I find mathematics simply too interesting to not learn at the highest level. Workin…

Where can people who are interested in learning math find math tutors? I'd like to engage a math tutor though i don't think I would pursue a math PhD :)

Re: Physics Student Earns PhD at Age 89

#336

Post by dm319 »

geebee wrote: post #298
dm319 wrote: post #241

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, I have recently completed a PhD at a UK university (aged late 30s). I was able to get full funding for my salary and lab resources for 3 years. I worked so hard and submitted after 4 years. Can't imagine how I could have done those three years while working - it was a very much full-time occupation, if not more.

Fascinating. Was there a lot of coursework, or was this dissertation-based? The reason I say fascinating is that people do part-time law degrees (25-30 hours a week estimated commitment) while working at times demanding jobs. However, I am very willing to belive that law school is a lot more straightforward than a PhD (attrition rates in elite law schools are below 1%, as opposed to 35%-50% for elite PhD programs).

There wasn't any coursework - just a single thesis at the end. I think some people do achieve a PhD alongside work, but it can be a long process. I also think things have changed these days in that decades ago you could take as long as you liked, whereas now they're very strict about you handing it in completed in 4 years after registration. It maybe that you can register part-time and the deadline is subsequently pushed back, but I imagine it can be a bit risky as departments change and supervisors will come and go if you're taking more than 5 years to do it. The other aspect is what type of PhD it is. For laboratory work it can be hard to fit that around work, especially if you're receiving samples on another timetable.

Re: Physics Student Earns PhD at Age 89

#337

Post by dm319 »

Apofis wrote: post #325
dm319 wrote: post #241

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, I have recently completed a PhD at a UK university (aged late 30s). I was able to get full funding for my salary and lab resources for 3 years. I worked so hard and submitted after 4 years. Can't imagine how I could have done those three years while working - it was a very much full-time occupation, if not more.

The funding that you were granted covered your full traditional salary and not a shoe-string budget? I really want to do graduate studies full time but I'm struggling to figure it out financially.

Yes it covered my clinical salary and had around 20'000 per year for the lab work. It was very generous, but hard to get. Also, the year after I got it, the recession had truly hit and charities and research organisations stopped most of their funding.

It was hard applying for the grants, but it is possible in your spare time. You can talk to potential supervisors and they can point you towards grants coming up - and help you write them.

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