are you sure its a stress related skin conditon?

I am getting increasingly stressed. I have applied to ~ 10 (maybe more) different institutions for PhD's with(3-4 alternate options at each institute). From this I have had ~ 4 interviews. Apart from 1 (im still awaiting the outcome), I have been refused from every where. I have a first class degree with an award for best dissertation and a year in industry. I dont know what else I can do apart from working in industry again (which means relocating, plus I dont fancy doing that for another year). I can't afford to do masters. I feel like giving up on this PhD business its far too competitive. Maybe I dont fit into the academic mould. I know what I want to do but I can't do it!Agggh!!!

When applying for a job they say you should wait ~2 weeks after the interview for a response and if you havent heard anything presume you havent got it. Is the same true for a PhD? One supervisor said they would let me know the outcome by Thursday (that was 2 weeks ago)? Is it okay to e-mail supervisors to find out the outcome? How long after the interview should you wait?

Thanks for the advice. I think the job agency scared me with their "sales talk". I definatley agree that you can only progress so far in industry with a degree. On the other hand, the relevance of the PhD to the job roles that are availble in industry is very important.

I am taking the PhD. I hope it pays off.

Im in a similar situation. I have had a job offer and a PhD offer...I really dont know what to do. How much is a PhD (a non-CASE one from a university) actually worth in industy? How relevent is it? I recently got told that I would be in a better position in the eyse of industry with degree and years placement than with a PhD. I suppose I have to decide wether I want to work in industry or academia but I can not.

Why is the transition from academia to industry (or vice-versa) so diffcult?

I apologise for my crap grammer in the previous post. My laptop decided it would post the topic while i was in the process of correcting it.

I have completed a biology degree with a year in industry.
I had my heart set on doing a PhD until recently. It would appear that it is more difficult to get a job in industry with a PhD (gained through a University) than without. Is this true?
The academia/industry dilemma sems like a "double edged sword".