When we apply, we write down the names of our referees, this is sent to the potential employers.
They then, contact the referees for reference letters.

this is what I went through when I applied for my part time job.
:-)
sleepy satchi

hi huxley
sorry to hear of your situation. Nothing can change what has happened. My best advice to you is to use the time you have (when you return to your home country) to reflect on yourself and your life aims.

Did you do a masters (in a foreign country) because you really wanted to do it (in a foreign language) or you did this so you could be with your girlfriend? What do you really want to do with your life? Do you have to get a masters degree for it?

You said you want to work in a low responsibility job to keep your stress levels low. The truth is, no matter what you do, there will be stress everywhere. Even with a simple job such as a cleaner, there will still be some stress. We cannot avoid stress. It is part of Life. All of us have to learn to deal with stress and manage ourselves to cope with it.

Don't be paranoid about the academics at your present uni giving you negative references. Let it go. Worrying about references from your undergrad professors will not change anything. If one of them has written you excellent references in the past, it may be possible that she will help you again. She might be very busy. Don't worry yourself over this.

You need to get yourself together first.
You cannot be happy with anything if you are not happy with yourself.
satchi

hi, I agree with the others.
Just be careful if you are going to meet someone who's read the paper, be prepared :-)

hi DanB
yes its normal; don't worry
satchi

hi Masafee
PM me your cv and I will make you a template.
satchi

hi Superman
this is a nice thread!!! I'm so happy for you.
mine is also positive like yours; my 1st year was a bit slow; I didn't really know what I was doing.
but this 2nd year has been great. I will have 3 papers published too (on the way) within the year.
I have done one presentation and another 2 coming up soon.
I am also happy to hear about your supervisor; everythings just great for you!
My supervisor is wonderful too; that I developed a crazy crush over him; in fact I saw him today, walking by, he looked nice but I quickly woke myself up, OUT of the DREAM ZONE. HAHAHA
Please post more good news often.
I wish you all the best and most wonderful rest of your PHD
lucky satchi

hi sue 2010
I love this forum! Here you'll find people with different personalities, temperaments (!) mostly everyone is helpful. before I started my phd I posted to this forum--and what a lot of helpful replies I got!
its nice here because we get to rant, complain, advice and speak/agree/disagree with each other whilst being anonymous; somehow we don't exist but we do exist and its comforting :-)

good luck with your phd!!!
lucky satchi

hi! oh dont worry, if you didn't send them a thank you email, this wont affect their decision.
post back and share the GOOD NEWS :-)

satchi

hi velony
Usually universities will let applicant know the outcome of the interview.
Notification within the coming week is because they have other applicants to assess, and this takes time.
Also, it could be a decision made by more than 1 person, and this takes time.
One week's wait is normal.

What I would do is send them a THANK YOU email immediately after the interview and then wait.

If you feel you have waited more than one week, it is ok to email and politely ask.
Rejection is not a bad thing. it is also not a sad thing.

happy satchi

oh I forgot: the best answer for why do you want to do a phd

the best way to answer this is to answer it yourself:
you have a reason for designing your project, you alone know why so tell them
you are your own person and you know where this phd will get you in life, so describe it in your own way

dont memorise other people's answers because there is a risk of forgetting halfway; just prepare your own answers and be yourself! every applicant is UNIQUE, every one is SPECIAL!
ok good luck! byeeee
happy satchi

hi Bwad!
dont worry if you dont have a background in accounting; this issue will eventually be resolved during your phd!
the questions to expect:
1. why do u want to do this phd
2. can u explain where this proposed project will lead to
3. questions about your project: how will you do this....., how can we achieve....., you mentioned in the methods...., how do we go around it

there will unlikely be an aptitude test if its only a 30min interview.
assuming you are not from UK, I dont think they will ask you UK stuff.
from what you have posted, my big guess is they will be more interested in hearing about your project than all things trivial!!!!

good luck!!!!
happy satchi

hi there! thanks for your reply. Makes sense and able to understand.
Ok I will look at your website. Thanks a lot for your advice and also wish you very good stats business (up)
satchi

if the MOST SUITABLE supervisor agrees to be your 2nd supervisor, why not.
The best thing is that you have THE MOST SUITABLE person in your team.
Multiple supervisors have a lot of advantages. The strenuous part is when you send in a piece of work and all the comments start coming in, then you might have a headache. BUT---as long as you have a principle supervisor to hold the reins, you will be ok.

if I were you, and dont want to change university, I'd quickly grab this MOST SUITABLE supervisor. No 2 is better than zero.

regards satchi

i love this food thread! Satchi's tips:
1. boiled egg, banana, some grapes and a piece of cheese
2. carrot stick, wheat crackers and peanut butter
3. yesterday's fried rice and apple juice
:-)

:-):-):-)