I have been anxious for some time because the results of my Phd applications will be announced very soon. I have submitted several applications to different universities but I am so worried that there will be no offer eventually. It is my second time applying for phd programs. Last time, i got nothing in the end. To prepare well for my second round of phd applications, I have worked so hard and tried to gain as much research experience as possible. Fortunately, i got one paper published in a prominent journal in my field and presented a few papers at different conferences. Although i have got some postive feedback from potential supervisors, i am still very anxious. I will break down if i get nothing again in the end. I think i will leave academia too if i have no offer!

Good luck!

Good luck - you've done a lot to give yourself the best chance. Sometimes there is an element of being in the 'right place at the right time' with these things, so please remember whatever happens that you are a good candidate and have done all the right things!

Thanks a lot for your positive words! I have done my best! I know there is something that is out of my control. I am always ready for the worst to come. But of course I hope this wont happen!

What I have said is right! I got a notifcation that one of my PhD applications got rejected! How come? Why does this happen to me again?

I agree with the engineer. Later, you will look back on the rejection and how you persevered and gain strength from it. Good luck with the remaining ones. How many did you put in?

Tudor_Queen, There are 6 universities in my place, so I submitted one application to each university. Last time, I also submitted six applications. Because all my applications were rejected, I asked my refereers to give me some advice on my next round of phd applications. I did do what they said like doing well in the master's program, giving presentations at conferences, and publishing research articles. I think that I am a strong applicant as compared with my classmates. But I dont understand why failure comes to me again. I have been working non-stop (from 10-10 every day）to prepare well for my phd applications. No holiday and rest! But my efforts did not pay off! I am very tired!

TheEngineer, are you an international student or local student? Did you have a job before you got your scholarship? I recently turned 3x (not young any more). I quit my well-paid job for my master's so that I could focus on my master's studies and prepare well for my future PhD studies. (My family still blames me for doing this silly thing). Now I have the feeling that I will return to the same place and start my life and career over again! I am not very sure if I should apply next year again.

Anyway, thanks both for your encouragement. I feel a bit better after typing this message. Thanks a lot!

Ignore me if you prefer not to say, but can I ask what subject area this is? The requirements sound very tough -- I don't know anyone who already had publications before starting their PhD (and several who didn't have any by the end, for that matter)! Have you been getting interviews, or just rejections at the initial application stage? I'm wondering if you can ask for honest feedback from any of the interviewers about what went wrong?

However, I wouldn't despair yet if you still have five applications you're waiting to hear back about, you only need one to say yes, after all!

I am in the field of linguistics. I got rejected at the initial application. I am sure the department I applied to suits my research topic because it specialises in it. I dont really know what went wrong with my application? Am I not a strong applicant in their eyes based on my results, research experience and publications?

You are right, Ephiny. I still have five "hopes".

What about you? Are u doing a phd now? what field are u in?

Yes, mine is science-based, which I guess is a very different area from linguistics, and the application process probably works differently (maybe it's even more competitive). I would expect research experience and publications to count for a lot in any field though, as surely they prove you're capable of doing what's required for a PhD. Good luck with your remaining applications!

I can't think what could possibly make you a stronger applicant. My field is a little more related (psychology) and was very competitive too. But there are only so many boxes you can tick. Have you seen the references written about you? And are those existing projects you are applying for or are you are you submitting your own project/idea? If the latter then it may be that you would need to have identified potential supervisors who are interested in the project.

I havent seen the references because all reference letters must be sent to universities by referees in my place. My proposed project is also based on my own ideas, not professors' projects. I have contacted some potential superviors. All of them have read my proposal and asked me to submit applications with this proposal. But I dont know what went wrong with my applications.

Bad news again: one more application rejected. WHY? WHY? WHY?

I think I might ask to see the references if possible (we can do that in the UK). Other than that - I just don't know. But you can ask them for feedback right?