Common Questions
Common grad school questions
What is the typical timeline for a Ph.D.?
A Ph.D. program takes 5-6 years to finish on average. During that time, you will complete course work, choose a thesis lab, TA classes, pass a qualifying exam, and defend your thesis. Below is a typical graduate school timeline. Not all programs follow this exact layout; some differ on the amount of required teaching or the nature of the qualifying exam. Consider these differences when choosing between schools.
Year 1
- Take required core courses offered by your program.
- Complete three different lab rotations (one per quarter) and decide on a thesis lab.
- Participate and present in journal clubs.
Year 2
- Finish required core courses and take elective requirements.
- TA one or more classes (programs differ significantly on their teaching requirements, but usually they require one or two quarters).
- Research in your thesis lab.
- Present in journal clubs.
- Pass an oral qualifying exam (pitching a project proposal based on your current research) in order to be able to continue thesis research.
Year 3 – 5ish
- Continue thesis research and meet with your thesis committee yearly.
- Defend your thesis and graduate!
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In this section:
What educational options are available after college?
What is the typical timeline of a Ph.D.?
How do I make myself a competitive and attractive candidate?
When should I go to graduate school?
Do I really get paid to go to graduate school?
Should I contact faculty from programs I am interested in?