I got to know this just half an hour ago. As I've expected, maybe they do think my undergrad is irrelevant to sociology, so I was ejected...... I'm not eligible for ESRC/AHRC, so funding is a headache for me. I can't afford to pay the tuition myself, so I'll have to give it up for this Sept. No miracle is likely to happen, I know I'm not that kind of bright person, nor am I lucky enough. They probably don't like my research topic, coz one EU student is doing somewhat the same thing, and he is funded by AHRC....Sigh.....

oh sourapple, i am very sorry to hear this! it is so bad to get these negative funding results. i usually want to crawl away and hide in my bed for at least a week. do you have someone to talk to? that usually helps for me, since it is kind of a complicated feeling - anger, dissappointment, sadness, insecurity and self-doubt, maybe a little relief too (no funding - no need to undertake the daunting project of doing a PhD...). also sometimes i need to cry on someone's shoulder.

is this the definite end? do you think you might try again next year? have you checked out all different funding options?

Well, as I said I'm not eligible for AHRC/ESRC, etc. I've been keeping trying but without any structural outcome. This year's entry is unlikely and I am just wondering if it is still worthwhile applying for the same thing next year, being rejected this year. What I have been worrying about came true--indeed, they actually don't favour un-sociology/anthropology related undergrad. There were 130 candidates for the competition which can only fund 4 people. Well, this is not unexpected anyway, as I have some kind of ominous feeling.....