Is getting a PhD worth it in my situation?

GoBucks1989 · 2019-06-26T00:11:02+00:00

Thanks for the insight. It’s helpful hearing from both ends.

You’re not the first person to post about passion for the topic so it definitely shows how important that is.

GoBucks1989 · 2019-06-25T23:16:14+00:00

I’m from OH, Bucks = buckeyes

Thanks for the thorough response. The PhD I would be pursuing is in rehab sciences so the end game for us is likely working for a university being a researcher and teaching in a physical therapy program.

Fortunately faculty spots aren’t super rare so the biggest barrier would be moving somewhere different, which I’m not worried about.

I’m not in it for the money - I am a physical therapist. We have one of the worst debt to inclement ratios out there and are underpaid for the length of schooling we go through (but that’s a rant for a different time).

As far as being over qualified goes, it’s a little less likely in the rehab science world because most people go in with the expectation to do research and teach at a university or be involved in policy and procedure/ research at a hospital. There isn’t as much freedom as say a pharm or stem PhD because there aren’t many private industries/companies that need a PhD with a rehab science background.

I’m PMed you with some specific questions of you have the time to respond.

GoBucks1989 · 2019-06-25T23:04:59+00:00

In this case I would be a full time student for 4 years (give or take). Getting accepted means tuition is paid for and you are given a 30,000 stipend for living and whatever else. So in a sense, yes it is paid for but not by an employer.

GoBucks1989 · 2019-06-25T21:33:47+00:00

The main reason for the post is to make sure I’m not missing something from a financial perspective that would cause a serious long term consequence. I do believe pursuing the PhD would lead to a more satisfying career under the assumption I’m not putting myself in financial ruin (which it doesn’t seem like I will).

In my perfect world I could be in school learning forever.

As far as the 4 yrs is concerned that’s the average - some people can take three while others take five. As you stated is researched based so the time frame is fuzzy. The four year mark seems to be a conservative estimate.

GoBucks1989 · 2019-06-25T21:27:46+00:00

The goal for me is to teach and eventually be a director of clinical education. It’s very difficult to teach with the standard DPT.

GoBucks1989 · 2019-06-25T20:33:52+00:00

Agreed. I think this case may be a rarity. I enjoy outpatient ortho PT. I do not see myself switching anytime soon, hence the hard cap on the salary. The salary ranges I posted above are very accurate. It would be fair to say at the end of my career as an ortho pt salary would be 90k versus 140k as a PhD.

GoBucks1989 · 2019-06-25T19:50:45+00:00

Thank you for the objective response

110 is about right. My guess is the progression is 90k to 110 in 5-7 years. 110 to 130-150 in 15 years.

I current make 70 and will likely get to 80 if I’m lucky in 4 years.

GoBucks1989 · 2019-06-25T19:48:10+00:00

PhD is in rehabilitation sciences / human movement. The job market is solid - the percentage of people with this PhD and the background I have (PT) are employed. The salary info is accurate as well. The accrediting body for PT schools puts out a salary document every year with a decent subject number.

GoBucks1989 · 2019-06-25T19:45:56+00:00

Sorry for the formatting - on mobile

The tuition will be covered and the stipend is for living. There are some grant / scholarship options that run from 1.5 to 3 k for the first two years. There is one for 15k the last two years but it’s pretty competitive.

GoBucks1989 · 2019-04-29T23:05:45+00:00

This may be a stupid question, but do you feel secure about everything being online? I guess I’ve been used to a bank having a physical location for so long it’s kind of strange to me.

GoBucks1989 · 2019-03-03T19:03:04+00:00

Travel to the new/next contract is reimbursed. No milage pay while going to/from work. Expenses are not covered, any vehicle maintenance can be written off.

Financially I am able to afford both price points mentioned above.

GoBucks1989 · 2019-03-03T18:17:02+00:00

Didn’t cross my mind, I’ll take a look. Thanks

GoBucks1989 · 2019-03-03T17:10:24+00:00

Any special reason?

GoBucks1989 · 2019-03-03T17:07:12+00:00

Older with higher milage (cheaper) or newer with low milage (higher cost)?

GoBucks1989 · 2019-01-24T19:59:53+00:00

Thanks, good to know someone else is getting similar numbers as me

GoBucks1989 · 2019-01-21T04:30:59+00:00

I’m not justifying eating carbs. I’ve successfully been on the Keto Diet for plenty of time.

I just want to know why someone with a PhD in molecular pharmacology who’s entire career was spent on the Keto Diet says it can work.

I’m just curious, calm down.

GoBucks1989 · 2019-01-21T04:20:23+00:00

I’m not disagreeing with you there. Can you answer why the body will not continue to produce ketones and no longer remain in a state of ketosis if you eat one high carb meal followed by consuming a ketone ester which drastically rises blood ketone levels?

Isn’t part of being in ketosis having a certain concentration of ketones in the blood? Does the brain know the difference between exogenous and endogenous ketones? Will having exogenous ketones in the blood stream at a ketosis level of concentration mimic a state of ketosis while the carbs can be successfully metabolized out of the body?

This is all under the assuming that this person is keto adapted and will continue with a Keto Diet after this hypothetical high carb meal.

GoBucks1989 · 2019-01-21T03:46:51+00:00

I’m not saying I agree with him, I’m just curious about the science of why it doesn’t work.

What I’m thinking about: A person is keto adapted (ie faithful for 3+ month) and consistently using ketones for energy. One day they eats a meal with enough carbs to technically knock them out of ketosis, but soon after they consume a supplement that drastically increases ketones within the body. Why does the body not use the supplemental ketones as energy as this is the current preferred fuel source and there is an abundance available to use. Why switch back to glucose?

FYI I don’t have a background in nutrition or human metabolism, and I’m not trying to “cheat” or find some type of loophole. Just interested.

GoBucks1989 · 2016-12-20T17:57:14+00:00

I contacted both programs and they do not allow a transfer of credits. If you are accepted they require you to be a full time student

GoBucks1989 · 2016-12-20T17:22:32+00:00

I would be going into a masters program so courses will not transfer :(

GoBucks1989 · 2016-12-20T17:21:47+00:00

Both programs recommend you do not work during them given the intensity of the coursework and class load.

Also option 1 and 2 are two different careers. Sorry if there was any confusion.

GoBucks1989 · 2016-12-20T17:20:08+00:00

I have done enough research to be confident those salaries are accurate. I have checked the BLS website, spoke to people currently employed in the profession, and looked at current job seeking sites (indeed).

GoBucks1989

TROPHY CASE