I always do,

never hurts and explains why you are sending a c.v.

I keep a standard format one and change the adressee, job title and reasons why I am applying (brief).

Also if you have spoken to someone - it can acts as a good prompt for them to remember you e.g. 'I enclose my c.v. following a recent discussion with Dr. .....'

Keep it light and informative and very short 2 paragraphs at the most I'd say - there is plenty of advice online as far as writing a good covering letter

good luck

S

melib, unfortunately I'm not familiar with what is involved in your type of research and how people diversify from their stated projects

As I say in science it is very common for people to choose the direction of their project after the first year.

To be honest I think you should probably speak to your supervisor for guidance as even if they aren't familiar with your specific field, they will be able to advise you in regards to the way in which it should be researched

good luck

S

my experience 3 months for one through a research centre 3-4 weeks for the rest through universities

still wouldn't hurt to contact them and ask when you should expect a decision?

congrats, good luck!
having it accepted is what makes it good

It can be quite a while dependant on the process and amount of applications -

Sometimes they state that if you don't hear back it means you haven't been selected - this may be due to a high volume of applicants

but I wouldn't hesitate to email or phone them to ask when you might expect a decision - its not unreasonable as long as you don't pester them daily

good luck

s

I meant to add, this happened to me too. It sucked but had to get on with it - and it all worked out

I'm sure it will for you too

nooooooooooooooooooo!

melib, depends what stage in your PhD you are at

later on in PhDs its very common for people to specialize in fields that their supervisors know nothing about (particularly in science, don't know about others) - unfortunately unless you know someone who does, it will be up to you to get it right and this means lots and lots of reading

But raising valid concerns with your supervisor about the direction of your project may help.

I'm sure most places will take you if you have all the cash to give them - I would just be careful to make sure the supervisor is interested in the work you want to do - and not just your cash

Finding a good interested supervisor will vastly affect your ability to produce a quality PhD.

I'm not clear on if you have already got a research proposal but would suggest you make sure you get a realistic research proposal outline with acheivable goals agreed between you and any potential supervisors before agreeing to start with them - without this it could end up very misdirected.

There are unfortunately supervisors out there (not just in the UK) who will gladly take your money in exchange for you using their workspace but then not contribute to your success.

Good luck

s

Mums seem to be the worst offenders - based on the replies here

mine too!

only just this morning, mine sent an email telling me that I should book the go-carting session she gave me for Xams now, as a date to aim for submission - talk about trivialising the work - I don't even like go-carting!

I've got 6 weeks to submit and a Post-Doc in the States starting in 10 weeks - I think thats enough of a deadline

I don't think they realise the effort it takes to write - keeping in mind that most people will never have done an extended period of writing and it always seems easier from the outside looking in

I changed it to saying I was doing my Doctorat - people seem to understand the outcome a bit better for that - a lot of people do't know PhD means your title changes to Dr

But then (if you are a scientific doctor anyway) you get into the argument of who's the real doctors? Doctor = teacher in Latin, etc etc

Here's what grinds my gears! All of these non-PhD folk understand the commitment required to getting a high school education and Degrees and will tell you how difficult that was for them!

What changes in their mind when its a PhD - 2 steps up from a degree?

Without really knowing how big the table is, how much data is on it, what size font you need and what you have already tried its difficult to suggest anything.
Have you tried Dragging the margin sliders at the top and side of the word document to increase the size of the printable area - you can increase these quite a bit and try
If you can let us know a bit mroe about the table then I might be able to help

yep! no point in listing someone who will give you a bad reference! at least he was honest enough to tell you first rather than sabotage your job.

Find the most suitable reference - and your reason might be that you have had little to no contact with this supervisor due to distant learning etc - but only if they ask

good luck

S

I can almost guarantee you that most PhD thesis' look like that - all the ones I've read anyway - I really wouldn't worry you'll be fine!