I have officially bailed. No more PhD program.

It sounds like you made a good decision. Despite that, I imagine that there's a bit of saddness connected to this. Having withdrawn from a program myself I don't mind saying that I felt bad about not being able to finish something that I started.

Here's an idea that I've been courting: We've all heard about the legendary delays in the UNISA system. Everything is reputed to move at a glacial pace. There might be a way to use this to your (my) advantage. Since we're super-busy maybe all the lag times (for example, between sumission of a draft and the considered response) we can be about our other business. The low cost of the program makes an extended enrollment almost a non-issue. In short, I'm thinking about the idea that the slowness of a UNISA degree program could be turned into an advantage for people who want the degree but have even less than the usual amount of available time.

It's just a thought. Good luck with your business.

 

I agree. When are we going to start betting on this? I will pick...the fall of 2010 there will be a "I re-enrolled" post or something like that. Just keep calling him Dr. Oliver and it will happen

 

Oh the siren call, I'm feeling weak...weak...weak

 

You nailed me on that one. I have been sitting around really depressed for the past two days, even though I feel I made the right decision.

UNISA, huh? South Africa, right? I don't know much about it.

 

The legendary delays are one thing, but I don't have so many buckets of blood to vomit. Filling up their application form and getting a response is a challenge. Try calling them and getting the right department is another challenge. I think they should at least give us a diploma just for succeeding in getting through the application.

 

I don't know when you had the time to do the PhD! You already had two jobs and were doing effectively a third in the form of a PhD! If the latter was a business, you would have ditched it as uneconomical at the outset.

There is almost an addictive quality to degrees and we can assume that education has to be wrapped in a bureaucracy and quality control before it is valid. How much formal education is enough and how can we continue informal learning? Lifelong learning is healthy, perhaps obsessing about measuring accomplishments, which really a degree is all about, is not healthy, past a certain point.

The question is at what point do we switch more to the informal? I guess this question is wrapped up in occupational, lifestyle needs, and, of course, money. A highly individual question which I suspect that you have well answered.

I am thinking that a "Great Books" Program might be better for me that an relentless pursuit of a qualification beyond the two Masters, BS, and Post Grad Diploma that I already possess. At my age, it would be for self satisfaction only to go that extraordinary extra yard to get the PhD with a thesis that very few people will read. Perhaps it is better to do some community projects and seek to publish some articles in professional journals or conferences? You do tired of examinations and papers on topics that you don't like that accomnpany the formal process.

 

....(sigh) You're right. But there IS that addiction factor. I've got the shakes now and I'm seeing pink elephants walking around on my kitchen table.

 

From my experience in the UK anything research based is highly dependent on the advisor. For example I had recently the case that a business school informed about a research degree (Master by Research) only if specifically asked for it. It was nowhere mentioned on their official website and the only way finding out about it was by contacting the research office. Also the terms (e.g. in how far any residency requirements are there) are at most institutions to be negotiated between the student and the advisor.
It's mostly about browsing faculty member profiles, finding someone active in the specific area and approaching them in how far they are interested in an idea and willing to negotiate a by-distance-setting. From my personal experience many react quite positive if one is willing to make an effort to get to know them a bit, e.g. to meet them at a conference etc. But of cause personal relationship as the central theme has, as in many other cases, both positive and negative aspects. On the other hand, in a situation like Michael's, where there might be already something research worthy and a high personal interest/involvement - being able to focus exclusively on it and not having to plow through endless coursework, could be a good option.

 

Michael - You may need to conserve some energy as elephants require cleanup. Go to bed. It will all still be there tomorrow. K

 

I hope that your new venture proves to be wildly successful. I also hope that your decision will not prevent you from posting more of your thought provoking questions here

 

Thanks Dr. P and Kizmet for the kind words. And yes, I had to clean up after the pink elephants.

 

I think you did the right thing. It's awfully hard to justify that kind of time and expense. In a few days you will realize that you are less stressed, making more money, and seeing important people in your life more often. Since you already have a secure job it's smooth sailing from here.

 

Thanks for the encouragement. I have been depressed, but I think I did the right thing. I'll get over it.

 

Just remember that you can always go back or enroll in Aspen U and still earn an accredited doctorate (lot less money). I think once the doctoral education bug bites you it is hard to ever get over it until you earn the degree. So, try the path you are on for a while and if that works fine and if you decide to try more doctoral work on the side, go for it.

 

Thanks, you are probably right.

 

I tend to agree - Dr Oliver, ops sorry, Mr Oliver will return...

 

Michael,
Read what is in my signature line - they are great words!

"You're neither right nor wrong because other people agree with you. You're right because your facts are right and your reasoning is right-and that's the only thing that makes you right. And if your facts and reasoning are right, you don't have to worry about anybody else." - Benjamin Graham

 

Very good words. Thank you. That Benny G. was a smart guy!

 

Will we see our dearest Moderator starting to itch. First by taking ONLY one single course and slowly goes on to finish a Semester and once again a Doctoral candidate?

 

Oh - I can see it happening.