Hello all,

I'm in the PhD application process and I've been called for an interview at a red brick university. I did my MA at a less prestigious, younger university and I'm sure I'll be asked why I did not choose to stay there for a PhD. The answer to this question is really vague in my mind, or at least not something that I can explain honestly in the interview. I do not wish and mean to say they lacked the expertise and saying that the applied university is so great and unique in the area sounds too cheesy and "just for a change of location" doesn't do it either. I feel absolutely daft for having such a question unsolved in my mind, but would welcome suggestions.

Thanks a lot and happy holidays to all!

leaf

Hello,

I recently finished my MA with distinction (though not official yet) and am applying for a PhD with funding, which is quite competitive as I'm an overseas student. I've got good credentials and a project that I have full faith in - my MA dissertation will be published in an online academic journal and I'll be giving a paper in an academic conference - so everything's fine. Yet, there's this thing that I had completely forgotten - my undergraduate GPA (which is not in a directly related subject than my PhD and my MA) is not glowing, in fact, it is 2.57/4.00 which equals a lower second in the UK, I guess. Do you think it is significant enough while being considered for a studentship? Would it ruin all my efforts to gain a place with funding?

Thanks a lot and good luck to all,

leaf.

Hi Emma,

I am in a similar position and I so understand this feeling of self pressure. I just handed in my MA dissertation on a film and women's studies related subject and immediately I found myself lost in planning a substantial PhD proposal. I will do my PhD in Film Studies but again in a related field with Women's Studies.
I do recommend Harvard University's wonderful guide to research on Women's Studies. It is just amazing how thoroughly it explains every step with so fine details.
Here's the link:
http://isites.harvard.edu/fs/docs/icb.topic649702.files/Women.pdf

Best of luck!

First of all, I must say I love this forum. This is an absolute moment of "everything you wanted to ask... but couldn't" for me. I personally love Carr's table water biscuits with honey, cheese, anything you can think of. They are weirdly filling and low in calories. Also, corn flakes with natural or Greek yoghurt plus diet coke is the best meal I can think of. Though I know nobody else that likes it except myself.
Go ahead's apple & sultana biscuits and low fat tea biscuits with tea are great for snacks. Weight watchers' tiny chocolate muffins are also awesome, the best mocklate that i can think of.

Destiny, congratulations. So you don't actually need to get your degree and a distinction to get accepted? I will definitely contact the provisional supervisors of course once I finish my dissertation and have a substantial proposal. Good luck with your PhD. :)

Thanks a lot Cobweb and TheAce.

Cobweb, it's a bit of both for me as well. Mine is a Middle Eastern Studies related subject and the research centres and sources are the best in the UK as well as the the professors I'm hoping to supervise my project. I have already met some of them in conferences. And I can't say I don't really mind the reputation. :)
I will apply for some other universities too but I just wanted to see if it sounded ridiculously improbable. Thanks for the encouraging comments. Good luck to you as well. :)

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Hi all,

Might sound a bit daft but I'm hoping maybe someone could give an idea. I am about to finish an MA degree in a not quite a reputable university in the league tables and RAE's. I am still writing my dissertation and I believe I will have a distinction with probably 73/100 and I have an IELTS score of 8.00/9. I am hoping to apply for a PhD in Cambridge, Oxford and SOAS London. Is it likely to be accepted to these universities with such qualifications?

Many thanks.