I don't think it's necessarily over the top but it's probably unnecessary. Having said that I think it's a nice gesture but would keep any email brief, to the point and not too effusive. You probably won't get a reply but I imagine staff reading such an email while surprised would think it's nice.

Congrats btw on securing the funding (up)

Maybe still worth a shot Delta...

I have interview tomorrow and I don't fulfill all their criteria. However, I admitted that on my cover letter but went on to stress that I was familiar with other software systems etc. The cover letter for that job was the quickest I ever wrote and probably the most honest as well. I finished it by saying "I hope you will consider my somewhat 'left-field' application' and it seems that they did!

You just never know

======= Date Modified 21 Mar 2012 15:39:03 =======
I had a preface for a while but in the end merged it into my intro chapter. I submitted with a quite traditional format except for two chapters - prelude and postscript to analysis which eh, ehem, neither examiner liked:-(. Part of my corrections was to revert to original format. I told my examiner on the day 'that's easily changed' to which he replied 'yes, 1, 2, 3,4, 5...' :$ At that stage I was thankful that I had ditched the preface idea. I still think it's a nice way to introduce the work but at the same time would be wary of being too 'different'. Maybe save it for after the viva

I can get into The Gerontologist no problem but couldn't find the actual article. I put it into Google as well and did an author search but didn't find it although I only had a quick look. You should have my email from before so let me know later if you want it (or something else) Linda - no problem

I should be able to get it for you; can you just 100% confirm your ref

you only have helpful user button/option when it's your thread:p

======= Date Modified 15 Mar 2012 09:31:46 =======
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While I'm not in Scotland I was called for jury duty during my PhD. The powers that be in my department offered me a letter stating how vital (sic) I was to my department but I declined. I went along but as the defendent didn't bother turning up, we were excused and so it naturaly worked out well for me. I had been prepared to take readings etc with me if it did turn out to be a long one however. tbh, I would imagine you would have a better chance of being excused if you were writing up. I'm not saying of course that first year isn't important but I doubt outside audiences would consider it such. See what reaction your supervisor has when you tell him/her

(Sorry for all the edits; I'm a bit addled this morning, hence the constant edits :-()

Maybe try Pjlu in a pm??

Yup, I would agree with Screamingaddabs and Clupea (so much easier to spell:p) but would also add a word of caution about putting your literature review, or even some of it, or even a bit of it on a poster. Let's face it, lit reviews are not that riveting, or maybe that's just me! You could pick a couple of authors and suggest that they have inspired you to go in 'x' direction. Methodology and results make for more interesting posters imo. Maybe you don't have results yet but from memory isn't your reserach topic quite innovative in itself? I would stress that angle. I could be way off the mark but I couldn't see somebody winning a poster competition with a lit review.

first instinct is that they have something up their sleeve and want to see your thesis to get a feel for your writing before they make you an offer (hopefully that you can't refuse!). However, being honest it could be just purely out of interest or politeness - ie you told them you had finished and they said they would like to see it. It's hard to know but it's curious all the same. Are you going to send it to them?

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thanks Swetchha:-); You're nearly there, just another couple of weeks (up)

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I would agree with Emmaki that it's always best to try and source the original, particularly when your 'original' is from 2000 - you must have the ref for the original from your secondary source. Post here if you can't access the original - somebody should be able to get it for you.

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What does Copac know?; I can get it for you although I'm not in either Cardiff or British Library!

Pm an email address and I'll send the pdf to you :-)

Hi Emmaki

Just sent it to you :-)