hi guys, what do you do when those around you aren't amused that you are hoping to do a phd, but pretend they are? how do you live with the apathy? without mentors as well? how do you stay motivated?

In such case I think how interesting my life will be after I move to London to study, and how interesting it will be once I start as a lecturer at some good university and do my own research and go to conferences all around the globe. I love just thinking about it. I don't care what people think about me - a female getting a PhD. It's like a dream for me. Although I know it will be hard and challenging, but I like it!!! It will change my life!

it hurts, i know, but its life. my nursery school teacher said i was too dump to make it thro school. a psychiatrist recently told me that if i did a PhD NO MAN WOULD MARRY ME!! i know. am a masters of law student today, at one of the UK's top law schools & will be starting my PhD in sept. sometimes we have to walk the walk on our own. thank God we have friends at FindaPhD.com who are always there 4us. follow your dreams girl! if an African girl like me can, you can.

A mentor doesn't have to be someone that you know personally, e.g., a relative or friend, for me, i look up to my lecturers and my friends who are PhD students. ya, i totally agree with Alex. keep your dreams alive by thinking about what it's gonna be like when you're doing your PhD & after. Thanks Alex!

Go for it! I just think about how cool it will be to do one and especially those global conferences - I'm with you there Alex! If a man is so insecure about you having a PhD he's not worth marrying!! Where did your psycharist get that idea from? It's so outdated!

hey Alex & Doodles, thanks for the encouragement. am planning my first conference to Amsterdam in September! Can't wait to get started & hopefully i will get published shortly afterwards!about my psychiatrist, i thought so too...they ain't all positive as one would think about life.

Alex you are so lucky. I really want to study Phd in uk. But it is quite diffecuit to apply Phd in Uk becuase I am Asia student. Most university accept only Eu students. : - (

A reply to "want to study Phd" student. I am from Eastern Europe, and have not more chances than you do! But I have been accepted to two Phd programmes out of four already, and my application has been entered for two scholarships at one of these universities (Although I will know the results only in August). So don't tell me about being a foreigner. I just don't accept your excuses! You have to try harder than others perhaps, but it worth the result!!! Good luck to all of you, by the way!

I agree with Alex. It's tough getting a PhD place as it's very competitive for both EU and international students, especially if there is funding available. You'll just have to see what is available - there are awards just for overseas students only. You'll have to check with the uni that you're interested in how they work! Wow - 2 out of 4 is a really good success rate! Good luck with funding! I'm also waiting to hear about mine. Fingers crossed!

I should also add it's just as tough for UK students which is why I'm impressed with your success rate Alex.

Alex!!I couldn't agree more with you!It is also my dream since i am small kid and it fascinates me the idea of doing GLOBAL science!!As for the motivation, I choosed carefully my PhD so I AM MOTIVATED and had luck to find GREAT PEOPLE in the lab in Pavia(italy)!GREAT MENTOR TOO!!!completely the opposite from my previous mentor as an Erasmus in Utrecht(holland)

A PhD program is harder to get into for International students if they are not European, American or British.

Alex, it's so easy to be 'entered' for a scholarship. getting it is the real hurdle. keep your hopes high tho..it's good for your morale. same here, too many entries, too few positive replies.

Alex and others, Like most PhD students, your views belong to someone who has little or no real world experience.

I have to disagree with MM. It helps to dream and make plans because eventually it gets us there!!!

As for me, having over 7 years of work experience in both real business world and research world, I know what I am talking about. I know the world of academia quite well to understand what I am heading for.