Thanks for the tip - just got two free tickets via Diet Coke!

6 hours a week is quite a lot when you factor in the preparation. Personally, I think it's too much in addition to a full-time PhD. Lots of lecturers teach for 6/7 hrs a week - so you are on par with their teaching load.

My brother was teaching for 4/5 hours a week when starting he PhD, and his prep took him up to about 20 hrs a week. He eventually quit as he decided he was being ripped off and earning less than the min. wage per hr.

On the plus side, it is great way to get teaching experience.
But basically, it's very cheap labour for the university.

I'm not doing too bad, Lara, but I must produce another chapter within 3/4 weeks.

I'm leaning towards double spacing myself - but because I'll be writing around 90-100k, it will probably result in binding the thesis in 2 volumes, which I don't want to do.

For a science PhD, double spacing seems a more sensible option as you'll have figures n' stuff (---that's me being technical).

Remo, where are u planning to study? the US or UK or ....

In the UK, you generally need at the least a 3.3 GPA (2.1) plus a high grade at masters to get on a PhD course. Your high GPA at masters equates to a distinction here....but I don't know what your other degree grade is...if it's the equivalent of a 2.2 or third...then your chances of gaining a place (and funding) are probably not as strong.

BUT...so many other factors come into the equation eg. the competition for the PhD course in question, work experience, the standard of your written work, and where you previously studied.

The only thing you can do is apply...and find out!

You should try exploiting the university where you got your excellent masters grades from (they know your best capabilities), and use contacts via your profs at that university as a springboard for applications.

* that should be replies, not replying.

If you're not getting replying to important emails - then yes, ask your supervisor to help. They are there to help you with contacts etc. Some academics will not reply or get in touch unless someone higher up the ladder gives them a little nudge.

I've just changed my margins - I don't like the big gap on the left - but alas, it's required!

What font and spacing are you using?

I am using Times New Roman, and 1 1/2 spacing. Some people use double spacing, but this seems to spacey to me.

I'm justifying the text.

World ranking are not normally a big concern in the UK.

Good luck with the July deadline Lara! You seem to be progressing very well.

F*ck, I must change my margins!!

I agree with you Hypothesis! Apart from the use of "Dr Hypothesis, PhD" ...that's considered tautological.

Although maybe if everyone with the 'Dr' title did write PhD, MD, DPhil, DNP, etc. after their names, thus defining their speciality, it would solve some problems.

Someone once told me that to be successful at PhD level, you must have a true passion for your subject matter, and without that passion it's very unlikely you'll succeed.

Personally, I don't wholly agree with this as I don't have a particular passion for my PhD subject, and many other PhDers do not either. However, I do have a great passion to complete my PhD.

Either way, the word 'passion' crops up when talking about PhDs.

So if the prospect of a PhD has not really been at the forefront of your mind, and it's not something you're immediately passionate about, I'd recommend you give it a miss for now, or at the very least, give the matter a huge amount of considered thought.

A nice little story about Germany becoming over-zealous about the 'Dr' title:

http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/03/07/who-are-you-calling-doctor/

Check out some how-to/guides to PhDs. They often include a research proposal chapter.

The UK seems to be stuck between the practice found in many continental European countries who make common use of the 'Dr' or 'Prof' titles (and are proud of it), and the North American practice where the 'Dr' title is not so commonly used, but rather 'Ph.D.' is prolifically stuck at the end of one's name. Of course, most N. American academics achieve the 'Prof' title earlier in their careers, so they are not so hung up on the notion of using 'Dr'.

Maybe a partial solution is to move to the North American title system. Then we can introduce ourselves as professors and no one is under the impression that should they keel over we can offer them medical assistance. Warwick has already adopted the US system: lecturers are now assistant professors.

(excuse the typos in other post).

When I started my PhD I was of the opinion that I wouldn't use my 'Dr' title. But after 5 years of hard work, and researching in other countries and experiencing their use of the 'Dr' title, I believe I have every right to use it - and I will do. This doesn't mean I'll shove in people's faces, but I will use it in business and academic settings, and I will change my title on my bank account etc. In fact, just about everyone I know with a PhD does so.

Medical doctors have no problem using their title all the time (ie. outside their profession), and flashing it about (in my experience of newly qualified medical drs anyway). So why shouldn't PhD's? Do we have a lesser right to do this because some people are ignorant, and we may offend them? As for aeroplanes, they only ever ask for a 'medical doctor', they would never ask just for a 'doctor' as in many countries the 'Dr' title is used commonly by all doctoral holders. Airlines are not anglo-centric.