I'm RPM Panel 2 (I think)

What's everyone else waiting for?

Good luck everyone!

I'm applying this year for Phd funding in Panel 4 - I was successful last year for the MA - I heard on Aug 22nd - a date that will stick in my brain for eternity. I've also heard of rejections on the way - but I saw that they are cutting due to funding issues the successful applications from the normal 23% to around 15%!!!
Its utter murder waiting - I nearly went certifiably insane last year! So much goes on the proposal and the institution as well as your grades to date - then they send out the monkeys with assorted letters to randomly distribute them - who knows....
All I can say is good luck to everyone - this month will be hell on earth - but at least we're all going slowly nuts together

15% (?!?). I really resent the way the humanities is often pushed to one side. I checked that link about the distribution of awards, and really must refrain from comments that make me sound like an intellectual snob. In an ideal world, the situation would be much fairer.

It often feels like a constant uphill battle with funding. And the AHRC is just the start. Then there will be other grant applications, some rejections, and on it goes.

Thanks a lot, mskoncept!

According the stats, as an under-25 male with a First, I have a 42% chance of an offer for my MA in Philosophy! If this year is anything like the last, that is...

Error, you are so right! I guess this is just a foretaste of what is to come for those of us who go into academia as a career - one round of funding applications after another!
The AHRC decision is incredibly stressful though - last year I ended up in a complete mess - its the constant waiting and wondering and obsessive postman stalking - it does your head in totally. Every time a thin letter plops onto the door mat you want to die - its the one time in your life where you're thrilled to find its a bill!

I think, this year, I'm prepared for rejection. I was rejected for MA (grade 3), then for 1st year PhD funding (grade 3). I think the biggest problem those times was that I did not have a 1:1, and the MA results were not yet out (I had no idea whether I was going to get a Dist. as it all hinged on the dissertation). This year, I'm in a better situation, but realistically, I know I'll just blend in with all the other distinctions and 1:1's applying. Not down about it, just pragmatic.

You're so right about being relieved to find a bill!!

I have a similar problem this year - I do have the 1:1 which I think may have helped last year - who knows - I know people who have been awarded with a 2:1, but this time I don't have the MA results yet - I don't submit the dissertation until mid Sept, so they will have to make their decision on a predicted grade and the essay results - some are good distinctions, a couple high merits, no I just don't know - I just have everything crossed

yea! I was so happy to come home to a phone bill today! Never had that in my life!

so there is a positive side to the letterbox vigil.... a feeling of overwhelming relief at receiving utility bills!!!
I'm back to the feeling sick sensation again today - waiting for the postman. I know realisitically I won't hear for a few weeks yet, but knowing that letters have been sent somehow raises the nerves more... I have decided to be pragmatic this year and not allow it to get to me - I'm wondering who I'm kidding though...

Generally the closer towards september the letter arrives the better, apparently. I must be the exception though: I once got a rejection at the end of August, and the other time I got an acceptance at the end of July.

I'd heard it was the other way round, though nobody on this forum has mentioned hearing about any successful letters yet this year! Certainly last year I also got an MA funding rejection very late: I think it might even have been September by the time it arrived! I'm not sure I'm convinced there's much rhyme or reason behind it...

I don't think that there is any rhyme or reason to it. Last year they seemed to be sent out in batches relating to the panels. Most panel 4s heard mid-late august - there were early rejections and awards and also very late ones. I think the last positive result I heard of was the first week in September.
I do think that very very early letters are normally outright rejections, normally due to the subject matter not falling within the required parameters - but that shouldn't happen this year. I'd imagine that the batches will be ordered by panel again this year, the thing is what is that order????
What panels are everybody in? It would help to know that and then as the letters filter through to see if there is that repeating pattern again.

Panel 8, PhD Philosophy.

In previous years, my rejection arrived mid-August. The latest acceptance I know of was in the first week of sept - wonder if there is a reserve list incase a small number decline awards?

Also, having checked the AHRC stats, I'm surprised that my uni has an overall acceptance rate of almost 50% !! Perhaps some unis skewer the statistics somewhat? I also know that of the v.small number of people that apply in my dept., about half get awards. The quota of 4 this year was supposed to reflect the fact that 2 typically get it, I think.

Well that's positive news - 50/50 chance based on previous years.. I really hope that its good news for you this year. I was delighted to see that last year there was a 67% success rate in my panel for people in my situation - my fingers are so tightly crossed I'm having issues typing the draft for my dissertation

Its such a lottery - so much seems to depend on whether your chosen topic is favoured... I'm lucky in some respects that my supervisor (also my MA supervisor) is the world expert in my subject area and we are also the site of the UK Data Archive - its just whether they decide to go for it or not - this waiting is murder - big white envelope today - heart stopped - questionnaire from the local council - damn!!

I'm Panel 4 Phd in Late Modern History - which uni is everyone going to - I'm at Essex