Roro - I am marketing as well. Originally started with brand perceptions within sports market but have changed tack slightly as moved Universities and have new supervisors. Writing my first article for journal just now with my supervisor.

NAP6W

Slomo - sounds tough!! I am older with 20 years commercial experience so it tends to be a bit different. I have seen younger teaching fellows just crack down on it. If I have talking in my class I just stop and address the students talking and say to them that we can't hear what their classmate is saying and stay quiet till they stop talking and this usually works. I know people who just ignore it as they don't want the hassle.

Don't fret - I am going from an undergrad straight to PhD. I didn't even do a dissertation, only a market research proposal at 7000 words. You will be surprised when you compartmentalise the work and write 2000 on topic A and 2500 on topic B. It is just like doing a couple of essays one after the other. You have the ability - you showed that by getting your undergrad!!!

The Departed with Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio was pretty cool. Pretty hardcore violence but good.

Other than the superstars, everyones grades are roughly the same. What supervisors want to see in their potential students is the drive and commitment to complete. If they are worth their salt as a supervisor they will identify that and be able to draw the rest out of you. Dont worry. My reference really helped as my head of course stated that I had just that - commitment and staying power. That way the supervisor is not embarassed when you quit!!!

The reason I am doing mine is that I have had a career in the commercial world and want to enter academia. The only way I can get my ideal job lecturing is to complete a PhD. That goal in itself is enough to spur me onwards!!

I had the choice of funded place at not my first choice uni doing not my chosen field or place unfunded at THE best uni in the country doing my own choice which is my interest and hobby!! No choice really - will figure the cash bit out later but every piece of advice I read says dont just chase the cash.....a PhD is hard enough as it is without doing something you have little interest in.

The application normally has to be reviewed by the department concerned and they often do this at weekly meetings. They have to then appoint a possible supervisor and second supervisor, and academics being academics, they may take a while to do this. Often if you have had contact with your potential supervisor, then ask for some feedback. I was verbally told before I applied and that made the process a lot less nerve jangling!! Worth the wait though - and remeber you are the client so be persistant!!

Not strictly - I will be teaching within department and hopefully getting some help with fees. Cannot apply to ESRC till next year.

I went to a postgrad fair where the girl just totally sold me on the place I wanted to go, she then invited me over and set up a meeting with my potential supervisor. I had my proposal and my cv and an hour later a verbal offer. Yesterday my written offer arrived for Sept 09!! So yes approach where and who you want and sell yourself. Good luck!!

I am an undergrad so had no experience of anything like that. I had however been in business 18 years and knew how to articulate my idea. Try to find someone at your institution that has recent experience of a PhD and bride/beg/force them into helping you. Make it known that if it is crap you will tell everyone they helped!! This way the competitive edge comes out and they come good. Also I spoke to my potential supervisor before the submission and he gave me guidence in what he expected.

I am at undergrad level just now with 18 months till I graduate and got my acceptance letter yesterday confirming my PhD for Sept 09 start!! Yes I know - bit quick off the blocks but hey, in this game there is no such thing as too soon.