Ian,

Did you hear anything back yet about the interview?

ejc x

Ephiphiny, there are plenty of science PhD students who are older, too - I know a number of them. If you are in science, have you thought about applying for a 4-year program, which has either an MSc or laboratory rotations incorporated into the first year? This might be an ideal way for you to refresh/update your knowledge and explore potential areas for research.

Just a suggestion - you say you are sure of what you want to do so maybe you wouldn't be keen on this?

Best of luck JillW!

You might find that potential supervisors have some ideas RE refresher-type courses. For example, mine advised attending some undergraduate or masters level lectures during the early months of my PhD. As other posters have said, PhD candidates come at all ages and life stages so don't let that put you off.

ejc x

Hi Jill - Yes I would say that is definitely something worth doing. Send an email to the potential supervisor before you submit your application, to introduce yourself and ask how they might view your application. You could mention your concerns but as other people have said, PhD students start their studies at all ages and from many backgrounds. You will undoubtedly find your IT skills come in handy!
Good luck!
Ejc x

JillW

I am not in the same situation as you but I am sure someone else will be along in a bit.

In the meantime, did you contact your potential supervisors before you applied, to introduce yourself informally?

Ejc x

Hi Euler

Congratulations on almost finishing your PhD.

I have made a move similar to the one you are describing (Biochemistry undergrad -> Bioinformatics MSc -> Statistical Genetics PhD) but as you can see I made the transition earlier that you describe, taking the MSc straight after my undergrad.

Have you had any exposure to mathematical modeling in biology during your PhD? An MSc is a commitment it would be unwise to undertake if you are not sure that you want to go into that area. Which MSc are you considering? Do you know who you would like to work with?

A large part of what I learnt during my MSc was not the specific skills but the more general ones, about research, independent learning and time management. It is possible to teach oneself the specifics "on the job", indeed I am doing that now as some skills and knowledge I need for my PhD research were not covered in the MSc. As such to do an MSc would be redundant as you might feel you have already sufficient experience for these "softer" skills.

I think a better bet than doing an MSc in mathematics would be to determine which group does work you are interested in and to approach them to see how they would consider an applicant such as yourself. I know a number of people working in this field who come from diverse backgrounds. Or speak to your university or department's career service, as they may have some good advice.

Good luck!

ejc

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Hi Doctor_soul

I think getting in touch with potential supervisors informally by email and expressing your area of interest is an easier starting point, than diving in with a specific proposal. Most funded places are somewhat flexible in the exact direction that the project takes, the exception I would imagine being something like CASE studentships, so if you find a funded project related to what you are interested in, you might be able to adapt both your proposal and theirs into something suitable for both parties.

I've not done a self-funded PhD so I can't help you there...

Good luck!

ejc x

Doctor_soul

What area of science are you interested in? Are there any individuals with whom you particularly aspire to work, or whose work is in the same area as that which you are interested in? (You don't have to name names, just trying to get an idea where you are at.)

Ejc x

Ffs Ev, a BMI of 21 and a half-stone gain is not a lot - probably no-one else has noticed.

That said, if it is undermining your self-confidence and interfering with your work this is not good.

In my experience (and I am a similar size to you):

Self-starvation just has the same result for me as it does for you (especially after a few drinks :$)
Any post-Christmas flabbly feeling goes away after a few weeks of my usual routine.
Excercise helps. A lot. Do you do any? (Also helps with dealing with stressful PhD feeling.)

"This week's contestants do like their champers - although do we spot Wally turning the bottle round so that no-one notices the label? Just as well he went own-brand; it appears as if Wally has spent his entire month's stipend on ingredients in an attempt to woo the contestants. Let's hope no-one notices, that's really Sainsburys Basics Seafood..."

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"So that is a total of 7 from catalinbond, 6 from Sneaks, a whopping 10 from bugs, and Wally has been hypnotised into giving an 8 giving a grand total of 31...moving on, let's have a look at another menu."

Who is next?

Eska - After all that champagne, what happened at dessert couldn't be broadcast pre-watershed 8-)

Can I be that bloke...what's his name...Dave Lamb, the guy who does the voice overs ?

Now I have to think of something witty to say!

My dad gave me a Sony e-reader. This was totally unexpected, but I am delighted.

In true geek fashion, I thought to myself - yay! Now I can carry all my pdfs around with me* without them getting crumpled i my bag.

Also looking forward to downloading some classics from Project Gutenberg.

*Note to self - carrying pdfs around not same as reading said pdfs...