- Joined
- Apr 27, 2015
- Messages
- 54
- Reaction score
- 12
Hi everyone. I'm currently completing a B.S. in psychology, and my advisor and I are kicking around the idea that I might apply to the honors program and complete the thesis. This is my second undergraduate degree (my first was a double B.A., literature and creative writing). Without enrolling in the honors program, I'm on track to graduate the Spring of 2017 (and, in a perfect world, start a clinical PhD program that fall). Completing the honors thesis will add two more semesters to my undergraduate timeline, which means I would start my PhD program the Fall of 2018, assuming I was accepted during my first cycle.
Our reasoning is that taking the extra two semesters and completing the honors thesis will give me more time and opportunity to develop myself as a researcher. On an intellectual level, I totally agree. This is really the only weak part of my application. First undergraduate degree was a 3.85, and I'm currently maintaining a 4.0 in my B.S. I have six years of military experience (relevant because I want to work with veterans of OIF/OEF) and currently work part time in a related field. So, my application is pretty solid, aside from the scanty research experience.
My hang up is that I'm 32 years old. I'm in a good financial position to extend undergraduate studies, but I'm vacillating on the age issue. On a good day, I think about how all my life experiences will help me in the long run. On a bad day, I think about how other people my age already have houses and kids (I've pretty much given up on kids; I'll settle for dogs), and adding an extra year to the process seems crazy.
So, the question is: will it be worth it to take the extra year, do the honors thesis, and start graduate school at the age of 35?
Our reasoning is that taking the extra two semesters and completing the honors thesis will give me more time and opportunity to develop myself as a researcher. On an intellectual level, I totally agree. This is really the only weak part of my application. First undergraduate degree was a 3.85, and I'm currently maintaining a 4.0 in my B.S. I have six years of military experience (relevant because I want to work with veterans of OIF/OEF) and currently work part time in a related field. So, my application is pretty solid, aside from the scanty research experience.
My hang up is that I'm 32 years old. I'm in a good financial position to extend undergraduate studies, but I'm vacillating on the age issue. On a good day, I think about how all my life experiences will help me in the long run. On a bad day, I think about how other people my age already have houses and kids (I've pretty much given up on kids; I'll settle for dogs), and adding an extra year to the process seems crazy.
So, the question is: will it be worth it to take the extra year, do the honors thesis, and start graduate school at the age of 35?