The career path of a doctoral student often starts at an early age as new high school graduates understand it’s going to take a long time (typically eight years or more) until they earn the piece of paper and designation that tells them they can begin a career in the field of their choice. However, once you begin working in the world of academics, you’ll run into Ph.D. holders of all ages.

Just because this is the “typical” route doesn’t mean it’s the only one, though. More and more individuals are moving beyond the bachelor's and master's degrees and heading for their doctorate in philosophy at later stages in life. Although it may seem counterintuitive to put all the effort, time, and money into a degree they won’t be able to use for the decades a younger graduate might, the fact is that there are no age limits or restrictions in most countries. If a person has had a goal to obtain their Ph.D., it’s a worthy and valid target that should not be stopped by any age limit cap. In fact, any university that attempts to do so could very well be subject to a lawsuit for ageism, or age discrimination. But before jumping straight into university life in an attempt to earn that Ph.D., there are some things that should be considered first for everyone, regardless of age.

Why Do Many Students Take the Ph.D. Path?

The education required to obtain a Ph.D. is not something a student considers lightly. It takes many years and, often, hundreds of thousands of dollars to get that designation behind your name. Students who start their degree straight out of high school or soon thereafter almost always say the same thing: they want to do something impactful with the rest of their lives. Graduate school gives them a direction to go in which they can challenge their intellect and integrate that with a cognitive and emotional career path that lets them make a difference in society.

Older students who return to school later in life have a different mix of reasons for their new interest in getting their PhD. Many of them want to further their careers after stagnating with their current degree. They’re ready to take a risk and invest in their education in order to move ahead in the future. Some have personal goals they have put on hold to have a family or for other reasons, but they have chosen that time as when they are ready to go back and reach their goals. Yet others are on a search for meaning in a certain area, or in life in general, and head back to school determined to learn more about human behavior, psychology, and other intellectual fields.

Things to Consider Before Choosing to Apply for a Doctoral Degree

There are no age restrictions on a doctoral degree. In fact, the youngest Ph.D. graduate on record currently is Kim Ung-Yong, a South Korean professor who earned his Ph.D. in civil engineering at the young age of 15! On the other extreme is Charles Betty, the United Kingdom graduate who, earning his Ph.D. at 95 years of age, is currently the oldest doctoral graduate in the world.

These extreme graduates are rare. The majority of students who take the Ph.D. path end up graduating around the age of 26 or 27 if they take the traditional path of high schools, undergraduate, and Master’s degrees.

At that point, anyone looking to continue their education and obtain a Ph.D. should consider certain aspects to ensure they are on the right path, such as:

●      The quality of life they will have while they are attending graduate school. A Ph.D. program is all-encompassing and it’s hard to have a job and/or a personal life while you’re immersed in your education.

●      The degree program that suits your career field. With that much time, effort, and money invested, the degree you choose should be something you want to do with the rest of your life.

●      The cost of the program. Will what you’ll be doing pay you enough to live the style of life you want to have and cover your student loan payments?

●      The time you’ll be spending on your coursework and dissertation. Are you prepared to put the effort into researching, experimenting, and writing that a Ph.D. requires?

While a Ph.D. is an honorable career and education goal, it’s not for everyone. No matter how old you are, consider these essential characteristics that go hand-in-hand with every Ph.D. path you might take, and be sure you’re ready for them before you start the process.