Im in a different area to my "core" education.

You just need to prove you are accademically sound, willing to learn and are genuinely keen on the phd area.

Started on monday...environmental chemistry

During my undergrad I was sent a letter about doing jury duty. If you want to get out of it, get your supervisor to write a professional looking letter stating that it is impossible to take that time off and it would seriously disrupt your studies.

Worked for me.

J