If you want a family then personally I wouldn't put it off too long as you may not get pregnant straight away. I did my previous degree which included study and clinical placements with two very young children so it can be done but it is definitely not easy!!

Thanks everyone, you've been really helpful. I'll keep in mind your advice Dr Jeckyll, thanks it's given me some ideas as to how to get started.

Thanks for your replies and useful advice. I was a bit taken aback when they asked for a presentation at my first meeting but guess I may just get prepared to up my game!

Hi, just wondering if you could give me some advise about my first PhD meeting. I have been asked for a 6 page proposal and to give a short presentation on this. How long would this presentation usually be expected t last? Should it be formal like a conference paper or more relaxed? Any hints gratefully received!! Thanks

I think this is excellent advice. I applied for three projects all within one department because I thought they were all interesting. They had a common, underlying theme. They looked upon this favourably, after all, they'd written all the briefs so they thought they were all good projects too. Of course, this may not always be the case and I was asked at interview to indicate an order of preference. Good luck with your decision.

Thanks wowzers. This is very reassuring and I guess I should just be thankful for the funding. Something made me choose that project in the first place so I saw merit in it then. As far as connection with other academics goes academic positions in my area, as probably most others, are very limited and I perhaps didn't choose that wisely in terms of my long term prospects but I do like my supervisors very much and they are experienced in working with PhD students so that is all very positive.

Thank you that is a very useful insight.

I'm INFJ too! Can't be that rare!

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I was offered two funded PhDs at two different unis and accepted one and declined the other. Now I feel I made an error of judgement in choosing the project that I did. I'm not sure whether to go ahead with it or to take some time out and reapply next year. Funded studentships in my area aren't that common but three years is a long time to work on something you are not sure about! I imagined my PhD was going to be a labour of love not a means to an end!

Just wondering do you think it would be better to take a funded PhD that you are not entirely sure about or take some time out and reapply next year for a project that you feel is more in keeping with your interests?

Well,it went pretty much as expected. They had a strong reserve candidate who accepted straight away! That's that.

Thanks for your advice, both research teams are fantastic but I prefer the other project. I'm going to contact the supervisor, I can only try!

Hi, I've been reading on here for ages but this is my first post. I was wondering if you could give me some advice. I was offered two funded PhDs at different universities starting this Sept and I feel I have chosen the wrong one. Would it be worth contacting the supervisor to ask if they would consider me again should the reserve candidate drop out? Thanks