Axe the Qual!

[aakepley]

Evidentally some departments are starting to axe the qual/prelim and ask their students to prepare a portfolio of work: Portfolios Instead of Quals? I think this could be a really great idea if done properly. What do you guys think?

Poll Portfolios instead of Qual

Comments

[drspiff]

Portfolios are much too subjective. While it prepares you for the process you face in the tenure/reappointment regime, I don't think students would appreciate being judged in that manner. Everyone rather get a score that tells them quantitatively where they stand because otherwise there is too much room for faculty to be cruel and capricious.

[imli5533]

very interesting gender split in the answers so far...