Is that updated now? I posted there yesterday and I could hear the wind howling and the my post echoed lol
The GU forum is a possibility too - Margot from last year has had her say
I do like it here though - it would be nice if everyone was together like last year - about 60 of us I think - maybe more!

Everything crossed for you! I don't know about anyone else but I find as the month progresses I suffer from repetitive stress A feeling of nausea and total arrrgghhhh ness (is that a word??) on hearing the letter box, a wave of relief to find no AHRC letter, followed by disappointment, calm for most of the day, then the anxiety grows again come the evening knowing that its all going to come to a head again in a few hours.
Can someone tell me why we do this to ourselves?

That is interesting to know - thanks - so that's 990 nice fat letters on their way....

The lack of transparency is extremely frustrating - there is a need for some kind of feedback, which I'm sure would not be difficult, the panel readers must make some kind of notes as to their feelings on a particular application for the purposes of consideration?

Error, its always gutting and its really hard to smile and congratulate when you've just been kicked in the face I know its no consolation, but if she knows you've been rejected she'll feel awful telling you - I had the same last year, I just didn't want to say, I was almost embarrassed as a friend who continually got high marks, many a point or two higher than myself was rejected (also hate that word)
The grade thing is just so odd - it doesn't reflect you though, it reflects more their view on what they want researching. You tick every single box, you just have a different interest to them - I think this also reflects the problems this year with the cut in funding

He he, tuition feeds - what is closer to a student's heart??

Yep error, this is NOTHING to do with your academic ability - simply that the competition is crazy, there are less awards available this year, and also that so much rests on whether the panel considers your topic to be 'sexy' or not this year! All of us who get to this stage are of equal academic ability - we've all got much the same results, its just incredibly unfair

I am the queen of pessimism, sometimes better not to hope and be disappointed - my tutor has a go at me continually for it

I know exactly what you mean, I think it became a full on dream of mine at the end of the first year UG when I realised that there was the potential for funding - we could never self fund (3 children, house, low income hubby etc) but then its been a driving force for me ever since.
I'm currently pondering - as the scholarship I've been awarded if the AHRC doesn't come off will pay my fees, burning the midnight oil for a year and working p/t at the uni in some way to make some cash and then hoping to get a GTA position in the second year.
Don't worry about the reserve list - often those on it get their fees paid. I know last year, as I got AHRC for the MA my was immediately transferred to a Phd girl that had just been rejected so that she could continue. Its the same with the scholarship I've been offered, if I get AHRC then that will be given to another student on the list so stay hopeful - even if this doesn't happen then the chances are that you may still get uni help

To be honest I don't know what I'll do - serious case of head in the sand here! Last year (MA) I had a job lined up teaching that was plan B - I was sooooo delighted to turn them down - this year - ermmm - no idea! I think I'd have to work - but I wouldn't want to go part time - I'm a mature student as it is and I worry that if I go p/t then I'll be almost ready to retire by the time I finish!! (well, not quite, but it feels that way). I just don't know its stresses me out too much to consider it. Very bad attitude I know, but my thinking is that I'm tied up until Sept with the MA as it is - time to make plans then

And I really don't think it matters in the slightest the uni, the stage etc etc - we're all going through it together

Oh Error - really sorry to hear that You never know, you might be lucky in the other application - I really hope so! I wouldn't be able to continue without funding - I think that's what makes it worse I've been lucky enough to be awarded a scholarship if this doesn't come through, but its at a 3rd of the money and we couldn't survive really - ho hum, will have to wait and see - just feel for you badly

He he, did someone mention the graduate forum??? I'm on there too - not good enough obviously

Well that's positive news - 50/50 chance based on previous years.. I really hope that its good news for you this year. I was delighted to see that last year there was a 67% success rate in my panel for people in my situation - my fingers are so tightly crossed I'm having issues typing the draft for my dissertation

Its such a lottery - so much seems to depend on whether your chosen topic is favoured... I'm lucky in some respects that my supervisor (also my MA supervisor) is the world expert in my subject area and we are also the site of the UK Data Archive - its just whether they decide to go for it or not - this waiting is murder - big white envelope today - heart stopped - questionnaire from the local council - damn!!

I'm Panel 4 Phd in Late Modern History - which uni is everyone going to - I'm at Essex

I don't think that there is any rhyme or reason to it. Last year they seemed to be sent out in batches relating to the panels. Most panel 4s heard mid-late august - there were early rejections and awards and also very late ones. I think the last positive result I heard of was the first week in September.
I do think that very very early letters are normally outright rejections, normally due to the subject matter not falling within the required parameters - but that shouldn't happen this year. I'd imagine that the batches will be ordered by panel again this year, the thing is what is that order????
What panels are everybody in? It would help to know that and then as the letters filter through to see if there is that repeating pattern again.

so there is a positive side to the letterbox vigil.... a feeling of overwhelming relief at receiving utility bills!!!
I'm back to the feeling sick sensation again today - waiting for the postman. I know realisitically I won't hear for a few weeks yet, but knowing that letters have been sent somehow raises the nerves more... I have decided to be pragmatic this year and not allow it to get to me - I'm wondering who I'm kidding though...

I know how you feel too - I'm busy writing up my dissertation and I find it soooo hard. It's not flowing, I seem to be working all hours, and I have the added stress of my supervisor being on holiday in mid august so I have to have the entire draft completed by then as he won't be back until 2 weeks before submission date (15/9) I can't complain about him, he's wonderful, but I do feel under incredible pressure right now. Waiting for the decision of the AHRC for the Phd I'm planning to start in Oct doesn't help either
Yes its not long now, but that is terrifying in itself - 6K words down - 14K to go!! and then the inevitable rewrites!

I have a similar problem this year - I do have the 1:1 which I think may have helped last year - who knows - I know people who have been awarded with a 2:1, but this time I don't have the MA results yet - I don't submit the dissertation until mid Sept, so they will have to make their decision on a predicted grade and the essay results - some are good distinctions, a couple high merits, no I just don't know - I just have everything crossed

Error, you are so right! I guess this is just a foretaste of what is to come for those of us who go into academia as a career - one round of funding applications after another!
The AHRC decision is incredibly stressful though - last year I ended up in a complete mess - its the constant waiting and wondering and obsessive postman stalking - it does your head in totally. Every time a thin letter plops onto the door mat you want to die - its the one time in your life where you're thrilled to find its a bill!