Yes.

Doing a PhD isn't only about your technical skills and qualifications. It's hard work and success depends quite heavily on attitude. Interviews are a good way to assess how much the student wants the position because a student who gives up without finishing reflects very badly on the institute. Further, supervisors are looking to see if the student will get on well with other people in the lab and will fit into the culture of the place. They don't want to be wasting time breaking up fights!

Some really good advice and thoughts from the previous poster.

Maybe talk to your supervisor about what he thinks about what you've done so far, both in terms of progress and quality of work. There's no point in your second guessing yourself.

At my uni you're given a second chance to do your transfer if you don't get through the first but I wouldn't focus on that if I were you. It rarely happens. Do keep an open line of communication with your supervisor on all counts. It'll prevent a lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety.

You can take your masters project forward in your PhD but your PhD has to be completely new data. You cannot use any part of your masters thesis. I would speak to your advisor and see what they think.

Wouldn't mind looking at your personal statement if that would help. Otherwise what the previous poster said. Focus on your strengths!

Agree with the previous poster with regards to having worked in industry, related to the field that you're applying for a PhD in.

But you said that you've worked in an unrelated field. Things may be slightly different because although you have more transferable skills you may be a bit out of touch with things like lab techniques. It helps that you've stayed in touch with the literature and so can put together a good application. You may find returning to the lab a bit frustrating but that's not to say that you should be put off by the idea. Go for it!

You really should ask the uni you plan to apply to.

Having said that though, even though you may meet the requirements they may have a preference for someone who has more recently worked in the field that you are applying for a PhD in. The same goes for studentships. And yes I believe you can have spent too much time in one field to jump into another one with ease. That's not to say it can't be done though.

Good luck!

Hello,

Well I don't think you have many options at the moment. You could try getting other funding to manage the tuition fee for this year. If not then you will have to re-apply for the scholarship as you mentioned. It may help for you to widen your search for next year.

Good luck!

Yes funding is a big problem especially if you're an international student. Sorry I can't be of help regarding studying in the UAE but you really should be able to do some basic research into it by yourself especially given that you are looking to do a research degree. Good luck!

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I'm from a science background but I'm sure some interview questions may be similar:

About your final year project, about your research proposal if you have one or about research you may want to do, you may also be asked about members of staff you may want to work with, why the university, why the department, what your plans are for after your PhD.

Good luck!

Usually you don't need a copy of your dissertation to apply for a PhD position but because you're coming from another country that may be the case. I would ask the uni you're applying to about this but I wouldn't necessarily mention that you've misplaced it!

The GMAT is a requirement of universities in the US. Your best bet is to contact unis you're interested in applying to and asking if they require you to take the exam.

Agree with what as already been said. Maybe get someone at your University's Careers service to read your next application and CV and maybe give you a mock interview. Maybe one of us on here can also read your application/CV?

NERVE GROWTH FACTOR MODULATES HUMAN RHINOVIRUS INFECTION IN AIRWAY EPITHELIAL CELLS BY CONTROLLING ICAM-1 EXPRESSION

published in American Journal of Physiology: Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology March 2012

Thanks very much!

First off I don't think you can do a PhD in 9 months so you have to either find additional funding or funding that will cover 3-4 years (UK) worth of research or consider self-funding.

I'm in the sciences so what I have to say isn't really relevant to this thread!

Yes! Congratulations Dr. Ybquestion! :D