As a grad student in physics, I tend to think of myself as completely opposite of a frat guy. I care about knowing things, studying hard, not getting into fights, not any gay stuff. But there is certainly one experience that I share with frat guys. I want to be part of the scientific community. To enter it, while they may not flog you, they do something surely worse.
There are 3 major obstacles to becoming a PhD in physics, prior to your actual thesis defense. The first is actually getting into grad school, which requires good grades, the GRE, and a Statement of Purpose. Second is the comprehensive exam, a two-day ordeal including a 4 subject written section and a short (20 minute) oral session. Most people are weeded out in this portion. The comps are tough, but not gratuitous torture of students, since it shows that someone really knows the core subjects.
But the third section goes by the nebulous name "the orals". The orals is ostensibly a thesis proposal, where you present a fairly comprehensive overview of the research you plan to present to get your PhD. What it actually is is an open-ended hazing session where 5 professors insult your Powerpoint slides, impugn your knowledge of physics, and generally attempt to make you look foolish. Very few people actually fail their orals (although it does happen), so it really is just torture. Mine was fairly short, as they go, at 80 minutes.
My choice line: "Did you take Solid State Physics [you idiot]?"
Anyway, it's over. I have my life back.
3 comments
Julianna
3/27/2007 at 5:44 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I'm sure you impressed them with your brilliance. I hope that is the end of the hazing and you get good news regarding your acceptance. I think it is awesome that you are going for your PhD.
Reuben
3/27/2007 at 9:32 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oh, yes. They make you wait out in the hall while they deliberate (decide your fate). I did pass.
Thanks, I'm glad someone still thinks it's cool to go into science. My family just gives me blank stares. "ok...so when will you be done with school?" sigh.
Julianna
3/28/2007 at 11:05 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I never thought it was cool until I met Michael. He has his PhD in physics and a masters in computer science. He taught some of the physics masters program while he was pursuing his PhD. He said that it was so rewarding when students "got it" - he says that it is very finite and once you "get it" you've "got it" - WHATEVER! I am just proud that I finally learned the four fundamental forces of nature - I think it took me about five dates to get just that. I do think his parents thought he would never finish school as well. He now heads up satellite programs for L0chheed and just had his first project go off without a hitch - I am very proud of him. His next project will launch out of Cape Canaveral in a year and a half.
We have friends that own a winery and he helps pour on weekends. I was approached by an acquaintance at the grocery store and she asked what I did for a living and I said that I was currently a domestic goddess and she said it must be stressful with my husband working at a winery... I SOOO wanted to say that he is actually a physicist who heads up a multi-billion dollar program on the weekdays but I decided to just let her think that my husband is a minion at a winery.
It must be nice to have a partner just as brilliant as yourself. Michael has to suffer with my simple mindedness - he is very patient. I hope y'all are doing well. Give my love to Jess.