Dissertation Timeline: What is realistic?

[graduatingsoon]

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Hi everyone:

I matched to a postdoc that starts in late August 2013! I wanted to get some opinions about whether my timeline for dissertation defense by August is realistic. I'm not expecting that my committee will have major edits. The only requirement for my postdoc is that my dissertation is defended before the start date.

I've already analyzed my data, written the results section, and am now starting the discussion section. I then have to go back and update the introduction and literature review with more recent articles. Then I have to put everything together. I have not tweaked my litt review since the proposal. I should have a complete full draft by end of March.

I'm curious if this timeline is realistic based on other people who defended before starting post-doc. How long did it take you between getting a full draft to your committee and the actual defense? I am concerned that I'm cutting it too close, but I won't be able to get a complete draft before end of March anyhow. I'm working on it daily at this point. My committee also knows about my postdoc, but is waiting on a full draft and has not set a date yet because I didn't complete the entire draft.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Our setup was a bit different in that only our advisor, not our full committee, actually had to "ok" the document before we could set a defense date. As a result, this likely cuts down on our lag time a bit.

With that being said, my timeline was similar to yours, and I was able to have everything finished by June (and it only got stretched out that far because of various members being on vacation throughout May). My committee as a whole was relatively easy to work with, though, as was my advisor.

Just be sure not to let up on yourself between now and then. The earlier you can start having drafts reviewed and start tossing around potential defense dates, the better. Similarly, the earlier you can get a date actually set in stone, the easier it'll be to keep yourself motivated.

 

[ResearchGirlie]

Can you discuss the timeline with your advisor and other committee members to make sure that it is ok on their end. It sounds reasonable to me but you want to make sure your committee is aware of the time frame you are working with.

 

[bmedclinic]

Can you discuss the timeline with your advisor and other committee members to make sure that it is ok on their end. It sounds reasonable to me but you want to make sure your committee is aware of the time frame you are working with.

I'd think this is the route to go. Having a frank discussion with them. Unless you are at odds with someone on your committee, they are likely invested in your doing well and succeeding and dont want to get in the way of your postdoc. That said, you are kinda cutting it close so maybe their perspective will be changed.

PS Congrats on getting the postdoc!

 

[clinpsychjack]

Hi everyone:

I matched to a postdoc that starts in late August 2013! I wanted to get some opinions about whether my timeline for dissertation defense by August is realistic. I'm not expecting that my committee will have major edits. The only requirement for my postdoc is that my dissertation is defended before the start date.

I've already analyzed my data, written the results section, and am now starting the discussion section. I then have to go back and update the introduction and literature review with more recent articles. Then I have to put everything together. I have not tweaked my litt review since the proposal. I should have a complete full draft by end of March.

I'm curious if this timeline is realistic based on other people who defended before starting post-doc. How long did it take you between getting a full draft to your committee and the actual defense? I am concerned that I'm cutting it too close, but I won't be able to get a complete draft before end of March anyhow. I'm working on it daily at this point. My committee also knows about my postdoc, but is waiting on a full draft and has not set a date yet because I didn't complete the entire draft.

I am assuming you are on internship right now? I think your plan definitely sounds do-able, but it partly depends on how busy you are with internship and other obligations. On fellowship, I was able to defend my preliminary research project (a requirement for my program) and propose my dissertation within a month while also applying to internship (writing my essays, cover letters, etc. within the same time period). I thrive off of that kind of time pressure though, as long as it's reasonable.