Grad student?

Question

Hi ladies! Anyone in grad school?  How long did you take leave? How was your advisor/program?

I'm a first year phd student in science, due next Aug. My school does not have maternity leave.  I'm debating taking a leave of absence next fall. My husband would support us.  But getting a PhD takes long enough! Thoughts?

Answer

Can I just congratulate you on starting a family while in science, it's one of my biggest worries going into medicine. You go girl 👏👏👏

Answer

Just finished my PhD in genetics. Took me 6 years. I got pregnant in February and defended in September (baby was born in October). It worked out for me, but I was at the end of my program. Take the time off to study for your qualifying exam, and possibly start writing a paper. Good luck!!!

Answer

I'm a third year med student and we don't get leave either. Because of the schedule for applying for residency (our equivalent of post doc, sort of, I guess?) my school is pressuring me to take a year off. I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet and may wing it based on how I'm feeling through pregnancy. I hate to make it take any longer but I don't want to accidentally wind up owing tuition money for taking an unexpected midsemester leave. Definitely figure out what the financial and health care consequences might be because I know they come into play for some people.

Answer

I am not a grad student anymore but junior faculty. I always felt the situation with grad students' status is a bit messed up - you are not an "employee" but you sort of are. In most places, arrangements are arbitrary. The key is to talk with your thesis advisor and figure out the possibilities. I know many students who stayed home and worked on writing, though given your timeline it may be a bit early for you. Or do some computational work, data analysis. Stipends are a separate issue - you will need to negotiate with your advisor on that. If it turns out to be problematic, you may need to find an advocate such as another faculty member, department chair, Dean etc. In any case, you are not alone at all. This happens all the time. Good luck!

Answer

Hi there! I'm in my third and last year of le school right now! A much shorter program than anything science related but a struggle none the less! We're putting off babies for about five more years but so no any of my classmates have children now and they seem to really like it! You can always miss a class while in school and teachers understand way more than bosses!

Answer

Me...gonna have a Masters by the end of next month!  This thesis crap sux!!!!!!!

Answer

I'm in law school. There are so many students that have children, and I think it my husband and I can do it.

Grad student?

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