======= Date Modified 06 15 2009 09:15:43 =======
Hi there,

I have applied for +3 funding in a different department from that in which I am doing my MA (MA in sociology dept, application in social policy dept.). I received a phone call last night saying that I had an interview in the social policy department today.

The graduate secretary who called me was not specific about it at all- just that the panel would comprise my supervisor and another bloke who works in the same area.

I was just wondering what is this interview likely to be? I doubt it is 'the' PhD interview which decides who gets the quota funding, otherwise why would my supervisor (who is not involved in funding allocation decisions AT ALL, owing to her being in a separate research unit) be there? And why would it be arranged at 6.30pm the night before, surely they would have a set date for shortlist candidates interviews? I'm guessing that it could be a chance for the bloke who will be there to meet me if he is wanting to be involved in the project (I have had a lot of issues with sueprvision because my supervisor is part of a separate research unit who don't usually take on PhD students), but if this is the case then the graduate secretary's use of the terms 'interview' and 'panel' seems slightly too formal. Moreove, if it is just a chance for him to meet me and see if he is happy to take me on and supervise me, why is it being arranged via the graduate secretary (why not personally as this is the way all my previous meetings within this department have been arranged)? So, if it isn't 'the' interview, then what will it entail? What format is it likely to take?

As you can tell, I am quite confused about what the interview entails so any light that anyone can shed on this will be very much appreciated.