IMPORTANT: PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU READ THE LAST BIT!

Well, as the orginal thread starter who is 76 days older and less than 76 days wiser I can share my experience with you -

Nearly all places made me sweat when waiting for outcome, I did all my applications Oct/Nov time. A few got back to be near the pre specified interview time, some let me know after they'd finished the interviews and selected exactly who they wanted, this happened even when they did not invite for an interiview.

As a general picture of my expierence, no place rejected me quickly, they all waited until at least until the first round before putting the boot in.

Most importantly: the place I got an offer from actually bungled my application (a problem with hotmail accounts), I emailed them then they apologised profusely and invited me for a very very late interview. Anything can happen, someone is sick, computer problems, maybe you forget to hand in something, your references haven't submitted etc etc

Another place informed me of a rejection when i emailed them, they also pointed me in the direction of other projects when I did this. This also happened at another place.


My advice: PLEASE PLEASE CHASE UP YOUR APPLICATIONS AFTER A MONTH, unless they have specified not too, it can't do any harm and if i didn't do so I would have my back to the wall and be right up against it

Hey Thanks for your advice,

Turns out I got rejected from my first two interviews and landed the third. You were absolutely right - going to more and more interviews builds confidence and improves your technique.

I am so happy about this I had everything riding on this one.

Cheers

I understand where you are coming from, contacting your referees can make you feel uncomfortable - especially if the most your relationship extends to a nod of the head when you pass them on the street. The question as to whether or not they are neccesary is redundent as almost all places ask for them, in my opinion it is a clever a way of cutting down the number of applicants. I say this because I expect every supervisor to give their students a cracking reference.

The reality is that writing a reference is part of their job. This is your future, it is reasonable to expect someone to copy and paste on a few forms for a 3 year studentship. My advice is to do whatever it takes to get it done, this is important.

Make it easy for them: I wrote them a reference template and said to use it if they are strapped for time. Even if they don't use it, its a good gesture of goodwill, you can also load it with examples of things that you've done that they can't remember.

Hope this helps

I had 3 interviews last month and currently have had one replies stating that I am on the reserve list, promptly followed by an offer to be put on another shortlist.

I am sweating over the other places - UCL and Babraham, I hate clinging on waiting for something to happen, I have another interview next week, I feel its going to be a do or die interview.

Is anyone else in the same position, anyone willing to share experiences?

Because I have just shaken the 8 ball in my head and its come up with:

"Outlook is bleak"