Mine arrived today also - unsuccessful. Threes all round for me.

Disappointed, but good to know now - at least can begin to make alternative plans, which basically just means carrying on part time.

Sorry to hear Mcneilis - keep your chin up!

- M.

======= Date Modified 06 Aug 2009 17:43:05 =======
Thanks for the encouragement!

It's not the *only* reason I'm not going - I can't really afford it at the moment. I'm also going through a bit of a purple patch in my research, so it's nice to be squirrelled away. Plus partner is coming over on Saturday - always a good incentive. Mind you, I just heard the weather forecast...

I was thinking of contacting the AHRC and enquiring about time-scales and if the possible postal strikes will be factored into things. But I have a feeling it would be a waste of time.

Ho hum. Haven't any of our colleagues in the natural sciences discovered time-travel yet? With all that funding, they flippin' well should have..!

- M.

PS Imposter I'd definitely explore that other opportunity - if there are options available, keep them open.

I don't think you'd be treated much differently for having an AHRC app. in - assuming its a broadly similar research project. Even if not you have nothing to lose for enquiring and even submitting an application.

- M.

Hi there,

Nothing here yet. Lets face it, it's going to be week after next... I know this is the likelihood, yet why am I checking the mail 3-4 times a morning?

I've even turned down an opportunity to go away this weekend because I'd miss Saturday and Monday's post. I need therapy. I am sooo OCD with this...

- M.

PS Even thought there are more Master's awards, I suspect most RO's will have submitted doctoral applications in the main. They are "high value" in a number of different ways.

1 in 4 sounds a reasonable guesstimate.

I don't think all RO's will submit - some might not even be eligible (I don't think it's an automatic right: the RO has to apply and be assessed for suitability and then allocated a number of applications).

There is a notable absence of internet chatter about things this year, for what it's worth!

I was incredibly nonchalant about the whole thing after all the anxiety attempting to put together as strong an application as possible back in March/ April/ May. It's really beginning to hit home now though.... I have to say my institution were very supportive: obviously it's in their interests to do well, as I believe the allocations for next years open competition will be based (in part) on the results of this year. I could be wrong though - I know the BGP are fixed for the next five years.

Anyhow, the bank just whacked a whole bunch of charges on my graduate account and credit card too which gives me something more immediate to worry about. Ah, the joys..

- M.

The odds are very difficult to estimate.

Some Arts and Humanities creative maths:

*CAUTION: BAD SCIENCE FOLLOWS*

Of four institutions I've just quickly checked, applications were capped at 5 - that's across all awards (Doctoral, Masters. Research prep. etc.) My own institution had 5, and also McNeilis' too.

I seem to remember counting 40 BGP institutions - this list is available from the AHRC site if you root around.

That leaves around 70 smaller RO's potentially eligible to submit applications (based on a total of ~ 110 Uni's in the UK).

So... lets say average is 5 applications per institution x 70 institutions = total of 350 potential applications.

Looking at the awards spread PDF, with a roughly 1:2 ratio of doctoral: research prep./ professional prep Masters, then we might expect that if institutions spread their submissions across awards as the AHRC wants to allocate, based on the above somewhat spurious figures:

Potentially:

117 doctoral applications for 50 awards, just over 2:1

HOWEVER:

Not all RO's will spread their awards applications equally. My own institution had 5 allocations, submitted 4, all doctoral.

So... could be as much 7:1 for doctoral awards.

Remember of course the subject area will affect the precise odds for you, but lets assume the AHRC has weighted fairly based on no previous app's/ awards.

My head hurts....

- Mookie

======= Date Modified 04 Aug 2009 15:43:18 =======
Apologies: double post.

Hey there....

Nothing here yet - just the "confirm address" email. It's painful isn't it?

I've managed to convince myself I have absolutely no chance, despite rated highly in our institution's internal scrutiny competition. Heck, I don't even have a Masters..

This is my first year applying (open competition). I've completed two years part-time (self-funded), and am desperate to go full time for two years. It's been tough.

Best wishes to all who are waiting.

- Mookie