- Joined
- Mar 14, 2008
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Hi all,
Currently in a PhD program (just began second year, have not gone through qualifying exam yet) at an elite university, but it's been somewhat of a nightmare of an experience, mostly due to mentor-related issues. I've always had a residency as a goal, and until lately, this was a post-PhD plan. I am now considering entering the match this year, but I cannot decide if leaving the PhD is a wise decision or not. My long term goals are a joint clinical/research academic appointment, and I do feel the PhD would be helpful in the skills I would acquire, and the later value it would add to my CV, particularly where it's coming from, but I have never been more miserable in my life. I would not quit this program, however, because it is a rare opportunity, except possibly for a residency.
As I am reluctant to exit the PhD and close the door on it entirely, I was considering the possibility of withdrawing during the residency with the possibility of later re-instatement to finish the program (especially if there are no faculty positions available upon completion of the residency). Looking at the policies of the university, it looks like this could be possible, but I would need to be sure I could get re-in statement through the consent of my advisor/department, but I kind of feel that would never be rock solid and I may never get the opportunity to return. A "Leave of Absence" is only permissible for one calendar year, except for in extraordinary circumstances such as military service. I doubt a residency counts.
Has anyone been in a similar situation or exited and later finished a PhD? Or conversely, has anyone else found the PhD to be key to success in a clinical faculty appointment? I'm very conflicted. I feel I can buckle down and finish this, but I am not getting the mentorship/development I wanted out of this program, and it's pushing me to a breaking point at times.
Also, some context for the advisor situation: due to the set up of the program, I had to identify an advisor who would pay my tuition, as the department would not fund me. I had initially identified someone else as a potential mentor, but he bailed when he found out he'd have to pay tuition. I was basically shopped around to another PI who is well-funded, is well-known in his field, and is a powerful guy at the university as well. I did not feel that his lab or mentorship would be a good fit for me, but I joined anyway in order to get into the PhD program (life lesson: follow your gut instinct). Switching mentors would unfortunately be politically and practically very messy.
Thanks ahead of time.
Currently in a PhD program (just began second year, have not gone through qualifying exam yet) at an elite university, but it's been somewhat of a nightmare of an experience, mostly due to mentor-related issues. I've always had a residency as a goal, and until lately, this was a post-PhD plan. I am now considering entering the match this year, but I cannot decide if leaving the PhD is a wise decision or not. My long term goals are a joint clinical/research academic appointment, and I do feel the PhD would be helpful in the skills I would acquire, and the later value it would add to my CV, particularly where it's coming from, but I have never been more miserable in my life. I would not quit this program, however, because it is a rare opportunity, except possibly for a residency.
As I am reluctant to exit the PhD and close the door on it entirely, I was considering the possibility of withdrawing during the residency with the possibility of later re-instatement to finish the program (especially if there are no faculty positions available upon completion of the residency). Looking at the policies of the university, it looks like this could be possible, but I would need to be sure I could get re-in statement through the consent of my advisor/department, but I kind of feel that would never be rock solid and I may never get the opportunity to return. A "Leave of Absence" is only permissible for one calendar year, except for in extraordinary circumstances such as military service. I doubt a residency counts.
Has anyone been in a similar situation or exited and later finished a PhD? Or conversely, has anyone else found the PhD to be key to success in a clinical faculty appointment? I'm very conflicted. I feel I can buckle down and finish this, but I am not getting the mentorship/development I wanted out of this program, and it's pushing me to a breaking point at times.
Also, some context for the advisor situation: due to the set up of the program, I had to identify an advisor who would pay my tuition, as the department would not fund me. I had initially identified someone else as a potential mentor, but he bailed when he found out he'd have to pay tuition. I was basically shopped around to another PI who is well-funded, is well-known in his field, and is a powerful guy at the university as well. I did not feel that his lab or mentorship would be a good fit for me, but I joined anyway in order to get into the PhD program (life lesson: follow your gut instinct). Switching mentors would unfortunately be politically and practically very messy.
Thanks ahead of time.
