I am in a weird situation. I have applied to many unis and my references live in diff parts of world. One of them with who I worked only last year and the other is my old prof who taught me in undergraduation. I have sent all the applications with their references thinking they would comment on my ability. I recently learnt from one of the unis that one of my references has given a really brief letter and that hardly explains about my abilities. I understand that both of them are extremely busy with their work; however I guessed a reference letter would be atleast a page long commenting on my performance and abilities. I know I cant ask him why has he done like that. One of the lady at one of the unis said, that reference letters are just a formality and as long as it is positive, it shouldnt be a problem, but i think it is one of most important things of my application. I have no idea what to do? I know many people who can comment really well about me and I have known them for ages now.

no idea!

i have all that without speaking to him on phone, all thru e-mails and hes helped me in my RP and many more things, by sending articles to read and also emailing a couple of them when i could not find them.. i am in the final stage of the process where the uni has to decide about my application..i guess my sup has to fight for funding for me, which is why i fear, because he is ever so sweet to everyone and he may agree for any of his colleague to take the funds .
i havent contacted him from past two weeks and the results are out next month..the wait is killing!!

thanks for your reply sylvester! I have never got a chance to speak to my potential supervisor yet!! hopefully i would get to be a part of his research team for next 3-4 years!!.. waiting with fingers crossed

I havent called my potential supervisor regarding the project; however there are quite a few exchange of e mails. Does it mean, he could think I am less interested. I never had to call him to ask him anything. I dint want to pounce on him. Is it mandatory to call up and speak to them to show our enthusiasm??

congrats sylvester!!

I honestly understand how u feel, because I got my first rejection news today.. and it is quite disheartning... it has ruined my day.. but i guess it is all a part of the life...
but with my application, they have told me that my application was rejected because I dint have enough research experience.. it is a bit ironical because the whole reason for me to apply for a phd is to do research...

Sry.. i think I am getting a bit too much involved and should be back in life within hours...

Can I ask the potential supervisor about the competition I have for the PhD? I am in touch with a professor in a Uni, where the project I am interested is going on. We had an exchange of mails for more than 2 months and he has been helpful;however I havent emailed him for more than 3 weeks now. I want to know how many more have applied for the same project and also more about the qualifications of them, can I ask him directly or will it be a bit cheeky and non professional?

cool!! congrats!! .. i guess u r a star..

I have applied to a couple of universities some 2 months back and i spoke to my referees a couple of days back. They say, they have not been contacted yet.. The unis promise to respond to any applications within 8-10 weeks and now it almost the time and they have not even contacted the referees.. what does it mean? or does it mean anything at all? did u guys had/having this problem ?

That was exactly my question. the project is really great and unique and has it own specific focus and is not been done anywhere else. The question was 'What if I read everything about this project and then I dont get it'. All other projects could be similar, though not the same. SO efforts could lead me nowhere?!!

And I completely agree with Muvi, regarding intl students search for funding.. I am in the same boat.. so even after keeping the options open anything could happen? I had asked if anyone had/is having such an experience.

Thank you very much for all your replies.. It is interesting to how the discussion goes ahead. In a public forum like this, it gets personal and offensive (to a few).. one could do a research on this itself.. well I would love to do as my subject is similar to this situation but more specific to organisational context. I sincerely agree with a couple of guys here (Muvi and anongerman), we could develop interest in any subject particularly if the subject is related.

pity us

I am in the application process yet and havent attended any interview. I am not sure of how positive can it be? Anyways I have been told by a uni (which I am hoping to get into because of the project that is being done there)told that they would shortlist the applications by next month and will be notified. I have put my best application;however we should think of both sides of the coin. I am reading the stuff related to the project, what if they dont call me for the interview.All my efforts could lead me nowhere. Have any of you guys experienced it earlier.

Well I have applied now... and have to wait for the responses.... the wait is killing....