Yeah, you're damn right.

Crazy thing is while they are a lot of guys who want to make a PhD and who look desperately for a place I received myself two pretty trustworthy offers.

But guess it makes no sense if you are not committed.

As I even have a kind of job perspective the only hurdle left is a diplomatic mission to my parents, destroying their dreams of having another egghead in the family. Well, I guess every family needs its black sheep...

Thanks for you comments

@golfpro
Well I did a search but I found only the eternally recurring mantras telling you what your motivation SHOULD be like. So I was curious if they match to reality.

I don't get rid of the impression that a lot of guys slither more or less voluntarily into a PhD program because the lack sound alternatives/ideas for how to continue otherwise.

Could imaginge that katq's statement is a pretty rare exception when compared to the majority of PhD students.

I finished my master's degree in biology this year and I opted for not continuing with a PhD because I found something more interesting to me.

But still I'm curious. While I had been contemplating about whether to go for a PhD or not I stumbled across so much negative comments that I wonder why so many still decide to do it.

So what is (or was) your motivation?
Is it the perspective of a better job afterwards, the fascination for a specific academic field, the desire to broaden one's mind, or just a lack of alternatives that makes you opt for academia?

I would be nice to hear some statements from you...

I think the problem is that a lot of US-programms start at the Bachelor-level and lead directly to the PhD.
I'm trying at the moment if I can get an arrangement for being accepted on advanced standing with my Master's Degree.
But I guess I'll have to spend at least 4 years for the PhD. It's the question if this is worth the international experience. I hope so...

don't think my criteria are odd. What I hate about working long hours in a lab is the fact that it's cold and dark once you get out in the evening.
I'm about to finish my Master's degree in France and I realised that I was much more motivated in the warmer month than during winter times.

@ Stu
You're serious about the time difference between US and UK PhD programs? I thought it takes between 3 and 4 years in the UK and mostly 4 years in the US but I'm not sure?!

Does anybody know a good PhD/grad school website for the US?

I want to make my PhD in an English speaking country where I can still drive home in a Cadillac convertible without feeling cold when I leave the lab at 10 pm. Best would be if this climat is all year round.
UK and Canada are therefore not good places for me but I thought US might be fine.

@DanB.
Thanks, that's definitely a question that needs to be clarified in advance. I wasn't aware of that point.

@Stu

Didn't mean to bother you - but thanks for the replies anyway

"is that per month?"
NO, that's per week
no just kidding, but with 12k pound you're still better of than most French students

Yeah probably.
But I'm from continental Europe and even after conversion in EUR it sounds good. Here in France an average scholarship in my subject (molecular biology) is about 1100 EUR (~770 pound).

Hi, does anybody know if stipend support in the US is tax-free?
Some financial support offers seem just too great.