Thanks for the information,
I'm already aware about courses and the fundings you can get from DAAD. I've actually already applied, but this would be my last choice.

Dunham, I totally agree with you, for real. Maybe I'll regret, but I really do feel like I want to do a master there. With my savings and some PG loans I would be able to cover a whole year abroad, this is one of the main reason I'm not considering a 2 years master in other countries: I wanna be independent.
After MRes I could be lucky enough to go straight to a funded PhD or, hopefully, I will find a job somewhere.

I used to think the same. BUT you there are too many variables involved:
1) I don't want to take a 2 years master. I'm already 26 years old, so I don't stay in university till my 30s (I would for a PhD, it's a full time job);
2) I speak english, french and german. But English is the only foreign language I'm fluent in. Ok, I could go to Germany (which, IMHO, has a better degrees) BUT I don't really want to struggle everyday with the language. At least not while I'm studying (and yes, I have already experienced that);
3) Your unis are well-considered all over the world. Even if it's not oxbridge.

Italian BSc gives you a solid background. For sure I'm not ready for a PhD, at least I don't feel like that (!), but I had the chance to compare with UK students at the end of their MChem and I feel my background is stronger. But that's just my opinion.

I applied for about 10 funded positions.0 interview, only encouraging messages and positive feedbacks.

I don't know what's wrong: my applications is good, my CV is good (I will graduate with 104/110, which is an upper second class), worked on my thesis for a year (doing research ALMOST by myself), good reference letters. But I'm not enough.

I have applied eveywhere: leeds, manchester, southampton, east anglia and Nottingham. Same results: unsuccessful.

Is it because I'm am a part-time student? because I haven't finished my exams yet (2 to go)? Cause I'm italian (don't think so, italians PhD students are appreciated abroad).

The only reason is cause I have only a BSc - which indeed is not english - and they may believe it's not enough.

Hey everyone,
I'm an italian student with a BSc in Chemistry. After some unsuccessful PhD applications (always: you are a good candidate, but bla bla bla, don't give up), I realized without a master I won't go anywhere further.

The problem is I don't want to get a Master here in Italy. Good unis ok, but it'd be two more years of only lectures, some labs and lot of books. I would prefer a more research degree, of course I'm willed to attend lectures and study, but I don't want it to be all about it. Here we don't have such Mres, that's why I'm deeply interested in it: 1 year, research activities and some lectures. It'd be awesome.

The only concern I have: A MRes will be enough to get a funded PhD position?

I'm a chemist and during my BSc I took 4 physical-chemistry exams and, in my opinion, it's nothing a physic would struggle with. It depends on what field you are talking about of course, but I personally believe that the only topic you could find a bit hard is the kinetic of reactions (but your project doesn't seem to be about it)! then, it's all about thermodynamics.

Best book : "physical chemistry" Atkins. Just in case you wanna read something about

No. You can always make up your mind. They don't care about being rude not answering to prospective applicants and staff like that, so go with the funded one and tell them you got a better offer. You have to make your own interest, not their...they don't even pay you

Now, it looks professional.

My english is far from perfection, but:
- I don't like "after having gone through your website", maybe "I visited your website and I am very....";

-"institution provides both the opportunities for research as well as the implementation of that research" -> maybe "as well as their implementation"?;

- "Today,having completed my Bachelors in Medical" : don't like having completed...

- "I aspire to get into the photonics field. Within this field, my interest lies primarily in the areas of photonic": too many "field" and "photonics". I'd rather say "into the field of photonics. In particular, my interest ...." or something like that;

- "physics and chemistry, was diversified into different fields, from electronics and the physics of semi-conductors components and
biomaterials, to optical fibers in biomedical imaging, laser technology and its applications in biomedicine, as well as simulation and modeling techniques of biomedical systems." :

different fields: .....
or "different fields, such as , , and . "

- "Added to this, I did an undergraduate project entitled Study of Fresenius Vial’s Double" : in addition... sounds better

- "As indicated earlier, my interest lies in the areas of photonic circuits and devices. I find this PhD position an..." : no need to repeat your interests. It's a new paragraph, so you can just say "I find ...." .


This is what I would suggest you to change, keep in mind I'm not a native speaker, so....

Well, kind of. There isn't a perfect way to write a personal statement tho!

I would try to use shorter periods (again you use too many commas) and try to divide it into paragraphs (not many, just 3 of 4): your experience, why you are applying and so on.
Your letter is already divided into those "topics", you just need to divide them, so it will look more organized and easier to read, but that's my opinion! :)

oh and try to stay in 2 pages

I can't tell that much about your english (I'm not a native speaker), but I would definitely suggest you to remove the initial part, where you talk about your childhood. It sounds good to me, BUT everyone agrees it is something to avoid, like citations.

Again, IMHO there are too many commas in the wrong "position" and I would correct the minuscule "i" since it is a personal pronoun

Hey guys,
I got asked to write a research statement for my phd application (it's not a proper statement, just a brief explanation on my final research project and about why I'm interested in this phd). It's about 600 words and I really need someone who can proofread it very quickly and give me a feedback.

Is there someone willing to help me? It would take 15 min! Pleaseeeeee


PS: it is about chemistry, but you don't need to be a chemist to understand it, i mean.... it's just about grammar

I can't know if you were good or bad, only you can judge urself. By the way I would write her, telling how you feel and asking for explanations.
Supervisors often don't remember we are still learning and, above all, how difficult is to speak fluently a language which isn't your native one. Oh, I'd not be very polite, considering she hasn't been a good supervisor AT LEAST I would say: If I have to give up with science, only because you think I was bad, you have to give up teaching, cause you are a mess.

Yeah, that's what I've alse read somewhere online (at least 4 weeks, up to 8).

A lab mate told me she's sent an email asking for an informal feedback, the supervisor replied the day after, telling her to formally apply and the very next day after submission, at least that's what she says, got a call for an interview (it's not the same uni, but I got scared! LOL)

many thanks for your answer ;)

Hey guys,
was wondering: usually, how much does it take to get an answer after formally submitting for a PhD position?