A.B.D. is the uneasy period in between finishing your course work and finally being handed your doctoral degree.
Some observers think that in recent years, the limbo has become harder yet.
Too many Ph.D.'s and too few tenure-track posts has meant that departments are far less likely to consider someone who doesn't have the degree. At the same time, getting the degree has gotten more complicated. With more women and more academic couples in the Ph.D. pool, family matters often distract students from dissertation matters. Ph.D. candidates say they are more stressed out than ever. Universities and foundations are reacting by pumping in lots more money to help students finish their dissertations.