Hello. Have been a lurker for a few weeks now, while awaiting the result of my application to start a phd. Having read many other threads I hope you'll forgive me for taking the opportunity to celebrate this moment.

I'm sitting at home holding the letter in my hand that confirms the offer of a PHD :-)

As many of you will no doubt tell me, you might remember what an exciting / terrifying / delightful moment this is. I am sharing all those emotions.

My story up to this point is amusing, and filled with luck. I finished a Masters degree last summer, and promptly got knocked flat out by the recession. I'm an architect, and suddenly the job market has dried up. Friends are being laid off, and most people with a job are terrified of losing them.

Seven months have passed, during which time I spent more and more time reading, thinking and chasing up old friends and tutors about possible work. The phd idea has been around for a few years, notably when I considered moving to the States or Canada and continuing studies there. I always assumed I would work as an architect for a few years first, perhaps to let research ideas settle and mature a bit, even though I have never truly enjoyed the 8-6 lifestyle or macho working environment of most practices. Some of my worst days at work (I've done a year or two or professional practice as part of my training) have been caused by the realisation that I am somewhat troubled by the commercial motivation of most architects... I'm just not motivated by money! So this rather sudden credit crunch though has given me a lot of thinking time, and the opportunity to think of a phd has a kind of self-employment, a job designed by me that allows me to do what I enjoy - reading, writing, meeting people and creating opportunities for debate and discussion.

I probably can't go into details, but suffice it to say I am doubly excited because I was invited to submit for an intra-faculty phd by my supervisor who taught me in first year of undergrad many moons ago. My first submission was accepted, but the university was funding it through the other faculty and assigned me to different (unknown) supervisors at another campus. I turned it down, somewhat downhearted. But, much to my amusement now, my supervisor was invited to apply for a new job at another university. My studentship was discussed and is effectively part of her new position, meaning I have adapted my phd to ensure it is relevant to the new institution and her role there.

So I've now been offered a PHD by 100% of the universities in this particular city 8-)

So, thanks for listening to me as I witter on... but I'm excited and this letter came after a particularly strong cup of coffee. I start at the end of March, and already have an conference deadline to work towards. This forum has been very useful in preparing me for studies, and I hope very much to contribute!

Thanks all (up)

Congratulations James! Sounds a lot like my experience when I got my offer and ran into the nearest cafe (happened to be a Starbucks, in December when they have those gingerbread lattes) to hyperventilate before finding a phone box to tell everyone. Every winter when they get those lattes in it reminds me how excited I was then!

Hope that you keep popping in here to let us all know how you're getting on. I'm sure you will be great - sounds like you are very much in demand :-)

Congratulations! :)

Congrats 8-)

In demand? No, the same supervisor just at two different universities :D

Thanks for the kind words. Now for the hard bit...

congratulations! :) could you tell me if it was an unconditional offer u got?? i've got a conditional offer for an Mphil and am still terribly worried about doing my exams well O_o

This is unconditional, since I've already completed my Masters. Although I understand your nervousness completely since every other course I've applied to has been on conditional entry. Just remember that they wouldn't make you the offer if they didn't think you were capable of it... just don't cut corners before then!