A.is the most frequent reason for dropping outB.is more……
TEXT A
Educators are seriously
concerned about the high rate of dropouts among the doctors of philosophy
candidates and the consequent loss of talent to a nation in need of Ph.D.s. Some
have placed the dropouts’ loss as high as 50 percent. The extent of the loss
was, however, largely a matter of expert guessing. Last week a well-rounded
study was published. It was published. It was based on 22,000 questionnaires
sent to former graduate students who were enrolled in 24 universities and it
seemed to show many past fears to be groundless.
The dropouts
rate was found to be 31 percent, and in most cases the dropouts, while not
completing the Ph.D. requirement, went on to productive work. They are not only
doing well financially, but, according to the report, are not far below the
income levels of those who went on to complete their doctorates.
Discussing the study last week, Dr. Tucker said the project was initiated
"because of the concern frequently expressed by graduate faculties and
administrators that some of the individuals who dropped out of Ph.D. programs
were capable of completing the requirement for the degree. Attrition at the
Ph.D. level is also thought to be a waste of precious faculty time and a drain
on university resources already being used to capacity. Some people expressed
the opinion that the shortage of highly trained specialists and college teachers
could be reduced by persuading the dropouts to return to graduate schools to
complete the Ph.D."
"The results of our research" Dr. Tucker
concluded, "did not support these opinions." Lack of motivation was the
principal reason for dropping out. Most dropouts went as far in their doctoral
program as was consistent with their levels of ability or their specialties.
Most dropouts are now engaged in work consistent with their education and
motivation.
Nearly 75 percent of the dropouts said there was no
academic reason for their decision, but those who mentioned academic reason
cited failure to pass the qualifying examination, uncompleted research and
failure to pass language exams. Among the single most important personal reasons
identified by dropouts for non-completion of their Ph.D. program, lack of
finances was marked by 19 percent.
As an indication of how well
the dropouts were doing, a chart showed 2% in humanities were receiving $20,000
and more annually while none of the Ph.D. s with that background reached this
figure. The Ph.D. s shone in the $7,500 to $15,000 bracket with 78% at that
level against 50% for the dropouts. This may also be an indication of the fact
that top salaries in the academic fields, where Ph.D.s tend to rise to the
highest salaries, are still lagging behind other fields.
As to
the possibility of getting dropouts back on campus, the outlook was glum. The
main condition which would have to prevail for at least 25% of the dropouts who
might consider returning to graduate school would be to guarantee that they
would retain their present level of income and in some cases their present
job.
Meeting foreign language requirements for the Ph.D. ______.
A.is the most frequent reason for dropping out
B.is more difficult for the science candidate than for the humanities candidate
C.is an essential part of many Ph.D. programs
D.does not vary in difficulty among universities