> the demonstrated ability to complete a large, self-directed project from beginning to end
I am not sure this (both the self-direction criterion and the 'complete to the end' criterion) applies to a majority of PhDs .
I am not sure this (both the self-direction criterion and the 'complete to the end' criterion) applies to a majority of PhDs .
Ex: US CS PhDs from the Top 30 are generally like this and a quick CV scan and conv can help verify they achieved that. Conversely, many EU CS PhD stage programs are shorter and for more prepackaged concepts, so the same level of experience does happen.. but later.
Ex: US bio fields often are 'one big paper' for a PhD, so you can be assured of grit and uncertainty tolerance. But for the same reason, you don't know independence until the post doc.
If we focus on the positive outcome for a good student, those are the two things I think distinguishes someone from a doctorate from someone without.