Yes, it's my 'crappy poly' comment. Unfortunately, some ex-poly's are crap and if we are to present to extremes of HE institutions based on prestigious qualities, we are faced with Oxford at one end, and a badly-managed, underfunded crap ex-poly at the other end. This is reality. Another irritating reality is the importance of RAE results.

It's unfortunate Alice that you employ passive-aggressive comments rather than just directly addressing mine or any other comments that you take issue with. It causes confusion.

Yep, I agree, good academic writing needn't be difficult to understand nor should it be pretentious. It really annoys me when I read an article where the author has gone out of their way to use highfalutin language combined with 100 word sentences in order to put forward a simple point.

I try to follow the rule of making an academic point as clearly and simply as I can, and in the shortest possible way i.e. cutting the 'flab' from the text. Although, I don't always succeed.

I generally interpret 'journalistic' writing as subjective and 'academic' writing as objective logic with evidential support - so I don't think your supervisor is necessarily saying your work is simplistic, but probably that your work is grounded in too much subjectivity. To prevent this, rather than thinking about changing your writing style per se, pretend that you are defending your work in a court of law, and everything you say must be backed up with evidence, and that all counter-arguments are refuted i.e. 'defend' your work at all times. This should help prevent your work from becoming less informal and too opinionated.


"lowest common denominator"...was that the Daily Mail then? :p

Hazyjane has covered all the bases with respect to making up your mind about going or staying, but I'd just add that your parents are very right to mention about the economic climate. The job market is terrible at the moment, and you have to consider that in the time it takes to find a decent job you may have actually got your PhD finished. Don't underestimate just how bad it is to find a job at the moment (particularly if you're not coming from a top 20, or even top 10 university now). It may be very wise to stay put until you find a job.

Last year I decided I no longer wanted to pursue an academic career, but now it looks like it's the only route available to me, as the corporate sector is drying up. In this respect, you may find a PhD is a very valuable tool to have in the next 5 years with respect to finding employment.

======= Date Modified 04 Mar 2009 11:02:24 =======
Yep, I agree, it's not like Oxford v crappy poly. Bear in mind the new RAE results, overall QMUL went up to 11th place blowing many of the Russell Group out the water, and was also much higher than KCL. Obviously, you need to check out the RAE results for your specific discipline.

When it comes to the UoL colleges, I've been to a few, I've always found them much the same.

I'd say ditch it also. It's just too generic.

Dukes, universities don't have time to sift through CVs and then decide if to request references. You'll find this the case with some academic jobs too now - they'll request an application and references all before short-listing. This can be a pain because you're constantly pestering people for a references, but as said below, it's part of an academics job to provide references and they rarely refuse to do so.

If you are unsure that one of your referees don't remember you, then don't worry! Academics write hundreds of references for tutees they have only met on a handful of occasions. But make their life easy by supplying them with an up-to-date CV and lots of information about the job.

Having your supervisor available once a week is more than enough at PhD level - however, just because she is 'available' may not necessarily mean you'll get a supervision with her once a week, but more likely once every 2 weeks or once a month....which frankly is more than most students get.

It sounds like you have a diligent supervisor.

"I really wish I could take the "get pregnant and let my partner sort it out" option, but as I am a man this is unlikely." That smacks of sexism!!


Given the current economic climate, I believe it's quite right that banks don't lend to anyone who is not in a secure and permanent job - I wouldn't expect a stipend or postdoc salary to be considered good enough for a mortgage....certainly not now.

PhD/academic life = deferred gratification (often ad infinitum).

Try looking at the British Council website, that always seems to be the best source for funding opportunities for overseas students.

Haha Smoobles!  I've also heard the same rumours, but also have never seen any proof that there is anything wrong with staying at the same institution.

In fact, I have always thought staying at the same university shows consistency and that the person is well-regarded by the staff in their department. I've also found that people who end up staying for more than one degree at the same university will often be offered a job at their university, which stands to sense as they have shown so much loyalty.

Twomules, go to the university that best suits your research and choice of supervisor.

I agree with Ruby here, are you sure you have done enough research to warrant a PhD? I'd be concerned if I'd gone straight from UG to PhD, and then submitted 6 mths early.

Have you read successful PhD theses from your department?

Also, do you have another member of your department that you can consult on this?

======= Date Modified 21 Feb 2009 12:13:36 =======
Dhara, a PhD is ready to submit when you and your supervisor think it will pass. No one on the forum can really say 'yes submit' or 'no, don't', because only you and your supervisor know the standard of your work. All I would say is that submitting a PhD after 2 years and 5 mths is fairly uncommon (and if I'm not mistaken, not allowed in many universities), and you really have to ask yourself and your supervisor whether you would pass. Frankly, I find your supervisor's comments a little irresponsible with respect to saying it would be 'rather bad luck' should you end up with an MPhil.

Is the gamble worth taking after all the money you have spent on your PhD studies?

James, is right, you're better house-sharing on £150 a week. If you find a studio, you then have to pay all the utilities on top of that, and sort out council tax exemptions etc. - it gets expensive, and for £600 a month you'll most likely end up in a flea pit and/or terrible area. I was paying £900 for my rent in London many years ago, and that was for a tiny flat, but I always try to live in 'safe' areas, which inevitably means affluent areas.

Sharing with one other person would be the best option on your budget - especially if the other person is the owner and at work all day.

My brother has lived in two flats (sharing with just the owner) in nice (safe!) areas of SW London for under £600 a month. Notably, both places have been far away from tube, but he prefers using the overhead anyway.

spareroom.co.uk is good, and sometimes advertises studios.

Hi,

Management isn't my discipline, but I'd say to go to MBS. The university is huge and it's gaining a good international reputation since its merger.

Just because Cass is in London doesn't necessarily mean it wil have the best networking opportunities as it has to be compete directly with big-hitters like London Business School.

Lots of Chinese students attend Manchester, so I imagine it has a very good reputation back in China if that's where you intend to work.

You'd probably get much better feedback if you post on an MBA forum rather than a general postgrad forum.