Hi guys

So I am applying for PhD and believe the Wellcome Trust one would be great for me. I like the fact you can try out few research groups and make an informed choice.
Is anybody doing this PhD?Do you have any tips for my cover letter/writing application? When they ask me about my career aspiration how much into future should I go? Is it enough to say I want to stay in academia or should I mention I want to eventually have my independent research group and supervise PhD students?
Do I keep it short and brief? How do I describe my research experience? Very brief?

If any of you (not explicitly WT students) could help I would be most grateful.

Why dont you try to get pregnant now and if it happens, you can take a break and see if you want to come back or not? Maybe it will happen in the write up time, maybe later. I think you can do both at the moment and see how the situation goes? That way you can do both at the moment.

Hi.
I have child and I am glad I do. It changes you forever.
It was the best choice for me but it isn’t for everybody. I just refused to live my life for a CV but definitely feel the pressure from academia you are talking about.

Ian, I think you would be surprised at people without a degree. My husband is a joiner and we get on very well. He is not academically gifted but he is a very intelligent person. You just need to give it a shot:). He likes my exploratory holidays.

Pineapple: Its not embarrassing. Its so much easier to save up for a deposit when there is two of you.

You are welcome! Glad I could help

Jesus give us some time! I dont sit here all day!!!!!!!!

I have all but the last one. Send me your email address and I will send it to you.

Thanks for your reply.
I thought about this as well but it feels a bit cheeky. It will probably be few references he will do for me (I will check, I am aware of the rule).

Hi all.

This is for PhD applications.
I have a plenty of referees from my undegrads who will give me a brilliant references (including lecturer whom I worked with during summers). During my sandwich year I worked hard but my supervisor (although he was happy with me) was really demanding and rarely said anything good to anyone (to all of us, not just me). He is very strict and I am worried that if I will ask him for reference he will write something not as exciting as the other ones would do.
What do I do? Do I put him down anyway? Do I put down the others (including the lecturer I worked with for a good few months?). I just dont want it to look like I have not done a good job because I did. I am just worried his reference will not be as good because the way he is.
What would you do?

Thanks guys:)
I am in science so I supppose I am worried they will look at me like I am out of date.

Regards childcare, my husband is really supportive and is happy to stay home with kids when ill if he needs to. I mean I will also stay occasionaly but it will be shared.
But with the one we have now it isnt a problem really, not ill for about 2 years now!

As the title says. I am planning to take a year out after my BSc to have a second child. I would officialy graduate in July 2015 and will start to apply from September 2015 for 2016 start.
Do you think it will a problem? Will supervisors question my year out as I will not be at work?
Will they be less likely to choose me because I will have 2 children?
Thanks:)