I got told when I was applying for my PhD to think of the project proposal as a job advert and then write a motivational statement as if I was applying for it. So would say the skills and experiences I have that would make me a suitable candidate to complete the PhD proposal.

Nope you should quite now!!.... seriously though best bit of advice I ever got given was in my undergrad. I had loads of work to do, and was asking my friend if I could do it, or how much time he thought I could do this one section in. He just said "stop talking about it and do it". so its the same for everything people can tell you can catch up or even you are not that far behind as no-one gets that much done first few months. Ultimately though makes no difference, its just up to you, only you know how much you've got to do and if you get down to it, you will get it done

To be honest if I was you I would not be worried at all. I know plenty of people six months who are still not quite sure what their aims and objectives are. Im four months in and still reading!! you sound like you have made loads of progress if you have already done your field work. You should just relax and just do what you have to do one step at a time, worst thing in the world is to look at big picture, as you would then become overwhelmed with everything you have to do

I did not have any publications and got a scholarship, think most of my fellow PhD students don't have any yet either and still got a scholarship aswell.

If you know who your potential supervisor will be. I would contact him and discuss this with him. I did this with my potential supervisor and he would look at my work make recommendations so in the end had a really good proposal. Now Ive started its changed loads, but guess that's a different story!

The other main thing is the interview. You really have to demonstrate your enthusiasm for PhD and your particular research project. Have clear idea of why you want to do a PhD and how you would overcome any problems that may arise.

Also I did not do it but I know other people who have received scholarships met their supervisor at a conference or some informal setting before hand. Like everything else if they know and like you more likely to look on you more positively.

Im not sure I agree about not giving everything away. As my supervisor said to me when I first approached him. He gets hundreds of proposals every year but mine showed enough originality to get his attention and so he contacted me directly, and I then got a scholarship and am working with him on PhD now. I think makes sense to want to guard your idea, but if you want to do a PhD and get scholarship, think you would have to trust people you approach not to steal you idea. As they are not mind readers so if your dilute your idea they will prob think that's the best you can do, and so why would they give you a positive response

In my university 2 years is the earliest someone can submit a PhD. One person did this and everyone was talking about them as it is so uncommon. I don't know if every university is different though, usually it says in course handbook what all the rules are.

Sounds like you have a really good chance. Although it can be like a beauty contest, does not matter how pretty you are, if there is someone even better looking you wont win! All you can do is put in the best application you can and hope for the best. I think you will have a very good chance though, sounds like you have achieved more than a lot of people I know who have got a scholarship

im just going from my experience for the new lecturers that I have met in my university, one of the top in the UK. They told me they did not have hardly any teaching experience but they did have a good solid publication record from their PhD. They also said most important thing is to network. As its like everything else if you have met the people in a conference etc they will more likely give you an interview and get the job. I overheard the other day senior people in my department talking about who to hire, and they were saying who would they most like to go to the pub with!! so think it often pure luck if get a job like in any industry

I think though everyone knows its almost impossible to get a job in academia. On my first day they threw a ball into all the new PhD people, and the one person caught it, they said that's how many of you will become a professor if your lucky. I think no-one has any illusions from my peer group we all know we are unlikely to make it, but guess everyone hopes they are different. Think we all see a PhD as a not a very well paid job but an interesting experience. Think anyone who gets a PhD then complains how difficult it is to get a job must have done no research into the job market. Even if you have loads of teaching experience still highly unlikely to get a job as there will always be someone else with more.

From my understanding from speaking to many academics in social science field, they have all said teaching experience is not really necessary. All that is important is publications. As although universities are supposed to be for students to learn. Really now they are based on making money so important thing is to be able to demonstrate that you can publish in high quality journals and ultimately bring in the money. It is generally assumed if you can do these you will be able to teach. I have never heard of anyone being employed "because they are a good teacher" "or having good teaching experience" its just about them "being a leader in the field" or good "publication record" I think would be nice if they considered teaching as important but in real world all that matters is money! That is why in the UK we are taught to do the best research possible and publish as much as possible in the best journals and the rest will take care of itself.

im the same hate public speaking so cant really help with any techniques as get so nervous. Only thing I can do. Is have everything I am going to say written down. So I just read of it, and try to make sure I look up and make eye contact as much as possible. I also make sure I write on card not paper, that way if I get nervous it does not shake so bad!! I also think a good way is if possible before speaking if you can speak to the people informally, so if there is coffee before hand. That way its more like speaking to people you know. Although with me still get really nervous. Even though it is true the only thing to fear is fear itself

I think you miss understand the importance of skim reading. You dont just skim looking for quotes, you skim to find the bits that are interesting. Then you read carefully the the bit before and after this to really understand the issue. That way you get a good understanding but do not waste loads of your time reading things that have no relevance to your PhD!

how many hours do you work a day? generally everyone agrees that you should try to treat it as a job so work 9-5. I would say if you are working 8 hours a day either you are reading very big journals or are an extremely slow reader. I would suggest also you look at your reading technique. As when reading for academia you don't have to read like you are reading a book for enjoyment. By which I mean you can skim read were you look for bits that could be relevant and use them as quotes etc. Sometimes I will read words of every other line, and if something interesting catches my eye, I will then read closely.

I think your friend really needs to look into what a literature review is. If you ask anyone they would say there is nothing on their precise topic and that is the whole point of doing research to fill the gap. If there was loads of his topic what would be the point in him doing research!! But to be honest I think your friend would struggle with a Phd if he does not understand such basic idea as a literature review. I don't want to be harsh but guess that is why the lecturers are not responding as they probably have doubts already about his abilities. I could be wrong but it is up to him to demonstrate his abilities by producing a good literature review, illustrating why is research is needed and relevant!