What Should You Get a Ph.D. in?

By: Bri O.
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
What Should You Get a Ph.D. in?
Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

You're interested in getting your Ph.D., but the choices between degree programs are endless. How do you decide? Here's an easy first step: Take this quiz to find out which program best matches your interests!
What did you study in your undergraduate courses?
Humanities.
Social Sciences.
Business.
STEM.

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Are you mathematically inclined?
Not at all.
I'm decent with statistics.
I'd say so, but I'm not the best.
Yes.

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Does blood freak you out?
Yes.
Kind of.
Not really.
Nope, which is good, because I want to go into medicine.

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Which sounds more interesting?
Researching the effects of lead contaminated water on its drinking population.
Researching correlations between adult anxiety disorders and adverse childhood experiences.
Researching the economic dynamics of supply and demand during a recession.
Researching the history of a specific subculture.

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Do you like to read?
Yes, I love reading.
I like to read.
It's not really my thing, but it has its uses.
No.

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Which of the following interests you the most?
Comparing and contrasting great works of literature.
Understanding why people do what they do.
Understanding how people are influenced by consumerism.
Discovering new methods of creating energy.

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Are you good with computers?
Only in the basic sense: I don't know much beyond Microsoft Office.
I know how to use programs specific to my work.
My skills aren't too shabby, but there's a lot I don't know how to do.
Yes, I'm an advanced programer.

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How'd you do in chemistry class?
Not too great.
I'd rather not talk about it.
Not bad.
I aced it.

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Can you follow abstract theories and thought processes?
Yes.
Usually, but it's not always easy.
Like what?
It depends on the subject matter.

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What type of thinker are you?
Abstract.
Non-linear.
I'm not sure, but I know I'm a thinker.
Linear.

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What was your favorite subject as a kid?
Social Studies.
Language Arts.
Science.
Math.

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What concerns you most?
Fascism.
Poverty.
Turbulent economies.
Climate change.

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Which would you rather read?
"A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens.
"Animal Farm" by George Orwell.
"Shoe Dog" by Phil Knight.
"The Maze Runner" by James Dashner.

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Why do you want to get your Ph.D.?
I need the degree to move up in my career.
I want to be better at what I do.
I want to be free to conduct my research.
I want to learn more.

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What type of movie would you like to watch?
A drama.
A psychological thriller.
A action flick.
A documentary.

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Are you philosophical?
Not really.
Extremely.
I don't have much of a use for philosophy in my life.
Somewhat.

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Does every problem have an answer?
It's not that simple.
Sometimes there isn't an answer.
I've yet to meet a problem that couldn't be solved.
There's always a solution.

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Which is a universal language?
Experience.
Math.
There isn't one.
Money makes the world go 'round.

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Which of the below makes you curious?
Culture and society.
Human behavior.
Economics.
Technological advancement.

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Do you know a lot about history?
History is kind of boring.
I know quite a bit about U.S. history.
Yes, I love learning about history.
I know about specific parts of history.

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Do you enjoy working with your hands?
Not particularly.
It's alright.
Sometimes you have to get your hands dirty to get things done.
Yes.

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Are you organized?
It depends on the day of the week.
I'm all over the place.
Some parts of my life are organized, others are not.
Yes.

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When you're watching a movie or TV show, what goes on in your head?
I'm thinking about gender roles and racial dynamics.
How unrealistic it is.
I'm usually completely absorbed in the storyline.
I think about how it could be better.

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Do you like to write?
Yes.
I don't mind it.
It's a necessary evil.
No.

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Have you ever been part of a musical or theatrical production?
No.
Yes, as stage or production crew.
No, but I've considering joining one.
Yes, as a cast member.

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Do you know any computer programming languages?
No.
No, but I could learn.
I know a few.
Yes, I know more than a few.

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Are you a fan of the scientific method?
It's a flawed system.
I'm indifferent.
Nope.
Yes, it's a cornerstone of scientific research.

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In undergraduate school, did you regularly attend classes or were you frequently absent?
I was usually present, but I missed class here and there.
I was absent a lot.
I went to every class I was able to.
I couldn't afford to miss a class.

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What's the highest level mathematics class you've taken?
A 100 level math course.
Introduction to statistics.
I took a few finance and stats classes.
I've taken the highest level offered.

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Which is the least appealing subject?
Anthropology
Philosophy
Microeconomics.
Chemistry.

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You Got: