Im in the process of applying for funded PhDs in various forms of chemistry / pharmacy etc

I only have a 2:2 but I have a masters and attempted a PhD before (withdrew due to illness - depression caused by my supervisor) and I currently work in development for a drug company so know I could do the PhDs Im applying for.. (I was diagnosed as dyslexic during my masters after srtuggling with exams but getting high 70s and 80s for my coursework - got 78% for my masters research project)

Have just seen an ideal PhD which I would love to apply for BUT....

they want applicants with firsts only.. Ive got no chance.. Ive applied for one at the Institute of Cancer Research and Ive always wanted to work / study there but after filling int he application form and having to list not only my degree modules and grades but also my A levels and GCSEs (which were 11 and 13 years ago resepctively) Im a bit demoralised

Why cant prosepcetive supervisors look past grades??? Exams and memory arent everything :-s :-( (down)

Hi all, some of you might remember me, I gave up my PhD in July last year and have been working for over a year now..

Ive been threatened with redundancy recently and have been thinking about looking round for another PhD to start...

Is this a) wise and b) doable..

I had 18 months worth of EPSRC DTA funding on my last attempt and the PhD Ive seen is a 4 year (1yr MRes/ 3yr PhD) EPSRC funded program

I cant afford to self fund but am interested in considering attempting it again

reasons I left before: my supervisor sucked, to the extent that I end up on antidepressants and I wasnt enjoying the topic - though that could have been due to my supervisor..

Am I crazy?

Oh and if I did do it (starting next year) I would be 34 when I finish (assuming I finished in 3yrs) is that too late to get a job??

Thanks all

Sim, as a dyslexic I disagree with your TNR easy to read

I hate it, it makes my eyes swim and I struggle to read it - its the curly bits that make it worse


I am writing up in arial, and find that really easy to read

I feel like I am not enjoying the actual subject (synthetic medicinal organic chemistry) rather than the project (anticancer drugs) and if I could change to a different project here I would - no funding or suitable projects available. Ive looked at other unis in the area too and havent found one I like sound of. so job is next best thing, maybe Ill go back to a phd at a later date

Oh I have done nothing but tried to sort this out for the last 2 1/2 weeks. just got back after 2 months off injured, suspended during that time so am now due to finish phd dec 08.
Ive spoken to supervisor (who didnt really seem to care, said it was almost expected?!?), research admin leader (been really helpful, trying to find out things for me), head of research (who at first was trying to get me to carry on, now realises that I am really not happy)

Things with supervisor havent been great since I started, he is a very difficult man to get on with and hasnt really supported me from day 1 (he is a throw you in at the deep end and watch you flounder sort of super).

Not planning on staying in academia so that is def not a problem, industry here I come!!

Well yes sourapple I do, however I cant afford to just quit without having a job to go to, I have a mortgage to pay...

Also I dont really care at the moment whether I am a Miss (soon to be Mrs) or a Dr.

To be honest a few of my friends have struggled to find jobs with a PhD as they are over qualified, so that sense doesnt bother me one bit

The only reason I am sticking to MPhil is it shows I have done something for the last 2 years and keeps me in money whilst I find a job

I have started writing it up but if I can find a job that will take me as I am then I will go without the writing up.

Has anyone who was registered for MPhil / PhD transfer actually stuck to MPhil and didnt want to transfer (rather than failing the transfer).

At the moment this is what I am aiming to do as I am really unimpressed with my project, supervisor, lab work, prospects etc

I have spoken to someone here who was only registered for MPhil and have spoken to a load of people who have got PhDs also my friends here. but havent spoken to someone in a similar situation.

I realised as soon as I typed 2 that it wouldnt help with commute but we are due to move nearer (20 - 30 min commute on a much easier road) this summer assuming OH passes his probabtion in his job so that shouldnt be an issue


Actually I think the commute is the least of my worries and the actual project is the biggest

the department is quite vast and there is quite a bit of scope to change to something I would find more preferable I think

I apologise for the rambles now

I have spent most of the last two days contemplating what to do next

I am mid 2nd year, though have just come back yesterday from 10 weeks sick leave and suspended for those 10 weeks so am due to transfer december

However I am thinking I am doing the wrong thing, its not just one thing its a few - I hate commuting (an hour each way), I am beginning to hate my project, I am not getting on with my supervisor, I think I am depressed again (or still, was on antidepressants this time last year), I am thinking that organic chemistry isnt for me

I have spoken to my research administrator and the head of research today and we have gone over my options

1) see if I have enough results / data for a MPhil (or at least within a few months)

2) see if there is a different project available in the department

3)withdraw completely and get a job

help

My H2B and I bought a house together last year, we used an IFA who went to Northern Rock and they agreed to use my stipend as an income, We managed to get quite a good deal as well! Did help that H2B had a decent income himself.