Scottie, Doodles and KB, thanks a great deal. These really help a lot!! :-)

Dear KB, Thanks. It all makes perfect sense to me :D:D:D:D... Congratulations on your great work and wishing you a success in your thesis submission and viva.
Roo

Dear KB,

Thanks so much for your reply and inspiration. So the moral of the lesson is to work very hard in the first couple of years. I also heard that choosing a strict supervisor would help. I am going to be an international student in the UK, so there is no way I can tell how strict a supervisor is. However, judging from the way a prospective supervisor 'interrogated' me and tested my motivation even before I sent in my formal application, I think she's THE one lol.... She mentioned about how only 1 in 5 Phd candidates managed to make it and not many did it within 3 years. And how she wanted to set ground rules for students etc.

Also, I would like your input -- which is more important: going for a Phd in an Uni with lower ranking (world top 500) but with publications or one with good ranking (world top 100) but no publications?

Much appreciation,
Roo

I have got two offers to study for a Phd degree. I really hope I can finish it in 3 years. Recently, I have discussed about the prospect of doing a Phd in another Uni and I was told that I am expected to make publications and attending conferences. While it is a good idea to publish and attend conferences, do you think they will delay the completion of my thesis? Do all Phd degrees expect candidates to publish?

I have got two offers to study for a Phd degree. I really hope I can finish it in 3 years. Recently, I have discussed about the prospect of doing a Phd in another Uni and I was told that I am expected to make publications and attending conferences. While it is a good idea to publish and attend conferences, do you think they will delay the completion of my thesis? Do all Phd degrees expect candidates to publish?