Yeah, I know what you mean, Sneaks. I should tell them I got a First rather than a 2:1 and get them to make a new certificate with potato printing...

Thank you Moonblue!

It is good to know that another old-timer has had the same problem and triumphed. (I am assuming you are an old-timer, unless you did your first degree aged 8.)

I don't know about you, but in the early 90s at my uni, the records weren't even kept on computer. :$

Generally it is in the eyeballs. Lingering looks. If they're really brave they might touch you lightly.

I am very worried...

I received an ESRC 1+3 quota nomination recently - was so happy and grateful! So then I have been going through the formal procedure of applying for the +1 bit, the actual Masters. The whole thing is done online, so you can't speak to a human at all.

I've received an email from this new university saying they are missing the transcript from my undergraduate degree, and that as far as they are concerned, my application is incomplete.

Thing is, I'm 37 and I finished that degree in 1995... and life being what it is, I've lost the transcript. I have sent them the actual certificate though... it was in a completely unrelated area, and I HAVE sent them both the transcripts and the certificates from both the conversion course I did (Psychology) finishing in 2008, and from my current MSc (due to finish in September). Both of which are in related(ish) disciplines.

So I have pathetically phoned the old uni, banged on about wanting a really old paper transcript from them. And they are saying it MIGHT be in their archives. So I've sent a begging email...

Does anyone know for how many decades universities hold onto transcripts? Worried this might mean I miss out on my 1+3 chance...

Ogriv

Thanks both for your replies...

Took ages to respond as life has been hellishly hectic. Turns out they were after 1000 words, not 1000 characters (!)

In the end I remembered a committee I'm on, so I bored them with that.

Have heard I've been lucky enough to get an ESRC 1+3 quota nomination at the uni I'm applying to, so that's very exciting!

Good luck all with your endeavours! (up)

So I'm applying for a second Masters (!!!!) as there's some funding I've heard about and my current MSc isn't ESRC-accredited. And I'm doing the personal statement on the application form.

They've said between 1000 and 1500 words, and despite the fact that I'm usually the sort of person that can bang on forever, I've only been able to generate 882 words about myself! What's gone wrong?

Have done paragraphs along the themes of Introducing Myself, Strengths/Interests, Academic Background/Interests, Ambitions/Research Interests, Purpose and Objectives of undertaking graduate study.

It's very strange that I can't come out with more, as I'm a mature student with two and a half degrees already and a long working life - I've included all this and still it's short. I just hope that this means I've honed a 'quality over quantity' personal communication style.

What do others think? Shall I pad it out with My Earliest Childhood Memory or My Most Embarrassing Moment? Or leave well alone? :-x

Genius, Alpacalover! I had given up so much hope I'd actually forgotten I'd asked for it. Here is your sprout (sprout) and I will do the necessary mechanisms to get you a star. And I will PM you.

Yours devotedly
Ogriv

Forgot to say... it's for my PhD research proposal so it feels quite important!

Cheers

Hi all
It's a long shot, but don't suppose any of you can get hold of this:

Ubido, J. & Ashton, J. (1993). Small area analysis: Abortion statistics. Journal of Public Health, 15 (2): 137-143.

Seems my library has a subscription to it but despite that as I sit at home my cookie won't allow me to get hold of it.

I would be deeply grateful and reward you with both a star and a sprout. (up)

Don't necessarily close him out of your life, but in the meantime do the following 'therapeutic' work so that you can bear in mind how valuable you are. This will hopefully prevent you letting him or anyone else treat you like s**t:

Get out there and socialise. Follow your interests and join clubs. Be open to other humans that you think you have something in common with. If you fancy any of them, don't immediately get romantically involved or show your interest or tell them you're single. Become friends with them so you can work out if they are evil or not, if they're involved or not, if they are worth it. Friendship is a lovely thing anyway. Then having a few new friends will make you more confident and in a position to wisely accept or reject the original chappie or someone new, but with a foundation of more happiness and wisdom and self-esteem, having shopped around a bit.

If people really like you they will make the effort and won't want to rush you too quickly anyway.

(up)

Must say I am very pleased that Britney decided to do this. She has gone way up in my estimation. (up)

this always happens to me in the frigging springtime - usually lose the best part of a month. Doesn't help that there's been a recent erotic frisson with a boy for the first time in ages... what a distraction! No boys till mid-June, I've decided! Too much to do!

I am in a similar position with a friend on my MSc. I've basically stopped sharing the really important stuff with her - like I don't tell her who I'm in talks with about a PhD etc. Because the moment I mention any kind of achievement it ramps up her competitiveness. I've also recently become friendly with other people who are doing really well academically (winning prizes etc.) who aren't pushy or competitive at all, and it's such a relief to see that you don't need to be like her to be an achiever!

I agree with the person who said that you should share less info with her. Just try to give her the impression that your life is somewhat calm and bland. Amusingly, that might spook her even more, but it might be best to confide in more stable and more secure friends.

Ogriv
xx

A very effective lecturer I know simply puts the reference in a thin coloured strip at the bottom of that particular slide. So it's informative and stylish!