[mathattack]

Thanks for the reply.

To clarify on going to industry... If you are a top student with a bachelors in a field like Physics or Biology - there's aren't as many post-undergrad options as the top CS student. Therefore, the top Physics and Biology majors are more likely to head to grad school. Those top students are more likely to finish on time.

Again - just a hypothesis.

I think your point about mid-Phd CS folks having options is stronger. If you're 2 years into a Biology Phd program, your options are limited. If you're 2 years into a CS Phd program, the sky is the limit.

I hear you on CS theory. My impression during undergrad was that the grads were doing a lot of programming in the coursework, and many beyond.