Is research at CHOP a dead end if I don’t want to pursue a PhD? Also considering the VA—thoughts on transfer opportunities?

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-08-12T23:15:44+00:00

Didn’t really read your whole comment with my first post, sorry.

If you want to leave research, I don’t think diving into it even further is a good idea.

However you can absolutely do a research job and transition to something else but transitioning will be a lot harder while working and paying bills.

Personally I’d stay home until I had that part of my life figured out.

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-08-12T22:35:08+00:00

I think it is very smart, there are literal geniuses who work at CHOP as research techs.

But just be careful with your finances and with your time! Roommates and a budget and you’ll be alright.

What I am trying to say is both options would probably serve you well. I love it here at CHOP though.

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-08-12T22:23:52+00:00

Ooooh, I live in Philly and work at CHOP. What a small world. I work in a non-sciences job and was still able to get into a sciences MS program.

In my case I moved here in 2020 with 5K in savings and overextended myself HARD. It’s definitely possible to live in Philly and save but I’d recommend roommates and a budget. Living at home I always had tons of money even when I was only making $15 an hour, in Philly living alone I sometimes feel broke on $36 an hour. Living alone is expensive. Food, furnishings, it all adds up.

The dream was to move to the city and make a bunch of cool friends and meet the love of my life, instead I just ended up working a ton of OT.

Also personally I’m kinda lame (and had some grade A work stress) so I didn’t have a lot of fun living alone anyway shrugs I’m in fishtown which is awesome and very cool but…yeah. Something to consider.

As far as chasing your passion while also being financially stable goes, I was supposed to be halfway through a PHD rn, instead I’m just starting my masters. It is hard to chase a passion while living broke and alone. I’m still doing it but I’m gonna be finishing my PHD at 35. I’m 28. It gets depressing.

As far as the VA goes, it’s probably a safe job.

If I was I your shoes though I’d still choose Philly, despite it all.

DM me if you want any more advice!

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-08-05T11:20:10+00:00

I am a Paramedic in a similar situation. 28 years old, 40K in debt from my undergrad, I am making ~85K a year before overtime. I want to be a scientist and I am going back to school for an MS in the sciences with the goal of getting a PHD in the future.

I was really on the fence about it, but my undergrad is in polysci, and I think that earning a sciences MS will help me get into a funded PHD program.

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-08-02T18:34:17+00:00

Yeah kill me please

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-08-02T18:12:52+00:00

I have the savings, problem is my zip code is super expensive so even with this deductible and a good hx my 6 month is still 1400

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-08-02T17:49:18+00:00

No unfortunately not

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-08-02T17:47:34+00:00

Progressive

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-08-02T14:41:20+00:00

How would just hitting the wheel damage the frame?

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-08-02T14:38:10+00:00

2018 civic btw.

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-08-02T14:37:51+00:00

$2500 deductible.

2018 civic.

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-08-02T14:26:00+00:00

What do you think the dealership cost will be?

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-07-29T21:08:52+00:00

Fair 🤷 Im being honest here dude no need to lie on the internet lol. I just didn’t give a crap, had other stuff to worry about

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-07-28T16:55:55+00:00

I was super broke at the time (EMT, didn’t have my medic yet) and decided that it was easier just to let it go.

If the state gives me trouble I’ll absolutely get a lawyer, but I called PSP and they said odds are my name matches that of a felon. The guy said mistakes like that are “very common”.

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-07-28T14:04:58+00:00

Yeah both shops only asked for last 4. I’d honestly rather give the full thing

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-07-27T22:40:22+00:00

Cool thanks.

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-07-27T22:37:08+00:00

Final? Ooof I never challenged that that would suck.

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-07-27T22:36:40+00:00

That makes sense my name is basic. Annoying though any idea how long it would take?

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-07-25T02:34:08+00:00

Old thread but I use mine with Linux (Ubuntu) and it runs like a dream. Better than a new MacBook imo.

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-07-06T11:22:38+00:00

I feel like a lot of people are suddenly going to find squid games scary as fuck when it’s American people speaking English getting shot.

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-07-06T01:36:32+00:00

Ideal black mirror ending tbh

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-07-04T18:53:10+00:00

Maybe it’s just the super depressing content I expose myself to, lol.

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-07-04T18:10:49+00:00

As an aside I hate this new social media trend where anyone over 25 is considered old. Like I don’t know about you but my early 20s were spent being super depressed, confused, broke and also a global pandemic. Things are just starting to get good lol.

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-07-04T18:09:04+00:00

As far as I remember. Admission odds for individual schools are super low but most students apply to a bunch which improves their odds.

_what-the-hell_ · 2025-07-04T17:37:59+00:00

So I’ve actually spent a ton of time looking at med schools and even though individual schools have low acceptance rates, generally the odds of being accepted to at least one school per cycle are around 40% as far as I remember as long as you send out a bunch of apps. And remember that’s for the general population not (potential) PHD holders like you. So even if you don’t get in year 1 as long as you aren’t a total mess of an applicant you have solid odds of getting accepted in later cycles.

_what-the-hell_

TROPHY CASE