College

[Oblivion]

I wasn't sure where to put this :oops:

Anyway, first question. How many years does the average PhD require?

Second question. Is it possible to work on multiple degrees at a time?

I have a while, but I'm looking into college. I plan on having multiple degrees.

I have always thought i would get a degree in engineering or mathematics because that is my 'area of expertise' but lately i have been thinking more and more of a medical degree. Is this common? To change your mind so quickly? And be so certain?

Finally, how hard is it to get a full ride scholarship?
I know i could get one to some colleges, but how hard is it to get one to a really good college, like Stanford or Harvard or Yale?
No Questions Below This Below

Also, I mentioned something along those lines to my mom and she said she didn't really think i 'liked people' all that much. I know why she thinks this- I don't have a need to be with people all the time, or be talking to someone all the time, and sometimes i am kind of... Hard to understand? I really want to be able to help the human race some way.

[Antares]

Okay well
I think the average is 7 years. Dont quote me on that but that is the number my head is wanting to say.
Second, yes it is possible to work on degrees at the same time. This is called double majoring. It is very difficult and most college students dont do it. Some even triple major but that is like...WHOA!
Umm next, you are only 13! You are going to change it at least 20 more times! Dont even think that you will choose one. Well that doesnt go for everyone but I know that for me and some seniors I know have changed their major many times. Also, it is possible to change it when you get in college so dont sweat it too much. For me I am thinking about it a lot now. I want to have a field chosen by the end of this year. Also, I am going to take that back and I will say that you should be thinking about your field because then you can take classes that focus around those subjects.
And finishing, I think it is very hard to get full ride for all four years. You have to be pretty amazing. Seriously you have to have a talent or have lots of potential or like a perfect perfect influential student. Usually those colleges are extremely hard to get them. I am not sure about how much they give out or how many they give out but you have to seriously be like THE BEST! in order to get that.

Hope I helped good luck.

[redcar]

First, your 13, so your not expected to know what you want to do when you leave school.

Anyway, first question. How many years does the average PhD require?
It depends. Generally to be admitted to a PhD programme you need to have a degree and generally a masters as well. Now those could take 4-6 years to get on their own. Then a PhD, again depends on the PhD programme you want to take, their are taught PhD's and research PhD's. Are you talking about a PhD as in a medical PhD or other PhD?

Second question. Is it possible to work on multiple degrees at a time?
Full time? No. In theory yes, but if you want to keep your sanity and actually focus on getting a good degree, no.

There really in no massive benifit to having multiple degrees unless you plan on changing fields dramatically, I mean like say from Science to Business, even then if you think you will do something like that, don't.

I have always thought i would get a degree in engineering or mathematics because that is my 'area of expertise' but lately i have been thinking more and more of a medical degree. Is this common? To change your mind so quickly? And be so certain?


You will change your mind on what you want to do right up until the very last second you have to make a final decision. I did. So don't be worrying about trying to make a final decission now.

I can't answer the rest of the questions because they are for a different system than I am in.

[ShatteredWings]

Anyway, first question. How many years does the average PhD require?
eight years w/o doing work over summers

Second question. Is it possible to work on multiple degrees at a time?
i don't see why not...

I have always thought i would get a degree in engineering or mathematics because that is my 'area of expertise' but lately i have been thinking more and more of a medical degree. Is this common? To change your mind so quickly? And be so certain?
do note thoes are both math/science degrees, i don't think they're a huge change...but medical requires like 12 years of school

Finally, how hard is it to get a full ride scholarship?
be an impossiabley good student
or be poor
(no that's not a joke

First, your 13, so your not expected to know what you want to do when you leave school.
Don't be so supprised alex...

[Underground_Network]

Nick, to answer your question about full ride scholarships, my brother went to a super prestigious private school, graduated second his class, got straight A's, broke the record for taking [and acing] the most AP classes in the state, and didn't receive a full ride scholarship [but did make it into Cornell]. After being extremely successful at Cornell and graduating Valedictorian, he is now getting paid to go to Columbia for grad school [where he is also doing [helping out with] scientific research for them]

[Oblivion]

Are you talking about a PhD as in a medical PhD or other PhD?

Do you happen to know both off the top of your head? (:


Thanks everyone, a lot of info.

[redcar]

Do you happen to know both off the top of your head? (:


Thanks everyone, a lot of info.

Depends. You could be talking anything from 2-4 years. Now with a medical, like if you want to become a doctor, its a bit more complicated. See medical students, in Ireland at least, study two degrees and then a masters and that take up to 6 years. Then they go on to do placements and what not for another one year before they get the PhD to become a fully qualified doctor.

[byee]

*Once again, Nick demonstrates he's the oldest 13 year old on the planet*

OK, I know a bit about this.

In the USA, it takes 8 years to get a PhD (4 undergrad and 4 grad). Depending on what the PhD is in, there can be some time after that, too. An MD takes 8 years, too (4+4) for a GP, and if you want to specialize, there's 4 after that.

You can get multiple degrees, there's no limit, but you typically have to get one at a time. When you get into a PhD program, there's typically a Master's degree after 1-2 years. But the Master's is in the same area of specialization as the PhD, so it doesn't let you do something else.

Since each degree is offered for one area of study, it's specialized, so you study one thing and get a degree for it. So, if you go for an MD, you'd go to med school and graduate with an MD. If you wanted a PhD in nuclear science, for instance, you'd have to apply to a program that specializes in that and offers a degree in it, even if you already have that MD. Typically though, because these advanced Graduate degrees are so demanding and so time consuming, most people decide by that time what they want to be doing, and just make a choice and get one.

Yes, it's typical to change your mind, esp. at 13. When you first start to think about this stuff, your life as an adult and what you see yourself being, it takes some time to try on different identities and see what 'fits'. Not surprisingly, Nicholas, you're starting early, so you have time to try on a lot of things and see what works. You'll know by the time you have to commit. Until then, keep playing with it in your mind and see how it feels. And maybe get some volunteer positions that will expose you to some real world stuff, like being in a hospital.

I'm a Princeton man myself (although I got into Yale), and if you work hard and stay focused, show real self discipline and get all A's, good SAT's, I am absolutely convinced my old 13 friend, that the admissions board at an Ivy will recognize the same abilities and qualities that are so evident now. Relatedly, if you are stellar academically, AND if you've got really neat, really important extra curriculars, then not only will they admit you, but they might even pay you, too ,with that scholarship!

You're on the right track here, Nick, just keep your eye on the ball, even when the 'sunshine' of adolescence temporarily blinds you.

[theOperaGhost]

How many years for a Ph. D.? It depends. I've heard on a good case scenario that a Bachelor's take 4 years, a master's takes another 2 years after a Bachelor's, and a Ph. D. is anywhere from 2 to 6 years after a Master's. Don't quote me on this, but it's what I've heard. I'm not really expecting to get my Bachelor's for about 5 years though.

Multiple degrees? Yes. I'm enrolled as a double major with a concentration in honors. I'm a music performance and a criminal justice major and I'm enrolled in the honors program. It is definitely possible, but you have to be very dedicated to it and it will take extra time.

A full-tuition scholarship? Possible, but hard to get. I have very good scholarships to the university I'm going to, in fact I have been awarded the highest award given by the music department. I will have tuition covered, but I will have to pay for some room and board. I had a chance at a full-tuition scholarship at a private college, which was a great amount of money, 90,000 dollars, but campus life would have cost me more than everything at the college I decided upon. I don't know anything about Ivy League schools though, so you've got a chance. Since you are young and seem to be quite dedicated to this, you definitely have the drive it takes to be awarded a full-tuition scholarship.

Good luck to you!!

[Oblivion]

Thanks everyone (:

Well i still have a year of middle school and 4 years of high school, so i guess i have a while (:

[Antares]

Yes you do have a while. My game plan is this.
Grade 1-7= Try lots of different things and see what you like
Grade 8-9= Take classes that generalize in the things that you like
Grade 10= Narrow your thoughts down into possible career options.
Grade 11= Lock in on a field or career and research like a mad man on it. Maybe get some training
Summer before senior year= APPLY FOR COLLEGES AND PROGRAMS
Grade 12= Relax in the breeze towards the end because you have gotten all of your apps done ahead of time and watch your friends stress out. Work.

Thats the way I am planning to do it. So far I have done all of that. The hardest part for me will be choosing but I do know that if I have to I can double major or change majors if I absolutely hate it.

Good luck man. Don't procrastinate senior and junior year.

[ShatteredWings]

John, i already know what i wanna do.. lol!