Is it normal for students to accept a PhD position and then keep going for more interviews to try and get a place with a better research group? Is it ethical?!

Basically my supervisor is set in stone about the direction he wants my work to go in. I want to consider all possibilities but he won't even take them seriously.(He admits he is very closed minded). My main gripe is that he admitted that the project was written to get funding and he has no intention of pursuing the avenues there. I, of course, chose the project on the basis of this info.
What should I do?

Only you can answer this - think what type of career you want and then ask someone in that type of position how best to get there. A PhD will lead to such different career path to an MSc. it is important to get it right. Do your research.

In reality if you really cant answer this question then you should not be considering doing the PhD until you are sure what to expect both before and after. However if you are sure then how about getting the question in first - i.e. What career opportunities can I expect after this PhD?? - where do you see this leading to in the future?? etc.... make them sell it to you - thus making it look like youve thought about it seriously!

Think about everything carefully - first impressions are great but I personally wish i had looked at other things not connected to the project more objectively such as where it is - social life , distance from partner/family. I didnt consider this as I was so bowled over at getting PhD I wanted and now find I have a very isolated and unhappy life outside of work - living in a very small village hundreds of miles from anyone I know and woking essentially alone. Try to picture a typical week living and working there...

there should be a point of contact such as an administrator named on the application procedure whom you have every right to contact and ask such questions without appearing pushy by asking the supervisor directly. The time period between applying nad hearing totally varies depending on the number of applicants - start date, who is around to interview etc.. but you have a right to know when you can expect to hear so you can carry on with other options - too often unsuccessful candidates are just left hanging..

both. if you know exactly the person who might have the same research interest with you, it is better to send your cv, referees, whatever, directly to him/her. he/she will consider your application and decide if he/she want you to process the formal application.

I am a Ghanaian and currently studying for the Mphil at Cambridge, UK. I have just been offered an offer to study for PhD in Political Science at Universitry of Alberta, Canada. I am looking for funding opportunities to enable undertake my studies, begining in September.

As a non UK student (French), and about application for a PhD, i'd like to know if i can send my CV, covering letter and referees directly to the person indicated by 'application enquiries to' or if i have to complete an application form available at the website of the university linked to the project and send it to the university (and also to the project supervisor)?
Thank you

iam working in pharma R & D since 5 years especially in drug discovery and synthetic organic chemistry and i want to pursue my phd in organic chemistry in any US university i need help in this

I am at a loss as to what to do..i desperatly want to do a structural biology PhD but after numerous interviews and having a 2.1 BSc UCL and MSc Bioinformatics am finding it impossible...I am told i am strong on interviews and qualified. Why is it so impossible to get a place? And where and what can i do when i get nothing or am told i am on waiting lists? is this really a NO?

I had the same problem. I spoke casually with grad tutor one day and effectively made a very, very informal complaint about lack of supervision, training (which was promised at my interview) and equipment. Basically, I was ostracised. I quickly developed independence. Now (after 18 months) I'm considering changing the theme of my PhD... the supervisor’s ideas turned out to be pants. If he doesn’t like it, he and the university might be discussing it with the solicitor I got in touch with over 12 months ago. Be ready for any eventuality, and take no shit!

I was just wondering is there any average length of time from sending off your apllication form to hearing if you have got an interview? if so how long does it normally take?

Hello,

I am Neha from India. I have been admitted to the PhD program in Economics at Michigan State University and Boston University. I am looking for an opportunity to financially support my PhD.

I have a strong academic background and for past one year i have been working as a Research Associate . I would realllly appreciate if you could you let me of ANY such opportunity ( fellowship/schol etc )?

[email protected]

A man in London has recently completed his PhD at the age of 93, so you shouldn't have too many problems!