Maybe someone should explain their opinion / view so that jacoblincoln understands why he isn't getting the advice he is asking for. Otherwise not very helpful!

Hi Feelingdrained,
It is so unfair ) - : I really feel where you are coming from with the no one to teach you comment. My supervisor was a clinician who had only published a few papers (a good and experienced clinician but not an experienced researcher). My other supervisor was basically mentoring her. That is fine. Expect for the fact that I was learning nothing. I was not well informed about the importance of supervision and made a bad decision in getting into such a situation in the first place. It sucks! You are probably not as "bad" a researcher as you think though. Some people in your situation would not even be aware of the fact that they weren't where they should be - so as to speak. That you are aware is kudos to you - in a good way. What kinds of things are they that you are noticing? Are they things that can't be fixed now? I guess the next best thing would be to tabulate everything that you think is an issue, and bullet point why it is an issue, and how it should be done going forward. Or maybe even in some cases you will be able to justify why at the time it seemed a good idea. That way, if certain things come up in the viva, you will be able to show that you are fully aware of them and have learnt. Not sure how this sounds to you.
Best
Tudor

Maybe doing one online is the solution? Open University? It might be a bit more resistant to anything else life throws at you!

And I would add - yes - a lot of it is about having the "grit" to not give up and make it to the end.

If it is what you want to do then go for it!

Ps. Confidence can be a recurring issue throughout the PhD (google "imposter syndrome"). It may just be that you've started early :-D All the best with your Masters result and securing funding if it's what you decide to do.

I agree re law unto itself!

I think the interview matters more than the application - but all will be taken into account.

Good luck and don't worry - every goofs up on some questions!

And, well done for seeing it through in such an adverse and cr*ppy climate. You can be proud of yourself. : )

Hi, good advice from tru. I'm so sorry to hear of your situation. Honestly, from what you've said about your thesis, I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be a pass. The first bit of work which you say isn't that novel obviously was original enough to get published. That is what is meant here - not a nobel prize type thing - but rather, something that adds meaningfully to the existing stuff that is out there. And similarly, the last part of your thesis - yeh it didn't work (I guess you mean no sig results were yielded?) - that doesn't matter - the fact is, you tried to do it and this is what you found / have learnt from it.

I think that the awful situation you describe which is your research environment is largely colouring how you feel about your thesis and yourself. I understand this. But guess what - it isn't real. Your situation sucks. You were unfortunate. It won't be forever. Once you have your PhD, you can move on and forget about this. You might not have developed as much as you would have in another situation, with lab meetings etc going on and meaningful feedback - definitely. But you'll have the opportunity to develop in whatever you do next. So chin up! You're nearly there!

Tudor

Yes, just do it. It is unlikely to be a massive amount of work. Don't say no whatever you do! If you are in the middle of a confidence crisis, this may be just what you need. Good luck!

I'm guessing Benton is looking to go to best possible or one of the top ranked unis to get his/her PhD. The quality of the environment he/she chooses will most likely impact on his development during his PhD. That's where I'm coming from here. There is only so much you can progress/do in a given environment, no matter your aptitude.

Yeh good luck cowsandbeef - you can definitely do it! Another strategy to help overcome anxiety is to focus on getting a pass... not a merit or a distinction, but the minimal you need to pass. Once that becomes your focus, you stop fretting and just get on with it. (And then improve it as you go so you end up doing it to the best of your ability rather than being hindered by anxiety of not doing it well enough to get a merit or a distinction or whatever). All the best!

Thanks! So is the 25k for the duration of the whole PhD? It doesn't seem that it would be a enough to cover fees and living costs?

Oops, I am not sure if I was supposed to start this. I'm a few questions in and it is asking questions like "where do you plan to do your PhD". So presumeably it isn't for existing PhDs/PhD students. I've just noticed in your original post that it says for "prospective" students. Sorry!

Actually, I hadn't heard of these. Is there a good website to find out more?

Well, I guess if they found a list of rankings for their particular field of study it could be helpful.