Why have the faculty chosen to test students with a research proposal rather than a test of objective, knowledge-based questions?
Once you are awarded a Ph. D. degree, tests don’t stop. They only continue to get more competitive. These tests come in the form of doing high quality research, submitting original papers to refereed journals, applying for fellowships and research grants, applying for a permanent position in industry, research and/or teaching, and undergoing professional scrutiny by a university tenure or promotions committee. Your success in these endeavors requires many other skills besides knowing a textbook from cover to cover. This exam provides a taste of practical scientific life and will help you to prepare for competition in the real world.
