======= Date Modified 31 28 2009 23:28:44 =======
======= Date Modified 31 26 2009 23:26:38 =======
Hi guys,

I currently coming to the end of my 1st year in a Phd (about to do my 9 month assessment) and I've decided that academia is just not for me. My work has actually been going really well, I've got some good data and I've already written up the first bit of my thesis and some initial analysis....but I just really don't want to be doing this anymore.

If I'm honest, I jsut want to quit cold turkey, but I suggested that I stay and finish next year and hand in a thesis in June for an MPhil. I'm currently applying to study graduate medicine so I wouldn't mind continuing for another year if I got something out of it (although I'm not really that bothered either way). However, my supervisor said I should try and complete my PhD in two years (and write a whole load of papers) but this would mean I would miss the start of med school so its not an option....The whole research group are being really horrible now (I understand why, but at the end of the day, its my life, and life is short!)

Does anyone know what happens if you down-grade from a PhD to an MPhil if you are research council funded? or if you just quit?

Any help that anyone can give me will be really gratefully received!

Hi there,

there is very little the research council can or will do if you drop out. I think in extreme circumstances students can be asked to pay back money. I could be wrong but I would think this is for cases where there is clear evidence the student has made no effort to do any work what so ever in the first year of their PhD or they drop out shortly after being payed the monthly or termly stipend

If you are considering grad medicine, a PhD can really work in your favour. I know a few people doing grad medicine and quite a high percentage of them have PhD. I think grad medicine course admissions people will favour students with PhDs as these are people who have clear evidence of their ability to solve problems/ be analytical/ study and work independently/ communicate well. Depending on the grad medicine course, you can expect very little formal teaching, hence why PhD candidates are often favoured. In other words expect a lot of DIY Medicine!!

However, if you are truly unhappy then you may be as well leaving. If you have good undergraduate grades and good references then there is no reason why you wouldnt get onto a goood grad medicine course. You can always do research when you qualify as a Doctor so you wont be closing off any doors by dropping out.

Ive dropped out of a PhD a couple of years ago and will soon be starting a traineeship in medical physics, but im also consideing grad medicine as well.

I hope this helps. drop me a mail if you need any further advice

rjb

I left a research council PhD 13 years ago. I didn't have to repay anything back from the time I was a student. No sanctions were taken against me. It did have consequences for subsequent research council funding, when I applied for a part-time (totally opposite discipline) PhD 6 years ago. The second funding form asked me to declare if I'd received prior funding. The second research council reserved the right to reduce any subsequent funding I received accordingly. I declared my previous round of funding, but because it was a totally different discipline and because I'd dropped out before due to serious illness I don't think it caused any problems and I got full funding again. And I've nearly finished.

I agree that PhDs can be a benefit to medical professionals. Even people who are qualified doctors often pay dearly to do a separate PhD. If you could finish your PhD before starting the medical school (can't you delay starting medical school by a year?) that might be something in your favour. But if you're very unhappy definitely feel free to quit.

Thankyou so much for your replies.

It makes me feel so much better to here that there are other people who drop out and go on to do other things successfully!

I was planning on doing this PhD as a route to medicine, but it has turned into something that I'm not at all interested in and it's just making me unhappy. However, I would feel really guilty just quitting so I think (if my supervisor will let me) I will prob try and keep going for another year to get an MPhil. Is there anyone who has changed to an MPhil? How "easy" is it wrt funding?

It's great to hear someone else thinking about grad medicine too! I'm having a bit of a night mare trying to get references (cos my supervisor probably wouldn't give me the best reference just now) but other than that Im so excited about the idea of just going for the application and getting into a place where I really want to be!

Cheers so much for your help guys!

I think it would help no end if you could get an MPhil so it is worth a shot. It would be largely down to your supervisor and degree committee to decide whether or not you are allowed to register for an MPhil but sure there is no harm in asking!!