Good for you, cutequest. Equality of opportunity does matter, even though it's often easier to look the other way. I really hope you succeed.

Hi

I'm in my second year, heading for the third and I'm not being asked to do anything official anything either. From what I gather, as long as I'm submitting work regularly and my supervisor is happy with my progress, I just carry on into the third year.

I'm sure this does vary from uni to uni, so your best bet is probably to email your department or supervisor and ask them what their standard procedure is.

Yes, I know what you mean. Most of the time I'm more than glad that he leaves me to it - but what irks me is the time it takes him to respond to me when I actually do need something. Especially as I hardly ever contact him.

You're right, news about conferences or even the odd email asking how the work is going would be nice, but I don't think that would happen in a million years! Still, I suppose one can dream...

If you already have an undergraduate degree, I would suggest asking someone whose opinion you value at your old university what they would recommend. An old lecturer or tutor you liked probably wouldn't mind offering you advice. It's not my field, but I would think that it's worth evaluating the job prospects of the different courses - most university departments have something to say on that score if you email them.

If you're lucky, someone on here will be familiar with your field and be able to offer more specific advice - I hope so and wish you luck.

I was wondering if anyone else has difficulties getting hold of supervisors in the summer term. Mine gets so busy with marking and so on that he takes ages to get back to me at this time of year. To make matters worse, during the summer holidays, he seems to disappear off the radar completely!

I try not to bother him unless I really need to because I know how busy he is and feel guilty - but he has just taken over three weeks to email me back an answer to a very simple question.

I'm starting to wonder whether some supervisors take on PhD student without having the time for them at all.

Glad to hear that Sixkitten! I hope it all gets better for you from here on.

Hi,

I don't think you age is an issue at all - there are simply huge numbers of people doing PhDs in their 30s and beyond.

As to funding - it's a shame that you haven't been able to get any but if you can find a way to continue funding it yourself, I'd say it's a worthwhile investment. I'm self funded - don't laugh - but I wasn't even aware that there was funding to be applied for before I started my PhD! I simply assumed that because it was something I wanted, I should have to pay for it myself. I'm part time and I have a full time job and even though there are downsides to that, I wouldn't want it any other way.

Being self-funded is on the increase. And if you can manage it, it can be tremendously satisfying to know that you did it all by yourself. If you put it to employers in that way, in my experience they react very positively.

I wondered if he was mentally unbalanced. It's hard to imagine that anyone would be able to sustain treating people like that over so many years unless there was something seriously at fault with their brain, particularly in the realm of empathic abilities. They do say that this is lacking with certain disorders. I think he should be locked away and studied. As for the poor mother and children - as much care and help as possible should be lavished upon them.

I too think being able to post longer replies would be an improvement.

If he is married you should probably try not to think about him romantically. From what you have said, it sounds to me as if you have fallen for a man who appears offer you the support and attention which you perhaps lack elsewhere in your life. Be very careful. It's very easy to make the mistake of falling for a person who assumes the role of mentor in your life but the teacher/student relationship isn't the real friendship of equals. Don't mistake it for something it is not.

I hope you can get past this soon and focus on someone more appropriate and available.

Squiggles is right. Basically, just to simplify, you must choose the one which is relevant to your field. For example, if your subject is an arts subject, you would do an MA. If you are in the sciences, you would do an Msc and so on.

I'm sure some of that does go on, but don't despair. When I was going through the application/interview process, I got offered two PhD places at good universities and I didn't have any contacts at all. They both told me that what they look ultimately look for is a good proposal.

The key thing is to keep trying. And if you don't get in because they've already got someone in mind for the place, ask yourself "Why would I want to go somewhere that is that unfair?" I certainly wouldn't. Remember, many a university is judged on the calibur of its research students, and any uni that is prepared to give places to people on the basis of connections rather than potential really isn't worth your time. Good luck in your search.

Yeah - the sunshine is soooo distracting, along with the long light evenings. I have just got in from work and am fighting the desire to go right back out again and enjoy the last of today's warmth.

Hope you did manage to get your work done over the bank holiday and that it's been going well this week.

PS sorry about any spelling/typing errors - I'm doing several things at once here!

Thanks shani, teaching is one idea I hadn't thought of. I used to teach English as it happens, albeit a long, long time ago, but only in secondary schools. I might look into the possibilities of doing a bit if I can free up some time.

I wish I could swap you some of my real world colleuges for some of your academic ones - sounds like we both have too much of a good thing!