Professional schools (law, med, MPA, MBA, etc) excluded. I'm talking about a science/liberal arts/humanities PhD program - the long, arduous seven-years-to-finish kind.

I want to quit, and I'm not exactly dissuaded from doing so when I realize that I've never met anyone who hasn't quit.

The drummer for my old band, Yowie, is actually finishing his PHD in Clinical Psyche. He is living proof that you can be in a fantastic band (note: it only became fantastic after I left it...) AND do something with your life 'professionally'.

Almost everyone in my office... It's architectural firm.

My wife - twice.
She's going for the PhD starting in the Fall.

...and she married *me*
Don't ask me how that happened.

-A

My mom did, from starting classes to finishing her thesis and giving her dissertation in just over three years.

Way to go my mom!

My mom also did, for Music Education.

i know lots of artists working in film that got their MFAs.

ginandtacos: care to explain your misgivings about finishing? (this, i think, is a good topic.)

My semioverachieving sister has two, but I think she's pulling some Van Wilder (yes, I did just make that reference, Tara reid) nonsense so she doesn't have to grow up and join the real world.

my mom has a Masters in Social Work and is a Liscenced Clinical Social Worker (though you don't single it out as a "professional school," it only took her four years to get both of those, so i don't know that it counts.)

also, i've had some fairly young professors who either just finished or were just about to finish, so i've seen that transitionary stage and know that it is indeed possible. oh yeah, and my high school Poli Sci teacher's son just got his PhD. in Philosophy AND got a job (teaching philosophy!). this is a miracle, she is.

so don't be discouraged. talk to connor if you need moral support. you guys can maybe sponsor each other. like AA.

(also, ginandtacos, i've heard you mention some things about your research and Dane County before. where are you going to school?)

Yes. It can be done. But I am only about to wrap up my master's thesis after a 5 year layoff. It helps to be one of two things: Either entirely focused and able to to prioritize and TCB, or and in my experience this is where the real success stories are, one of those people who can just let all the shit that comes down on you roll right off your back. Somehow, those that cheerfully and charmingly don't give a shit and aren't burdened with too much self-awareness or their own perfectionism turn out with the most success and have the most fun doing it. That doesn't mean they're the best at what they do, but they are the most successful--getting tenure-track positions, publishing, teaching, presenting, refereeing.

But I think the EA forum and academia are at cross purposes. We should get off the 'Net.