At what age did you obtain/ plan to obtain Ph.d.

In summary, the age at which physics PhDs obtain their degree affects how employers view them and how academia views their achievements. Some doors are closed due to an age, but many are still open.

What age did you get / plan to get ph.d.

  • 20 or younger

    Votes: 4 8.7%
  • 21

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 22

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 23

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 24

    Votes: 1 2.2%
  • 25

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 26

    Votes: 4 8.7%
  • 27

    Votes: 5 10.9%
  • 28

    Votes: 5 10.9%
  • 29

    Votes: 9 19.6%
  • 30

    Votes: 5 10.9%
  • 31

    Votes: 1 2.2%
  • 32

    Votes: 2 4.3%
  • 33

    Votes: 2 4.3%
  • 34

    Votes: 1 2.2%
  • 35

    Votes: 2 4.3%
  • 36

    Votes: 2 4.3%
  • 37

    Votes: 1 2.2%
  • 38 or 39

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 40 or older

    Votes: 2 4.3%

  • Total voters
    46
  • #1
causalset
73
0
To those of you in physics, what age did you obtain ph.d. ? And to those of you who didn't get ph.d. yet, what age do you anticipate in getting it?
 
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  • #2
I was 28 when I obtained mine.

You do know that the AIP keeps statistics on this for physics PhDs right?
 
Last edited:
  • #3
Norman said:
I was 28 when I obtained mine.

You do know that the AIP keeps statistics on this for physics PhDs right?

I didn't know about it. Can you give me a link?
 
  • #4
I think it's better to get as soon as possible
 
  • #5
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=aip+physics+phd"
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #6
Zubin said:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=aip+physics+phd"

Well, google search gives all sorts of things, and when I looked none of them gave me the age statistics I was looking for.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #7
Zubin said:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=aip+physics+phd"

That's not necessary, or helpful.

http://www.aip.org/statistics/

There's the AIP statistics page, but I didn't see anything about ages. It's possible you can dig something up on that site with the search function, though. At least it's a place to start.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #8
DarrenM said:
That's not necessary, or helpful.

http://www.aip.org/statistics/

There's the AIP statistics page, but I didn't see anything about ages. It's possible you can dig something up on that site with the search function, though. At least it's a place to start.

Only that
http://www.aip.org/statistics/trends/highlite/emp/figure14.htm

Helpful site though, if I confront the medium salaries of Ph.D graduates with ones from Italy I get depressed :(

Anyway I plan to finish as 26/27 years old (depending on when will be the examination. In fact I get the grant to the day before my 27 birthday, but I cannot decide the examination day! ;) Could be a couple of month before or a couple months later... )
 
  • #9
How are PhD's that finished their studies at ages around 35 viewed upon by potential employers/academia? Are some of the doors closed due to one's age or at least significantly harder to crack open?
 

1. At what age did you obtain your Ph.D.?

The age at which individuals obtain their Ph.D. can vary greatly. Some may obtain it in their mid-twenties, while others may not get it until their forties or even later. It ultimately depends on the individual's educational journey and career goals.

2. Is there a recommended age to obtain a Ph.D.?

There is no specific age that is recommended for obtaining a Ph.D. It is more important to focus on whether the individual is ready and prepared for the rigorous academic and research requirements of a Ph.D. program.

3. How long does it take to obtain a Ph.D.?

The length of time it takes to obtain a Ph.D. can vary depending on the individual's program, research topic, and progress. On average, it takes about 5-7 years to complete a Ph.D. program, but some may finish in less time while others may take longer.

4. Can I obtain a Ph.D. later in life?

Yes, it is possible to obtain a Ph.D. at any age. Many individuals pursue a Ph.D. later in life after gaining work experience or changing career paths. As long as the individual is dedicated and motivated, they can successfully complete a Ph.D. program at any age.

5. What are the benefits of obtaining a Ph.D. at a younger/older age?

The benefits of obtaining a Ph.D. at a younger age may include having more time to establish a career and being able to use the degree for a longer period of time. On the other hand, obtaining a Ph.D. at an older age may bring a wealth of life experience and maturity to the research and academic work.

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