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

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the age at which individuals obtain or plan to obtain their Ph.D. in physics. Participants share their personal experiences and expectations, as well as inquire about statistical data related to Ph.D. completion ages.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants report obtaining their Ph.D. at age 28.
  • One participant expresses a desire to complete their Ph.D. by ages 26 or 27, depending on examination scheduling.
  • There is a query about the availability of statistics on Ph.D. completion ages from the American Institute of Physics (AIP).
  • Several participants share links to AIP statistics but note that specific age data may not be readily available.
  • A question is raised about how Ph.D. candidates who complete their degrees around age 35 are perceived by potential employers and academia.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants share individual experiences and expectations regarding Ph.D. completion ages, but there is no consensus on the implications of age on employability or the availability of specific statistical data.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the availability of specific age statistics from the AIP and the potential impact of age on career opportunities, indicating a lack of definitive information on these topics.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering or currently pursuing a Ph.D. in physics, as well as those interested in the demographics of Ph.D. completion in the field.

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
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Messages
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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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I was 28 when I obtained mine.

You do know that the AIP keeps statistics on this for physics PhDs right?
 
Last edited:
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?
 
I think it's better to get as soon as possible
 
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=aip+physics+phd"
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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:
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:
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... )
 
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?
 

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