My Candidacy Exam
May 19, 2005 – 3:32 pmI passed, but I have to produce a supplement to my report to make it official. Specifically, I have to articulate what about my project will be a substantial original contribution to the field. I was judged sufficiently competent to complete the work, and the committee seems to be in agreement that a substantial original contribution can come of it. It’s just not clear what that contribution is yet.
Over my first two years at Caltech, it’s become increasingly clear to me that the math and the science are not the hard parts of the Ph.D. Far from, in fact. The hard part is the vision. It’s very easy to sit around playing with equations and models all day for five years; it’s tough to do that and have something interesting come of it. The math and the science are easy compared to that.
8 Responses to “My Candidacy Exam”
Congrats, Jeff
By Michelle on May 19, 2005 at 5:10 pm
Thanks Michelle.
By jjk on May 19, 2005 at 5:20 pm
Booyah! Congratulations!
By MDA on May 19, 2005 at 6:18 pm
I knew you could do it! I hope you know how proud I am of you. I hope to be around long enough to see it actually happen. Again CONGRATULATIONS, well done and we love you.
By PaPa on May 19, 2005 at 8:01 pm
Jeffrey, a big hug to you from Texas! Congratulations on this major accomplishment - yippee!!! can’t wait to see you soon!! love ya!
By Mom and Dad on May 20, 2005 at 6:03 am
Congratulations! Woo, and indeed, hoo.
By Dixie on May 20, 2005 at 10:57 am
Congratulations Jeff - way to take on a callenge and go for it I too think the vision bit is hard - and not just in an academic field. I have a theory now that vision comes in moments of relaxation or transition but as a result of hours of no-vison type work - well, a least that’s what I’m hoping for.
By michele on May 21, 2005 at 9:25 am
YAY!!!! Congrats!
By UALboy on May 21, 2005 at 9:58 am