Overview of JanineG

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Finishing my MSc and I am bricking it for the exam
J

I would like to go onto a PhD but I am unsure whether I should apply for it now as so far in the continuous assessment part of it I have got 53%. Now I have my exam to come which I am bricking :-(

I would either like to do addiction or try and do either malaria or cannabinoid receptor chemistry. If I get a pass MSc (I have a BSc with no honours :-( ) Do you think I would be able to get onto a PhD or are they looking for something more? I have tried to contact some supervisors and they don't usually give me an answer!

Help?

Starting a NEW PhD
J

Look to PM.

emphsizes on top tier journal only
J

I am not sure about the electronic field, but, I think that the supervisor needs to wake up, if they can't help you, how can they be able to say what kind of journal. If he an editor for a journal or what?

Your Application Story
J

I have had so many many rejections and people saying the place had already gone when I asked the supervisor.

I am trying to pick up from a disastrous 1st attempt at a MSc. I have the added mishap of not having a honours degree as my university stopped the honours year as I was trying to get through it. So I had a year out after my BSc, I had a LOT of hassle at my MSc and in the end I left with a PgCert.

My advice to you is do whatever your heart tells you and it will work out if you want it to.

Just passed my viva
J

Well done dude for passing 8-)(up)

Failed my Master's thesis thrice!
J

I am myself in this kinda position, after a complete mess up with my initial MSc, I am trying for it again with the Open University where I am tailoring the modules to my interests. I know I am good at somethings like research and not so hot on other things like exams.

So thankfully I am doing my MSc where I have no exams and it is continuous assessment which is ace for me. Is it the same sort of topic you are doing or the actual writing of the thesis?

emphsizes on top tier journal only
J

I was at a seminar on this very topic and it is better imho to get published in "lesser" down journals as it is quality over quantity and with a PhD, you may get results that will be perhaps out of the "norm".

What is your field of your PhD exactly? :-)

Who's doing the weirdest PhD?
J

I have a PhD proposal in the neuroimaging of reflexology! It's been submitted to Edinburgh. IThe Star Trek PhD rocks! I could do a PhD on Star Trek: Voyager lol :$

Bullied by post-doc in the lab
J

Been there got the t-shirt! I had to deal with it from a lecturer. I know about insecure egos in academia and when this happens it can cause a toxic environment in the department, or the lecturers in your department may themselves be toxic.

I have a feeling I know you so if I can confirm you on PM, I know exactly what is going on.

Online applications and references
J

Hiya gang

I applied ages ago to do a MRes/PhD in Neuroinformatics in Edinburgh and I have had some issues with getting the references through for applying to the course. Had anyone else had about a 2 month wait for references?

I have also applied to do a PhD at my local university and my qualifications are "non-standard" so I will have an issue there. I hope I won't have a long wait to hear back.

On the plus side, I have had an interview for a PhD in the past, so I know I am good enough to get onto a PhD, any hints or tips of explaining to supervisors about learning disabilities wrecking havoc on exam marks. Anyone else having this issue?

Office problems..I want to work at home!
J

I know how you feel on this, I am better off working at home as well, just come in and do the labwork and printing, get papers etc.

Works for me, plus you have a coffee/tea on top and in my old department, I had to take my drinks downstairs as you had to go through the lab to my office.

If I was a supervisor, I'd have words with that girl, if you work better at home, then do your typing at home. I had people in/out my office and speaking foreign languages as well, they seem to like shouting while they are at it! :-(

Good luck! (up)

Going to a conference without a poster/presentation etc
J

I have an meeting on Wednesday, I'm not presenting anything but you meet people there and you get talking to people.

I enjoying going to symposia as you get to network and keep up to date in your field - I haven't been to a conference yet! :-(

'bad reputation' in academia
J

I've had to report a member of staff on sexual misconduct.

I am dead in the water now :-( Although my reference is cool, I feel this situation has blown up any chance of getting onto a PhD, I have had an interview to get onto a PhD, since then - NOTHING. I am so paranoid now if I have a repuation for "being a trouble maker" in a nutshell this lecturer if he had his way, would have had me sleep with him.

Bearing in mind I have also a learning disability, this jerk got off scot free and I am left to pick up the pieces, so NEVER EVER think you are paranoid, the truth will come out in the end. (I hope I get an apology and a chance to be on a PhD) trying to do research with that in the background. I was lucky to get my PgCert viva done, I was an utter mess!

All I want is to do research...

I did it!!!! yipeeeeee (My Phd Viva story)
J

Well done Lara on getting the PhD...Now you can have a wee relaxation and let it sink in

Beginning the Application Process
J

Quote From orainn:

Thanks, it's good to finally have that cleared up. I've now emailed the prof with my CV and research interests so now it's just a case of waiting to see if he gets back to me. I'm hoping to apply to the Carnegie trust or EPSRC for funding....feeling a bit daunted by the long road ahead of me!



Thanks again for you help :)

Old school Uni huh? MAs in that fashion apply to Aberdeen, Glasgow, St Andrews and Edinburgh I think.

Good luck in your application (I am getting a kinda application to St Andrews and Liverpool - I've love to do an MPhil then convert)



P.S. Juc, An undergrad MA is just a normal first degree. Some of the Scottish unis call their honours degrees that, don't ask me why. It's equivalent to a BSc, not a 'proper' masters!