Life is unfair. Most prof like to take students from their department they already know...So it's often hard to get a studentship with people you simply don't know...

Thanks, Will do that. So have you read any of those books then? Why were they useless? Any specific recommendations?

How about annoying him so much that he avoids you?

Good luck with your stuff

the books and weblinks are very poor on this site. If you go into a local waterstones there are many good research books in there, so you can flick through them there before you buy.

what was said by X is exactly what i meant. I think that maybe as part of the application you should have to do a small literature review or something. I know that a research proposal is required, but maybe the supervisors should select a few candidates, make them do some written work, then the best of those get through. That would be far fairer. I spoke to a supervisor a while back and he actually said that he never looks at non-EU applicants.

Doodles, how very Cilla of you ! But alas I'm spoken for. I'm just not married. Yet. Thankfully.

I've started my 2nd year and still have no defined project. I have yet to upgrade. My supervisor wants me to do experiments that have already been published. Since they've been published, there's really no reason for me to do them. Whenever I suggest something innovative, he's not keen cos it's not "safe". My passion for science has waned. Apparently, this will pass and that most people generate data in their third/final year. Just try to enjoy yourself. Do activities to remind yourself of the important things in life like family, friends, etc...

I agree to Stu and X. Very smart people are not necessarily academically good, have a look at Einstein, he was never a good student. But I have to say you would have to have some skills to communicate your knowledge. And writing a thesis without research and English skills is hopeless. But many of these people I am sure are brilliant, but I doubt they would pass the TOEFL...

Well said Stu! The system sucks - just because you got a first doesn't automatically make you a good researcher! Sometimes people with less academic results make better candidates as they have more to prove so are more focused and determined. They don’t apply because they couldn’t think of anything else to do.

I will start my PhD in Biology in Jan. I was wondering if anyone has read any of the mentioned books on this site? Any comments? Any other recommendations?

Stefan,
How in the world did you manage to get a fulbright being in a Doktor Program, sorry but hard to believe..they are pretty much equal..

Is it possible? The first findaphd wedding? ;)

I see mine quite a lot as well and he's always said that his door is always open. And if I want ask anything to go ahead and ask.

Guys you really think someone here will do the research for you ??? Go to the Web pages of unis you would like to go and inform yourself...