I applied a long time ago (about 4 months) for a PhD with funding. I don't know what reasons there might be for them having given me no response at all. I have emailed the supervisor directly, and yet, no response. Can anyone suggest why this might be? Should I assume that my application has been unsuccessful and move on? If this would be the case, why can't the supervisor just tell me outright?

Try ringing them

Well that would be the obvious thing to do. I did consider it, but I thought that if they weren't going to be bothered giving a short + simple reply by email, I'm only going to be fobbed off if I phone them, aren't I? I was more looking for people's suggestions as to possible reasons why they have not given any response since they're obviously not going to be forthcoming with info!

I guess they may have already appointed someone and they havent the decency to let you know. It happens. I would move on. Would you want to work for someone like that?

In my case for example they kept me waiting for 3 months, when I called the University the secretary didn't know much about it coz is the supervisor that has to choose the students going on the short list. I just think that your prospective supervisor is very busy at the moment or cannot decide!Maybe try to e-mail him again.

If you don't make it on the short list they should send you a letter and an e-mail. Silence means that probably the supervisor has not considered the matter yet particularly at this time of the year with examinations in course etc.. Good luck I hope you will get a response soon! keep trying!

Frankly- who cares.
Apply somewhere else, there are other PhDs out there. If they eventually reply- good. Heads of labs often are on conferences in the summer, so maybe he/she hasn't checked the e-post lately.

One possible reason - did you sign your email "Bicycle repair man".

No, on this occasion I had the foresight to put my real name. :)

Incidentally and unrelated, Car mechanic, have you never watched any Monty Python episodes?

I have just got a place after a good 8 months of trying to find a supervisor/topic/funding. I've had countless applications ignored of fobbed off.
But I did meet a UCL academic from a related field in the pub in Denmark (seriously) and after a few beers he gave me some advice for PhD applications. He said that an email, followed by a fax and (most importantly) a phone call will improve your CV in the eyes of the supervisor no end. And it did for me!

Thanks waiting to pounce! I'm worried though that giving them a call would seem a bit pushy - not with this application but with another. I'm worried that it might be off-putting. What was your experience? What did you say when you phoned? How did you time it? It might sound neurotic but I really am at my wits end with all the waiting. And as you say, much of the time you don't know if you will even get a reply at all.

Hi Bicycle Repair Man
I just phoned the supervisor's direct line and asked about the project one lunch time at work. I was really suprised how responsive she was. I too was really worried that I would appear too pushy, but then I think thats what they want.
I just asked what the project was, what background they were looking for and thats really it... she did most of the talkng.
After having spoken to my supervisor, she offered me an interview, and as we already had spoken, this was much more enjoyable than others I've had!

Congratulations 'waiting to pounce'. This thread should be read by everyone on the forum to show that there is hope and above all that the best person to answer your queries is the supervisor concerned. They may be unreliable when it comes to answering emails, but they are not sleeping lions waiting to pounce on the first person who dares ask a question like 'did you get my application' or 'do you know when you're likely to hear about funding?'.

The same applies to undergraduate tutors (who are usually somebody's supervisor) - if you want to know about doing a PhD then ask them and they will tell you how it works in their field. We're happy to answer any questions we can on FindAPhD and often research answers to specific questions, but the best person to ask will always be somebody working in the field. Like most people, you'll find they'll be flattered when you ask them about their job.

Once you've found all the answers, please remember to put them up on this forum so everybody else can find out what to do.

Waiting to Pounce, if you're reading this thread; thanks SOOOOOOO much for your advice! Ordinarily, I really wouldn't have had the courage to phone my prospective supervisor through fear of embarrasing myself. However, after having had the interview, I have now been offered the PhD I applied for where I had taken your advice and picked up the phone. :)

Wow, thanks. And congratulations! And you shouldn't thank me, thank Dr Mark Thomas of UCL who gave me the advice. I have. (I was just trying to find this thread to tell someone else to read it (*cough* massaging my ego *cough*))

Good luck! and be smug.