NUCLEATING IDEAS AND CRYSTALS—TO DO OR NOT TO DO
Sumit Chakraborty | February 2025
As a faculty member, a question one often encounters from students is: should I do a PhD? I find this a very difficult one to answer. The set of skills that makes one a good student is not necessarily the same as that which makes a good researcher. Some basics are common— knowledge, intelligence, application, discipline, and work ethic are essential for both. But beyond that, there are fundamental differences. Knowing and understanding well what has been taught makes a good student. When studying for exams to get good grades, one can look up the answers in a book or ask the teacher for explanations when one does not understand a topic.