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PhD Reserve lists

T

Hi everyone

I applied to 8 PhDs in total. I was nominated by the supervisors for 4 but was only offered an interview for 1 project that I didn't apply for and another that I did. The interview for the project I actually applied for felt like it went very badly, it was my first interview but I was sure that I wouldn't get any offers. The 2nd interview felt absolutely perfect, couldn't have gone better.

However, I was rejected from the 2nd University and I am on the reserve list for the 1st University.
I don't know my exact position on the list due to an overlap in projects in the offer list and reserve list.
Overall they make 15 offers. Does anyone have any idea roughly how large a reserve list may be?

The university told me they expect about 40% of the initial offers to be rejected, so people on the reserve list shouldn't worry, but of course that depends on the length of the list.

Any ideas?

P

Quote From tr1992:
Hi everyone

I applied to 8 PhDs in total. I was nominated by the supervisors for 4 but was only offered an interview for 1 project that I didn't apply for and another that I did. The interview for the project I actually applied for felt like it went very badly, it was my first interview but I was sure that I wouldn't get any offers. The 2nd interview felt absolutely perfect, couldn't have gone better.

However, I was rejected from the 2nd University and I am on the reserve list for the 1st University.
I don't know my exact position on the list due to an overlap in projects in the offer list and reserve list.
Overall they make 15 offers. Does anyone have any idea roughly how large a reserve list may be?

The university told me they expect about 40% of the initial offers to be rejected, so people on the reserve list shouldn't worry, but of course that depends on the length of the list.

Any ideas?


I would imagine the length of the list will depend on the position, the supervisor and the university.

Unfortunately getting a PhD can be as difficult as securing employment.
You have no choice really but to keep looking, keep applying and wait until a firm offer arrives. I would certainly advise you not to rely on the reserve list emptying and I wold never trust anyone telling me that it would be fine until I got a firm offer.

T

I was on a reserve list for one uni and it was so bugging me not knowing when I'd know or how many of us there were etc. I called the uni and asked, and they told me I was first on their reserve list so if one of those who had an offer declined it I would be offered it. If it is driving you mad, ring and ask. They may tell you. Otherwise, it is a waiting game. Best to have a Plan B in place rather than counting on it in any way.

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