PhD Folk: How did you celebrate passing your qualifying exam?
Post date: 2019-07-16 13:46:40
Views: 158
I'm writing a novel about PhD graduate students, which entails trying to write convincingly about an experience I've never had. I'm fishing for anecdotes from people who've lived through the oral qualifying exam.
My character is at Berkeley in Sociology. It's the 90s, but I doubt too much has changed in terms of the logistics and the general emotions involved. Where would this exam likely take place, in a classroom or seminar room on campus? And would they tell her right then and there if she's passed? Assuming my character passes, what would she do then? I've heard about people bringing friends flowers and champagne to celebrate. What else? I welcome any stories you can share.