I think someone else said this earlier, but it's not the subject of the PhD that's important, it's the skills that you take out of it. If you're doing an astrophysics PhD that allows you to learn the skills necessary in a role in contendede matter (whatever they might be!!) you would be fine.
It's also important to realise that coming out with a good PhD in a related field is probably better than coming out with a mediocre PhD in the field of interest. If you think you'll enjoy the astrophysics Phd and come up with better standard work than in the other, it might be worth thinking about.
If I were you, have a chat with someone in the field, and see what they suggest...

Contrary to Johnh, I think 18 pt. is the standard minimum for powerpoint presentations, but I would err towards the 24 pt. to be on the safe side.

Content-wise, the best thing you could go for is a mixture of text and pictures (not necessarily on the same slide!) If it's all one or all the other, audience interest levels will begine to wane.

Short, snappy text, too - long sentences are a huge no-no.

Other than that, everyone else seems to have picked up the best points!

If you want to go out and enjoy yourself, then do. If you don't want to, then don't. The most important thing during a PhD is that you find time for yourself so that you don't go mad. How you work that time around the work you have to do is up to you - I know someone who worked 8am-8pm 7 days a week throughout the year, but took an entire month off each year just to get away from it all.

Yes, there will be times when you won't have the time to go out because you'll have a huge workload, but this won't be all the time.

Johnh: Conan the Barbarian is an incredible film! One of the first films I watched when trying to settle in here when I started my PhD. Classic.

Just watched The Blob last night (the '58 version with Steve McQueen). The guy on TV said before the movie that it was old so the effects weren't great - what an idiot! Even in this old version the blob was pretty scary!

Mine are fantastic too :)
Don't have much to do with one of them, but they're so approachable, and they're a great laugh, but they know exactly what they're doing and how to take a PhD student through. I get the impression that I'm being guided but by my own volition - if that makes any sense!

In my opinion, don't put a breakdown of all your marks in any application unless specifically asked for. However, if you've got some good marks in any modules or subjects which are relevant to your application, then it could be a good thing to put those in your CV, including a little info about what that module was about.

If you're on course for a distinction (or whatever the classification might be for your Masters) then it's also a good idea to put that in. Of course, don't write that if you're not!

Having said that, you do NOT want a CV that is vast for whatever job, academic or otherwise (PhDs included), you are applying for. 2 pages is a good standard, as many people looking at them will not want to trawl through wads.
If you really do have that much information to put on that you can't fit it in two pages, then you'll have to go higher, but that doesn't mean you can let go of any standards of brevity. Keep it short and succinct.

Indeed. I've just started my PhD at Liverpool after studying marine bio at Swansea, and doing a Masters at Bangor. Bangor is excellent for marine biological stuff, although very competitive - I think they only take about 3 new PhD students a year. Liverpool is also an excellent university in this field, striving for a 5* status in biological sciences.
But either way, it is certainly very important to go for projects that you think would be interesting and you would enjoy studying for 3 long, hard years! The place is very important too, but perhaps more in terms of how you think you will settle in. You don't want to go to a place you don't like and can't imagine living in for those 3 years. And you should probably aim for institutions with higher reputations, if for nothing other than the knowledge you'll be in good hands.

There is absolutely no problem with asking them to write letters of recommendation, and applying for a PhD with them at the same time. I'm sure they'd even recommend it.
If you're serious about doing a PhD, then it's advised to apply for many of them. Applying for several can only help - not only will you stand more of a chance, but your supervisors will know you are serious about it and it will give a bit more emphasis to your application with them.
Also, if they're writing refs at the same time as considering your application, at least you know you'll be at the forefront of their minds ;)
In short, applying for many PhDs is only a positive thing. Your supervisors will understand this, and will not in the least bit mind that you're applying to them as well.

Failing that - hold ctrl+shift, then press '=' towards the top of the keyboard (next to backspace). This will put you in superscript mode. Do it again to go back to normal, or just hold ctrl and press '=' to go into subscript mode :)

Hiya! I've been working in marine biology since my undergrad, and I've just started my PhD in a marine biological field. From what I understand, what you're taking out of your PhD are skills, not necessarily specialisation (although that of course is part of it all). So, if you wanted to change fields, that shouldn't be a problem.
I can't really help with moving over to Oz, but it might be nice to actually get in touch with some scientists over there who share similar interests, and speak to them about it. They can probably provide advice, as can international offices in their universities, as they would have seen it all before.

Hey :) It definitely does help. But don't expect any kind of guarantee at all. Before I got my Masters distinction, I didn't even get an interview for a PhD. Afterwards, I got two interviews (both of which offered me the PhD), but for some others I didn't get anything at all.
But don't let that discourage you - go for it, as it will help. Good luck! :)

It's a real "how long is a piece of string" question. One of my friends was interviewed, and it turned out she was the only one that was interviewed - they only interviewed her to make sure whe fit the bill. Other times, there'll be 5 or even more that are shortlisted.

Like premonition says, it depends on the interest in the topic, and the quality of the applicants.

Hi 404, thanks a lot for that reply, it does help 8) And not just for me, I hope it helps the others in this situation too. My situation is pretty unique since both potential supervisors often do work together!! Annoying one will not be good -_-

But your past experience has made me think about it... I know doing it would not be a nice thing to do, but I guess to get anywhere in life you really have to do what's best for you, and cover all of your bases.

Tell me about it! Well, it's pretty important for us two, anyway...