My response is from a science and engineering perspective. For humanities, this is different. But basic advice is don't panic.

I was told by to prepare for whatever I was expected to know. Basically, this included the thesis, the related literature, related science and also methodologies used during the experimental phase of my PhD.

I submitted just before Christmas and had a period of 2.5 months between submission and viva. I had a short break over Christmas and started again straight after, revising and reviewing the thesis itself and related periphery subjects up to viva day.

The above is not as onerous as it sounds, except in the days before viva as the related literature I already knew from write-up. As regards literature, it was a case of it staying fresh in my head and didn't take too much effort.

Methodologies I'd used during experimental work wasn't too bad, as it was just a matter of ensuring basic science stuck in my head (TEM, SEM, XRD, etc.). Deep theory was unlikely, so doing enough to discuss with relevance to the doctoral work was all I needed.

This left me clear to concentrate on periphery science, this being a little trickier as some aspects I'd not looked at since first degree and I thus had to dig into text books and literature proper here.

In retrospect, I don't know if I needed to krevise material for 2.5 months. However, come viva I was well prepared. In the end, my external examiner didn't go beyond the thesis itself. However, on another day she might have so better to be prepared as my supervisor suggested. He all but said to prepare for hell, however, in the end I came through the four hours with little trouble and just very minor corrections.

I did get a chance to proof my thesis for grammar and spelling ensuring errors in the hard bound thesis were at a minimum.

Ian

Being called stupid when you've barely got going is unacceptable and is possible cause for complaint once you've finished. Clearly the poor reference means you have nothing to lose by raising a complaint. The problem from what you say seems to be with her given her group's poor publication record.

It may be the old addage of the Uni. closing ranks to protect reputation kicks in if you complain, however, it would still places doubts about her privately amongst other members of staff and make things interesting when her tenure comes up for review in a few years.

However, the viva is still to come and I'd await the outcome before you take any further action. You've made up your own mind that you've failed even before you've faced the examiners. I also fail to see what advantage there is just submitting for MPhil rather than PhD as that would be an admission of failure on your part with less scope for manoevre. Go for PhD I would say - all the examiners can do is downgrade you.

The MPhil option is not used that often for a PhD viva and on balance, if there are problems then they'll opt for resubmission or revise and resubmit. The thesis has to be really flawed for a fail or lacking in originality for an MPhil award.

As others have said, you can still be a research assistant without a PhD (the Nature publication will help) and you could use this to head for a PhD via published works. Applying for a second PhD may be problematic if you've already failed (though less so with an MPhil), in the eyes of potential supervisors and funding bodies if funding for a project is not already in place. That said, you'll already know what a PhD entails and you'll be able to sell this knowhow in an application for a second PhD. You've been there and you'll have learn't from any mistakes, making failure in the future much less likely.

Ian

I'm going to take a harder line with this one, because as the PhD progresses it's only going to get harder.

You've a wife and fairly new born child and you entered the Phd with her already in a reluctant state. Her doubts have resurfaced only a very short time after you've started and your decision has been very much about you wanted, even after her putting her life on hold after your Masters.

You say yourself she felt lonely during your Masters and all she sees is more of the same. A Masters is one thing as it's only a year. A PhD can be three, four, five years even with revise and resubmit. Can you see her tolerating that?

I think after your Masters and knowing how she felt that perhaps putting the PhD idea on ice until the children were a little more grown up or she had a chance to move forward with her own life.

Some people manage okay with 9 to 5. However, you seem like me in that you need to put extra work in to make sense of and make the most of your work. Master was a year of high intensity for me, work and sleep, and despite an informal offer I could not immediately start a PhD. I started PhD after a few years in the real world - it started 9-5 but workload increased as time went on, I accumulated data and I started to write up based on that data. By the end, it was 12 to 16 hours a day.

I agree with awsoci. Sit down and talk honestly, ask what she wants. If this includes putting the PhD idea on ice for a few years, be prepared to do that for the sake of your wife and kids, at least until they are a little older.

I personally would not like to balance doing a PhD with having a young family. Some manage, but I'm no genius either.

Ian

A 2(I) plus Masters with Merit is more than good enough for a PhD application. I suggest giving your application a go.

Ian

With those grades I'd apply. M.Sc. with merit is a good start. I assume you have a decent degree to back that up?

People can still get onto a PhD with as little as a Bachelor's 2(i), though Masters and / or relevant works experience helps over and above this. The bare minimum is 2(ii) plus Masters (though it's harder than it used to be with these grades and relevant works experience to the intended field of study is a definite help) and I'm sure you're above that mark.

Once you get to interview, you have your chance to impress.

Ian

Imo,

I created a blog on doing a PhD ages ago (link following). Whilst some of it (especially funding and research councils) is based on UK experiences, it may be of some help to you.

Note I'm from a science Engineering background so can't advise on specifics, however, there is the suggestion you're thinking of part-time study. The hours you seem to be on suggest you could do this, though I don't know what your preparation workload is on top of this. Ensure you keep a good work / life balance as the PhD could add quite heavily to your workload even if you're doing the same material for work anyway.

Finally, best of luck in your studies!!!

Ian

Nothing really to add to the above except to say good post Badhaircut. I can relate to what you say exactly from experience and yes, the overqualified tag does not help in many cases in the real world.

That said, I will never regret doing my PhD as to not have done would have left me for ever more with the question "What if?" I enjoyed that period of doing novel research and despite seeing academic options dry up (and that bad second post-doc story I've surely bored people with by now) and having to battle to find a real world job once I left academia, I will always look favourably upon that period.

Ian

There's been a recent similar thread to this.

Take a read and note my comments on never regretting the PhD process despite job hunting problems I also had.

http://www.postgraduateforum.com/thread-36146/

Be proud of what you have done.

Ian

I was a returnee from industry when I did my PhD. If you've concerns then I'll assure you that coming back into study shouldn't be a problem.

Have you a specific question?

Ian

By another PhD, you do mean a second one?

It's a brave choice to put yourself through the stress for a second time of asking if I have read your post correctly, however, as some of us have said in the past be sure you're not denying the chance of a PhD to someone making their first attempt at one by doing so.

If you've secured sponsorship from your ORG, however, then fair enough.

Ian

There's an element of what dreams your parents have for you and many parents live their dreams through their children. When those dreams aren't realised, they behave as though their own dreams and aspirations are shattered. She'll come round eventually, however, it may take a while and expect your PhD withdrawal to be raised every time there's an argument in the future about your life (and at the end of the day, it is is your life).

Good luck with the future and the nursing. At a guess, it'll be next year you'll start so you've nearly a year for things to settle and hopefully you'll be able to start with a clean slate and the support of your parents.

You've seemingly spent the last few years living the life other's wanted for you. Now start living the life you want for yourself.

Ian

I agree with this sentiment. If you have doubts about your subject area, you need to consider whether or not you continue to follow your current path or take this new qualification.

As the PhD progresses and especially approaching the later stages, you will find it becomes all the more time consuming. You most certainly won't have time to pursue a part-time PGCert or BA alongside your PhD as you hit write-up unless you're some sort of genius. You would be endangering the PhD and the quality of the work and thesis. Also, you could endanger your health doing two courses - there's been people on here whose health has suffered due in part or in whole to the PhD on it's own.

I had been doing a part-time German course prior to the PhD (only a couple of hours a week), which I had to drop a year into the PhD as the PhD expanded to fill in my available time.

Ian

As frustrating as it will be, I'd make use of the extension and his feedback to get the thesis as near to right as possible. If he asks for another extension, you make use of it. And again, and again, and again. His feedback may be the difference between major and minor revisions after the viva, so the odd week now may save you six months or a year after.

You comment "if you read the rest, it makes sense". This was an issue with my supervisor during write-up and is an argument he won. The section or paragraph should make sense on initial read (possibly based on what you've already said) without the reader having to go forward or back several pages to understand. This allows the reader a smooth read without interruption and having to jump around in the document, meaning they are more likely to continue reading and take in what you're saying.

If he is finally doing his bit and reading your thesis (even though he's not been supportive as you wish to date), you take full advantage of this and do not submit until he gives the green light. You then have two sets of opinions on your thesis and will be in a better position come viva day.

Ian

I've had a bit time to think about the above. I'm sorry, but we made a life choice when we all signed up for a PhD. We all have our personal reasons for doing a one and mine was I wanted to do some original research that contributed something new to my field.

I'd always wanted to do one despite the words of those that questioned my decision. The fact is that if I hadn't done one given I felt driven to take the PhD path, is I'd constantly been asking "What if?"

Yes, the PhD and the length of time spent in the Uni. environment (including 2 post-docs) did cause problems with my CV / resume after I finished. Yes, I had a poor 2nd post-doc experience at another Uni. (hence my understanding of those who had a harsher time than me at PhD) However, I found the experience a rewarding and positive one, and I do not regret for one minute having done one. I'm proud of what I've done as should other posters who've expressed doubts after that fact.

So if we have to explain to an interviewer why we won't find that job boring or that we won't clear off as soon as something better comes along (we see that job as a logical career step), so be it. Perhaps we need to find a better way of selling the skills gained during PhD and outside it. A PhD is in itself a major project, that teaches us data and time management skills that can be used in the real world.

Don't allow yourself to feel it was some sort of crime to have done something that is a real achievement in life.

Rant over.

Ian

I am not US-based either. However, in the UK relevant works experience in Science and Engineering does help with a PhD application.

For example, if you left Uni. with a 2(ii) grade then say three to five years works experience might make you the equivalent of a 2(i) for the purposes of the application.

The best thing you can do is ask the Uni. running the PhD programme.

Ian