But I don't think there IS a lack of non-Oxbridge academics in the US. Where is that information coming from because it's not my experience at all?

The information is coming my own experience - the standard credentials for US profs in my field are: liberal arts college, Harvard/Yale/Michigan (or other top-tier grad schools), followed by a year in Oxbridge/LSE.

My reasons for wanting to go: it suits my research areas, and I find US professors have a greater intellectual committment towards teaching their students, rather than seeing teaching as a necessary evil in their pursuit of research. And then of course, the pay & ability to buy property is better.

I don't find an academic career in the UK a viable option now for anyone who wants to live a comfortable lifestyle.

Jewel says "I think British PhDs are generally looked upon favourably by US academics. The lack of UK academics from outside Oxbridge or London in the US purely stems from the fact that the US has such a wealth of research institutions as well as competition from other European countries as well as the increasing numbers of high quality PhDs coming out of Asian universities."

I think this is exactly why I am concerned as to whether to bother or not. Is the competition too hot for anyone who does not possess a creme de la creme education? I wouldn't want to go out there and compete at the bottom of the pile.

Please excuse my bad grammar (why is there no editing facility on here?)

I've noticed a few people on the forum saying they are from the US or moving to the US after their PhD. I am also thinking of looking for work in N.America.

What I'd like to know is how is a British PhD and HE education 'really' perceived in the US? Does it help or hinder?

I have a 'red brick' UG degree, followed by a Masters and PhD (soon) from the Uni. of London. I won't disclose my subject area - but it is ultra competitive field. On this basis, I considered myself an above average student/candidate but not a high-flier. So...how would this be perceived by US academia and generally?

In terms of academic jobs, it appears that more often than not only Oxbridge degrees feature on academics credentials, and less frequently London. I have never seen anyone in my subject area with a red brick degree in a US faculty.

I was always under the impression that official IQ tests didn't even have a score of 170! Maybe he took the test on one of those dodgy online IQ sites that gives everyone a genius score, then offers a certificate for a fee. :)

Simon came across all humble - but he is just arrogant as the rest.

Claire should be careful - she is playing hardball but doesn't have the wit or comebacks that Katie Hopkins did...and like Katie she'll lose her corporate job/career in the real world if she keeps playing the bitch.

All good entertainment!

Grrr you'll have to excuse my typos ...no editing facility on here!

I think you're doing your PhD for all the wrong reasons. I hope I didn't offend you by suggesting your parents didn't have a higher education - but this often explains their lack of understanding of pressure involved. Since they have gone through HE, they must be aware of the acute pressures on students.

I also real you may be misjudging your parents - if they are good people they will care only about your welfare and your happiness. Have you actually explained you feelings to them?

I agree with the other posters - take time out.

I think everyone feels at some point that they are 'not good enough' to do a PhD. Well at least I 'think' most people have these periods of self doubt...(does anyone agree?).

Try to talk to an academic advisor or your supervisor...or just some in academia that is approachable.

I just wonder if your parents have a higher education themselves, as I find those that don't tend to see a PhD another 3 years of 'dossing' and does not equate to a stressful job (I hope that doesn't sound terribly snobby...but it's basically an alien world to someone who has not been to university).

Also remember your PhD may take more than 3 years - I think the average time is more like 4 years after submitting etc. It's a long haul, and not something to start full of doubts.

Age has no bearing on when you can do a PhD. I notice in the sciences PhDers tend to be young as the course is a natural progression for many people from undergraduate studies, but in other disciplines I've seen people from a huge range of ages.

I would be reluctant to do a PhD without full funding.

Maree, I worked abroad for several month during the start of my PhD and was very homesick, and got no work done!

I would suggest you try to split your year up into quarters and aim to write a chapter and then reward yourself with a trip home. This will force you off the internet (my worse addiction) and back to your work. If you're not working over here, it's likely your PhD will drag on a lot longer than your expected (I'm on year 5!) and the goal of finishing becomes less achieveable.

This is undoubtedly nasty. It's unjustified for her not to point you in the right direction (you'd almost think she wants you to do badly).

I've seen fellow PhD student mess-up in their presentations, and staff are only to happy to nudge them in the right direction.

Try to look towards another academic for help, and explain what she said (very diplomatically, of course).

An awkward lecturer or supervisor is normally well-known by students and fellow colleagues for having a personality problem, and other members of faculty are only too happy to help.

The only justification for her response is if you genuinely have not read around your subject well enough, and there is a very obvious and unforgiveable gap in your research. After all, the point of doing a PhD is to train as an independent researcher.

Nevertheless, I find it is normally the academics who are insecure about their own abilities and research that tend to act like complete prats to students.

Excuse me for hijacking this thread...but are these Gradschool courses any good?

I went to an afternoon skills course ran by one of the people behind the 'Gradschool' initiative. While it was very interesting and lots of good points were made - it was also heavily laden with psychobabble and ice-breaker games etc. Personally, I have no patience for this wishy-washy stuff.

While I would be interested in attending one of the three-day courses I don't really want to waste my time either.

Should I or should I not attend one?

Try the big pharma companies, they often offer PhD places.

I would advise that if you don't get full or partial funding (i.e. from the uni or research council) don't do the PhD. I know this is harsh, but you're looking at saddling yourself with an awful lot of debt.

As a rough guess - a self-funded PhD would cost about £40,000. Fees x 3 years = £12k roughly, and £9k x 3 years for living expenses = approx £40k. In London, I'd up that to about £50,000 plus. This excludes expensive conferences etc. and reflects budget living.

It was reported in the Guardian recently that international students often leave with £200,000 of debt (???)

It's unlikely any bank, particularly with the current credit-crunch, is going to offer this type of money over 3 years. .

There is a Career Development Loan scheme - I forget who runs this, but I have no idea it would offer funding for three years.

Sorry not to be more positive