''I am also worried that the health clearance will require either a signature from my doctor to confirm what I have written is correct, or a box saying I consent to her being contacted. ''

This is quite likely and something I also consider carefully for similar reasons. You could ask your gp what you need to disclose, i.e. what they would confirm. I honestly doubt whether it will be a problem. That's one of the nice things about academia - it's impossible to be weird or crazy - the competition is too intense;-)

I admit that I don't disclose unless I really have to - but best not to be caught out.

Well, it was a long time ago but this did happen to me. I just got called in one day at the end of my first year and told I was not being continued. There was no official report or viva or warning or anything. I left within the week. It was definitley the right thing to do (but for reasons my supervisors were totally unaware of) - but I do think there should have been some warning or discussion about it. Maybe times have changed and this couldn't happen now, from what you are all saying.

I think you already have one about the same age as mine - so at least you really know what you're getting into:p

Eight months sounds reasonable - I wouldn't recommend less than 6. It's easier to arrange to go back sooner if you change your mind, than later. It is hard to predict - a lot depends on how baby sleeps etc.

I took a year and then went back part-time so I really had a lot of leave! Will you have enough childcare organized in order to go back full-time?

It's very common to have a gap after a PhD - probably depends on your field. I think up to a year is OK. I know I just wanted to focus on submission.

That is a very popular field (I have family in that area). It depends whether you can self-fund or not. If you can fund yourself you might get a place but if you need funding you had better get a good masters to bridge the gap. My sister is self-funding a PhD in this area in the US and she had a 2.2 then merit at masters.

A lot depends on how you inted to support yourself after you submit. Can you can weather up to a few months unemplowed while job hunting? If you jobhunt now do you think it will delay your submission?

I put off jobhunting until after I submitted because a) I was short of time and b) my husband can support me while I look for a job. Jobs in my field come up about 4-5 times/year but since I can't move anyway I am concentrating on writing postdoc proposals to stay here. That is a slow process which I expect to take 6-12 months to sort out. In the meantime I hope to do some hourly-rate teaching in the dept.

Perhaps you could keep scanning the ads and apply if you see something really, really attractive. Later, if you are still looking, you can widen your efforts when you have more time

Dr Henderson is the Dean of Students at SMC apparently.

''this daft lady with crazy but interesting ideas'' - but that's me! Is it so bad?

PhDbug - that reminds me - I once sent 20 pages of blank fax to Hong Kong because I put the paper in the wrong way round. They telephoned to ask why we had done that......

Be warned - the more you worry about this - the dafter you will get. I have done soo many daft things I hardly no where to start. How about calling my supervisor and thinking I was talking to my husband :$

If you haven't done that yet - you're doing OK;-)

Just to add - I also though 'how could my supervisor be so wrong?'. But now I see that he is looking at the work from a completley different perspective. He's not wrong - but he has not paid attention to some issues that need addressing.

I'm in a very similar position. My draft papers is being reviewed prior to submission and although my supervisor loves it the next commentator totally ripped it apart. I couldn't help but think - what if that had been my (upcoming) viva? After some consideration I think I can see how to incorporate both views and will redraft the paper before sending it too the other too commentators.

I try to think of it this way. I look on the draft paper process as the best possible preparation for my viva. I've now had what I think (I hope!) is the worst that can be thrown at me and I have a little time to prepare my responses if these criticisms do re-occur in the viva. But they might not - as clearly people have very different views on the issues.

Chin up - and use this experience as I am. I was really very down for a while though, after the Ripping Apart. Talk to your supervisor about these comments and get his reaction.

Of course if I redraft and get another Ripping Apart I'll be back here begging for tea and sympathy;-)

I think 8 weeks is plenty of time. I don't think it's common to give a gift - but if I were goingto I think I'd give a bottle of something - a reasonbly good wine perhaps.

Could you get them to fax the letter? My understanding is that faxes are not legally binding so you would have to check that - but it might be something to start the visa process moving - just a thought.

Most PhD funding is ONLY for domestic/EU students in which case there would beno point interviewing you, unfortunately. Are you able to self-fund? In that case, yes, you should get an interview.