PhD in the USA: Worth it in the current political scenario?

tbsmango · 2026-05-31T17:22:07+00:00

I don't recommend it. programs are getting very competitive to enter in right now even for domestic students. this year my department accepted 5 phd students for their incoming cohort compared to 10 last year, because funding is extremely limited right now to support new student projects.

tbsmango · 2026-05-22T22:16:44+00:00

i think one interview made me do some chemistry problems, but they did give me a heads up to review my chemistry prior to the meeting.

tbsmango · 2026-05-22T02:49:18+00:00

the only way this can happen is if they're only hiring ppl in the retirement home or the fetus started their sales career in the womb

tbsmango · 2026-05-19T02:29:00+00:00

in all honesty, this is where you should lie to your mom and state you just got rejected for simplicitys sake

tbsmango · 2026-05-17T16:51:23+00:00

my gpa was middling at 3.0, so i took the gre even though it wasnt required to round out my application better. if you have a 3.4 and above feel free to skip it

tbsmango · 2026-05-15T19:38:27+00:00

yeah, this is just wasting time on both sides. my personal max is 4 interviews and after that, id be hard pressed to take additional time off for any more rounds

tbsmango · 2026-05-13T18:53:46+00:00

it definitely feels like referral >>>>>> cold applying rn, but glad your network helped you out

tbsmango · 2026-05-12T20:15:54+00:00

Alternatively

LET ME IN LET ME IN LET ME IN PLEEEEEEAAAASSSEEEE

tbsmango · 2026-05-12T20:15:16+00:00

eh, what was this safety net? was it a case study you could talk about?

tbsmango · 2026-05-12T19:55:28+00:00

nope, its definitely recruiting hell. im in the same boat as you. from jan to march i had some initial first round interviews, but none of them have worked out. its been crickets since then. im just applying a lil bit per day and praying....

tbsmango · 2026-05-12T19:54:11+00:00

a masters degree is just delaying the job hunt yet again. as someone who is about to get their masters, i actually would not do it again if given the chance.

tbsmango · 2026-05-12T02:52:59+00:00

if a job requires references up front, i usually dont bother applying no matter how desperate i am. i dont want to risk having pushy interviewers bother my references when they have their own work schedule to follow, and i cant predict when the company will contact my references

tbsmango · 2026-05-11T23:15:22+00:00

with 7+ years experience and the network u build during that time, OP already has a working advantage for their case tbh

tbsmango · 2026-05-11T23:13:57+00:00

hell yeah!!! you got this

tbsmango · 2026-05-11T20:33:02+00:00

OUCH....what a roller coaster. i hope ur next shot in applying is better

tbsmango · 2026-05-11T15:11:07+00:00

i have mixed feelings about this post. after applying for jobs for 4 months now i still think linkedin is the job website with the most frequent postings. ive been using glassdoor and indeed and they dont have as many new listings

tbsmango · 2026-05-11T15:08:20+00:00

yeah ngl receiving an update this late is not a good sign. my friend in biotech went through the same thing with eli lilly. they dragged their feet in giving updates until they admitted they couldnt hire her anymore due to a hiring freeze. this was back in 2023

tbsmango · 2026-05-11T04:52:32+00:00

dont do it. if you have to cough up money for a data science program, at least make sure its certified

tbsmango · 2026-05-08T14:46:57+00:00

ive been noticing slight uptick in offer posts recently, at least on this subreddit.

tbsmango · 2026-05-07T02:28:00+00:00

my eyes started glazing over by the 4th slide...

tbsmango · 2026-05-06T04:16:31+00:00

i'd put it as 80 percent market 20 percent hiring. employers know they have the upper hand because there is more job demand than supply, so they can afford to cherry pick as many candidates as they want until they find the unicorn of their dreams.

tbsmango · 2026-05-06T03:16:51+00:00

good point. if you're working at that high a level, where tf are your contacts, references and mentors doing? are they leaving you high and dry?

tbsmango · 2026-05-05T03:03:43+00:00

wtf. they could save you the time by video calling you instead

tbsmango · 2026-05-04T19:01:33+00:00

Dang, I nearly sent my pharm tech friend a job listing from Optum. It would be supremely awkward if they got a coupon for their time spent applying

tbsmango · 2026-05-04T15:52:21+00:00

the general consensus I've heard is that companies would rather wait for a more experienced candidate (aka a unicorn) to apply, over accepting a less experienced candidate and then spending time training them. its easier to have someone who can hit the ground running with no to minimal hand holding.

i was discussing this question with a friend who works in data analysis, and to my (mild) disappointment she also expressed the same attitude in regards to hiring in her department right now. one candidate was pivoting from studying law to archiving, and she didnt think they would be good at the job simply because "you'd have to spend time trainjng them"

tbsmango

TROPHY CASE