Expenditure/earning during PhD in Physics

[arpit2agrawal]

Please somebody answer following questions about PhD Physics:
1. I suppose that maximum people's PhD education is funded, is this correct?
2. How much net expenditure one incurs during PhD or how much he earns during PhD studies (I even don't know that one incurs net expenditure or earns money), considering he gets RA or TA work during PhD?
3. I think one can complete PhD Physics even in 3 years duration if he is intelligent and fast enough, is this correct?

Thanks!

 

[Choppy]

Most of the time PhD stundents are given a stipend or scholarship. It will vary from school to school. Some top students with external awards can receive greater than $30k per year, but most are much less than that. Generally, it's enough money to offset tuition, pay for groceries and rent, and maybe the occasional weekend movie, but not much more.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'expenditure one incurs.' If you live the same lifestyle as you did when you were an undergrad, the costs are the same. Some exceptions might be that tuition is waved or offset, and most people who are on their parents' health plans until 25 while a students are suddenly off of those - so you have to start paying out of pocket for things like glassed and dentist visits.

Finally, it's possible to finish in 3 years, but I'm not sure time to finish inversely correlates with intelligence. The process can involve a lot of serendipity. I would expect to spend at least 4-5 years in a PhD program.

 

[arpit2agrawal]

Most of the time PhD stundents are given a stipend or scholarship. It will vary from school to school. Some top students with external awards can receive greater than $30k per year, but most are much less than that. Generally, it's enough money to offset tuition, pay for groceries and rent, and maybe the occasional weekend movie, but not much more.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'expenditure one incurs.' If you live the same lifestyle as you did when you were an undergrad, the costs are the same. Some exceptions might be that tuition is waved or offset, and most people who are on their parents' health plans until 25 while a students are suddenly off of those - so you have to start paying out of pocket for things like glassed and dentist visits.

Finally, it's possible to finish in 3 years, but I'm not sure time to finish inversely correlates with intelligence. The process can involve a lot of serendipity. I would expect to spend at least 4-5 years in a PhD program.

Thanks for the reply. It answers my all 3 questions. Please also tell me, if "it's enough money to offset tuition, pay for groceries and rent, and maybe the occasional weekend movie, but not much more." then how do parents doing PhD manage their family expenditure (considering a kid or 2 with parents)? Do they live an austere life?

 

[eri]

I've seen a few people raise a kid or two on a PhD's salary; they eat cheap food and don't go out much, and often live in the university's family housing because it's cheaper. You can do it, but it can be a stretch. Also, many universities will charge you fees each semester to cover things like health care, library, and gym membership, so keep that in mind - that can come to $3,000 a year, and tends to be the main reason some grad students in the sciences are still taking out loans. Especially if you have a car or kids to support.

If you're including the masters with the PhD, count on 4-8 years to complete (and I've seen smart people take longer as well - it's not so much intelligence as it is the project you choose and how well it goes).

 

[G01]

Please somebody answer following questions about PhD Physics:
1. I suppose that maximum people's PhD education is funded, is this correct?

Yes, most physics PhD students are funded through TA's (1st-2nd year) and RA's later on. The amount will vary from school to school and depends on the cost of living in that area. Expect to live frugally, but you won't starve. I do not have a family of my own, so I can't comment on how easy it is to support a family.

2. How much net expenditure one incurs during PhD or how much he earns during PhD studies (I even don't know that one incurs net expenditure or earns money), considering he gets RA or TA work during PhD?

I live in a high cost of living city with 2 other roommates. I live cheap most of the time. This year, I've managed to save a little bit of money, but I do not count on this happening every year. The universities adjust stipends to be exactly what you need, not a cent more! Expect to break even, as far as income, expenses, and savings go. (i.e. You're not going to be able to start a retirement plan!)

3. I think one can complete PhD Physics even in 3 years duration if he is intelligent and fast enough, is this correct?

Coming from a bachelors program, you should expect to devote 5-6 years to the Ph.D.

 

[arpit2agrawal]

Thank you guys.

 

[arpit2agrawal]

I am an Indian computer engineer and will be applying for PhD in Physics in USA. Can I do part-time job in a software company during my PhD in Physics? Will there be any issue with visa and all?

 

[Vanadium 50]

It depends on the kind of visa you get. More to the point, if you are trying to get a PhD part time, expect it to take a very long time.

 

[Vanadium 50]

Oh, one more thing - grad student stipends are really intended to support only one person, not a family.