"Sometimes I think that the environment [in graduate school] changes how you view yourself to the point that you think passing quals/fields/etc. is the true measure of your self-worth when in fact it is actually quite meaningless. For example, passing quals does nothing to improve your ability to serve the community, be a good family member or friend, etc.; if anything, it may impair those qualities."
— One of Mary’s grad school friends on the phd qualifiers and, um, life in general.
