I wouldn't hire either of them. I would hire Johnny Depp. It doesn't matter if he doesn't have any publications.

dazednconfused, as a background study, before submitting a proposal, I reckon we should all get together at a nearby lake, and cheer for the newspaper of our choice. Then, may the best paper win. Oops I mean according to the results, we can propose this as a bigger experiment at Serpentine, preferably with a bigger crowd.

we could put Times and Guardian on a bath full of water (or the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park) exactly at the same time, and see which one is going to sink first.

Have you seen this, I didn't know anything about it until someone posted a thread on this forum a few weeks ago

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impostor_Syndrome

and a few links from past conversations:

http://www.postgraduateforum.com/showmessage.asp?thread=5832&cat=4&keyword=positive&newview=1&stype=T&category=0

http://www.postgraduateforum.com/showmessage.asp?thread=2130&cat=4&keyword=positive&newview=1&stype=T&category=0

It doesn't sound dumb at all. And I can assure you that you did the best thing by posting here. Unlike some forums on the internet, this one is visited by really decent people who really care about others, and don't mind sharing their experiences if it's going to help.

I think, getting the PhD place itself is a very important achievement. It is an at least 3-year commitment, therefore it is normal to feel worried. But it is not a life or death decision.

Are you going to be giving up so much from your current life, in order to undertake this research? Are you ok with funding? Are you afraid of failing? Are you worried that you are going to disappoint yourself or others? I don't mean to be noisy, but I think all of these can be normal reasons to worry.

alicemonty, that sounds so unfair to me. So sorry to hear that

I'm sure someone with better publishing experience will give you advice soon. I just wanted to express my sympathy. Good luck.

Bobby, I just imagined that as a title on a thesis cover

PinkNeuron, just because we come to the forum to let off steam sometimes, it doesn't mean that we don't enjoy our research. Majority of us do, and it is normal to feel down sometimes... So please don't let the negative threads put you off of the idea.

Why don't you tell us a bit more about why you feel that way, and we can all give you our opinion, and feedback from our experiences?

when watching those soaps, do you make inner comments like "why did you not tell the truth to your family, now it's gonna take at least 8 episodes to correct that mistake!"

lol dazednconfused

even 4 parts inductible

dazednconfused, I remember my first conference 3 years ago (not presented, just participated). But it was over 4 days, where we stayed together in the same place with other participants and presenters, we ate together, we went out together, it was really nice. But before I went, my friend bought me a lovely white cardigan, thinking it would keep me warm in the conference room. I'm glad she did, because it was freezing in there. But by the end of the 4th day, you could easily spot the chairs I sat on at different sessions. They were covered with white wool and fur

awwwww it's lovely

H, did you find out about the format, size etc? Some places accept posters in one orientation only (portrait only, or landscape only). Once you got these details, create your page and start importing your materials (images, bullet points). Even if you are not sure you'll need it, throw it in anyway, you can always take out later. What program will you use?