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I passed Ph.D. qualifying exams in mathematics after failing them the first time. Almost everyone in my family has a college degree and this fact helped me not

I passed Ph.D. qualifying exams in mathematics after failing them the first time. Almost everyone in my family has a college degree and this fact helped me not one bit since none of them can understand graduate level mathematics. Being a first generation college student is not an excuse for doing poorly on Ph.D. qualifying exams. You know the material or you don’t and it’s highly unlikely people in your family will relate to that specific set of knowledge. Sounds to me like the author doesn’t know the material well enough. Take the hint and change careers.

deleted 4y ago
[deleted]
lumost 4y ago
These exams seem somewhat silly in my view. If a professor believes one is capable of research, and one has built relationships/track record with the professors through coursework. Then why would the university fail out a student on an oral examination? It seems like using leetcode to determine promotions.
- xwolfi 4y ago
  Because a single professor sponsorship is not good enough for such a degree. But why do a PhD if you dont like the rules, I dont have one and I'm happy, productive, married, rich enough... The problem with leetcode is that it favors leet coders, but if that s what a company wants Ill apologize and say Im a dumb average dev who cant cast arrays into integers in javascript on the top of my head or whatnot, and move on.
- syzarian 4y ago
  Professors have motivations beyond ensuring that the a potential student is capable. For instance, sometimes they need bodies to pad resumes or look good for a promotions committee. A person with a Ph.D. should have an expert level of knowledge in their field. If a student can’t pass an examination after 3 tries then, in my opinion, it’s time to move on. Would you want as your ER doctor someone who couldn’t pass the USMLE? At some point one has to be able to prove they know material like you and I know 1+1 is 2.
nigamanth 4y ago
Exactly, maybe the examination is a sign. I get the fact that circumstances can change maybe 1 examination, but 3 times in a row? You should be doing the doctorate because it interests you, to select a career you need something that interests you, something that you're good at, and something that pays. Going to the career for only one of them isn't good enough.

deleted 4y ago

[deleted]

lumost 4y ago

These exams seem somewhat silly in my view. If a professor believes one is capable of research, and one has built relationships/track record with the professors through coursework. Then why would the university fail out a student on an oral examination? It seems like using leetcode to determine promotions.

xwolfi 4y ago
Because a single professor sponsorship is not good enough for such a degree. But why do a PhD if you dont like the rules, I dont have one and I'm happy, productive, married, rich enough... The problem with leetcode is that it favors leet coders, but if that s what a company wants Ill apologize and say Im a dumb average dev who cant cast arrays into integers in javascript on the top of my head or whatnot, and move on.
syzarian 4y ago
Professors have motivations beyond ensuring that the a potential student is capable. For instance, sometimes they need bodies to pad resumes or look good for a promotions committee. A person with a Ph.D. should have an expert level of knowledge in their field. If a student can’t pass an examination after 3 tries then, in my opinion, it’s time to move on. Would you want as your ER doctor someone who couldn’t pass the USMLE? At some point one has to be able to prove they know material like you and I know 1+1 is 2.

nigamanth 4y ago

Exactly, maybe the examination is a sign. I get the fact that circumstances can change maybe 1 examination, but 3 times in a row? You should be doing the doctorate because it interests you, to select a career you need something that interests you, something that you're good at, and something that pays. Going to the career for only one of them isn't good enough.