Pade Queen lala timilai kehi tha chaina :p It appears that Oys and I are going to share the same Alumni.;) On the more serious note; what are the financial implications; to be more precise; do the PHD graduates have significant gain in terms of "financial returns" or it is more of "symbolic achievement" over MBA graduates? Are there any direct correlation between PHD and monetary gains? If yes; is it only confined to any specific genre or field, i.e., Science, psychology, business (or even sub-category within these categories)? Another questions looming in my head is: Among those who pursue PHD degree, do so because they want to broaden or more appropriately narrow the "view/ specialty" in the field that they already have significant achievement/experience; OR; because they pursue the degree because the lack of it. The more appropriate expresion is; CHOICE. What I wanted to know by throwing the word "choice" is, of course to know what motivated or played a part in their decision to "go-for-it." Few I know (or come to know by virtue of being affiliated to someone they knew) had the following situations: Demo A: Did not really get the job in their specific field and decided to give a shot to PHD, hoping they would have more option to attack the field they want to apply their trade. Demo B: Worked in Nepal for several years. Unsatisfied and frustrated, PHD seemed like a gateway to America; especially a visa being almost a guarantee, once accepted from the university. Demo C: I know once such person who actually was working DIRECTLY in his field and even then decided to go for PHD taking a sabbatical from his job. (This one is an American, thus not entirely related but nevertheless an example per se.) Demo D: Their expertise really HAD to HAVE a doctor attached to sound more creditable and impressive so that they can actually be heard; so to speak. Genre were i.e., psychology, economics and such. Demo E: To be in status after failing to find a job that sponsors them. Demo F: Had a choice to go pro, directly from high school a la Lebron James; but rather decided to finish colege & go more traditional way akin to how it works back home. " Padai sabai sakaune ani matra kaam. Padne bela ma kaam garyo bhane mind divert huncha." Yestai yestai. These are actually very bright and very studious and elite group. Some might even stereotype them as geeks; a dying breeds.