Education · 1 of 4

The path

The longest training path on this site. Roughly 10 to 14 years after high school.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Strong grades and a subject you could read about for fun. Nothing else is required yet.

2. 2

   Bachelor's degree

   3 to 4 years

   Grades matter here. So does getting into a professor's lab or research project as an undergraduate.

3. 3

   Master's degree

   1 to 2 years

   Some fields let strong students go straight to a doctorate instead.

4. 4

   Doctorate

   4 to 6 years

   Original research, a long dissertation, and teaching as a TA (teaching assistant). You are paid a modest stipend while you do it.

5. 5

   Postdoc, then the job market

   0 to 4 years

   Short research contracts while you apply. Hundreds of applicants for one posting is normal, and you go where the job is.