Going after a PhD

[Gnarwhal]

Okay, admittedly it's early to be thinking about this but I haven't been able to help it. I'm more or less a "non-traditional student" with a very rocky background thus far in college. Even though I'm 27 I'm still working on my General Education at the local community college, I'm currently only part-time but I'm stepping it up to full-time in the fall. My cumulative GPA since 2005 amounts to a 2.31 - embarrassingly low. Despite my passion for learning, I've always struggled with a lot of these general ed courses.

That all being said, I'm getting laid off this month and am seizing the opportunity to throw myself completely into school. Meaning I'm hoping to graduate with my BA in three years, around 2017. At that point, I want to go straight into a PhD program, either Comparative Literature or Theology/Religious Studies. I would like to instruct at the college or university level and/or perhaps enter ministry. Realistically speaking, are my odds pretty grim at getting accepted into a reputable PhD program?

I was reading through an FAQ on the Comparative Religions page on my local university's website, the author (a professor on faculty in the CR department) cited statistics that said 60-70% of doctoral candidates don't finish the program and realistically never belonged in graduate school, 10% are meant to be there and earn their degree and the remainder are "wild cards" who may or may not belong there and may or may not earn their degree.

If there are any doctoral candidates/graduates out there, I would really appreciate any insight, suggestions or advice about pursuing a PhD.

I've seriously been questioning why I want it, and the reasons come down to:

1. I want to gain the most expertise possible on either of those subjects, because I'm passionate about both.

2. I would like to teach at the university level.

3. I love to write, especially about subjects I learn about - so authoring papers or books would be an exciting endeavor for me and it would certainly be better if I had some measure of academic authority to speak on the subject.

Anyway... all input welcome, thanks folks!

 

[1watchman]

The GPA shows you are not a good candidate for grad school. Maybe spending your money on a technical trade would be a better choice for your future ---one can always minister some place if they learn their Bible.

 

[Gnarwhal]

The GPA shows you are not a good candidate for grad school. Maybe spending your money on a technical trade would be a better choice for your future ---one can always minister some place if they learn their Bible.

Not now, no. I still have about two and a half to three years of undergraduate work left, which I think is a good amount of time to raise my GPA - plus I'm retaking courses with low grades in an effort to expunge those low grades from my record.

I'm an academic at heart, I'm not built for trade schools. Despite my low GPA (which is largely owed to poor chases I made many years ago—7-8 years ago—when I first started college) I love the world of academia and I love to learn.

 

[dysert]

I say, pursue your dream. A lot can happen in three years. Doors may open up, or they may slam shut. At this point, though, keep thinking the big thoughts and strive to do the best you can getting your undergrad degree. I think once that's out of the way you'll have a much better idea what to tackle next. Good luck!

 

[parsley]

I love the world of academia and I love to learn.

Go to HigherEdJobs.com, and look at the range of staff, non-faculty jobs. There are many opportunities to be immersed in academia without another decade of studies. And you will continue to learn, because these jobs involve continued improvement of systems and solutions.

I would like to instruct at the college or university level

Go to the Chronicle of Higher Education and type in an article search on adjuncts. Loosely half of college faculty these days work on contract, and are not allowed to exceed part-time status. Many contingent faculty have PhD's and published research. The competition for full-time teaching jobs makes it not worth devoting so many years to that hope. If you end up there after taking another route, that would be great. But these days it's almost as difficult as wanting to be a famous dancer, or playing for the NFL. The odds make it not feasible.

and/or perhaps enter ministry.

There are ministers who did not complete an MDiv -- some work at non-denominational churches.

You might also look into chaplain field -- hospitals, universities, and military groups need chaplains. The military seems to cap people at 35, so this could be a perfect time to look into it.

Also, the larger ministries need managers and all sorts of people to carry out work. Samaritan's Purse has centers around the world, collection and distribution of the shoebox gifts... lots of types of jobs connected to their ministry. That's just one -- there are many large ministries. And microfinance companies that get involved in ministry.

Go to ChristianJobs.com and see what types of jobs are out there. This is a time where short increments of training will help you brace yourself for sudden changes in the economy.