As a PhD for three years or so, you really don't get that much of other questions then....

In the Initial phase of PhD (In which you always answer very patiently...and nicely):
1. What are doing your PhD in?
[BME>>>then you get, What is BME?]

2. When are you going to take the qualify exam?
[OS: After XX year...or I don't know. Either one is good enough]

3. What area of research are you interested?
[Always hesitate to say because then you will spend like 10 minute trying to explain...and most of the time they don't get it]

After you pass your qualify before doing your proposal: (starting of the phase of direction-less)
1. When are you going to do your proposal?
[I think the best answer is: Around xxx IF I get all my preliminary data. But then I know different school have different policies...]

2. What is your research topic?
[You gotta say something...because if you don't...it is either you don't know and you are in big trouble...or you don't want to...but you will just look dumb. The tip is.....say something...and if they look lost, explain...then if they say something that indicate they kind of get it..then just say, "yea"]   

3. Who is in your committee?
[This question is less common...but sometimes this can be a headache]

After your proposal: (starting the phase of madness...and everybody ask the same questions....)
1. When are you planning on graduating?
[hem....(in your head) when I have my results, when I published something, when I finished my dissertation...so it is approximately..... (out loud) xxx years from now]

2. What do you plan on doing after graduation?
[personally, I really hate this one. Because I REALLY DO NOT KNOW. Academia...endless grand. Industry...profit oriented research. They are all money-oriented. What should I choose? It is more about what is available by the time I get graduated...who knows....]

3. How is your research going?
[I really hate this one too depends on who is asking. I mean...if it is all going well...then I will be graduating.....]

4. When are you going to defend?
[I am going to defend after I am all done!!! Stop asking!!!]

So now you know why you will go mad by the time you finish your PhD...

 
  


<all images were from google search>