Overview of username on PostgraduateForum.com

Overview of username

Signup date: 27 Jan 2011 at 11:23pm

Last login: 16 May 2011 at 10:01pm

Post count: 10

Recent Posts

Self-funding

username 10 posts
13 years ago

======= Date Modified 16 May 2011 23:17:39 =======
Hello,

I've just been accepted onto a PhD program, however, I'm not too sure about the funding situation. Therefore, I was wondering if anyone has juggled a full-time job along with doing a part-time self funded PhD and, if so, how did you/are you getting on with it? Furthermore, how much time are you devoting to your PhD each week? I'm thinking that, if I get a 9 to 5 job and, if I manage to do 8 hours research on a Saturday, I'll be able to put in about 10 to 15 hours a week. Would this be enough?

Also, I was contemplating getting a job doing something not very stressful and easy on the brain so as I wouldn't be too mentally or physically burnt out after a days work and be able to put in some work on my PhD, which would possibly allow for me to get in about 20 hours a week.

Cheers.

PhD interview, HELP!!!

username 10 posts
13 years ago

Quote From Batfink27:

Before I had interviews for PhD positions, my old supervisor from my Masters degree told me that there are usually two types of PhD candidates who can be successful at interview. One is someone who is absolutely perfect for the position - their previous experience, knowledge and interests all match the research project so perfectly that it seems to have been written just for them. My supervisor said this candidate is extremely unusual, but if they turn up at an interview nobody else stands a chance, however well they do in the interview. The second type, he said, is much more common - someone whose experience, interest and knowledge can be adapted to suit the research project. These candidates, he said, can all be good in the PhD role, and it just comes down to who seems to be most adaptable and who seems to connect at the interview. I don't know if you'll find that as useful a thought as I did - for me, it took away the anxiety about not being the perfect candidate, and made me think about what it is that makes me adaptable and able to connect with the work being done by the supervisors. I was nervous before my interviews too, but I think if you can find a way to relax so that your adaptability and your ability to connect with the interviewers comes through then it will all be much easier.

I also found out all I could about the research interests of the interviewers - went away and read 3 or 4 of their most recent papers to get a feel for their approach - and that was really helpful. Both of the interviews I had (2 different universities, and I was offered both PhDs) focused on the work I'd done for my dissertation for my Masters, how that could relate to the advertised project (at one of the universities) and where I thought this could be further developed (at the other university), and more general discussion about approaches to research and the general issue that my subject area looks at.

Hope that helps!

Thanks a lot for the time taken to write that out, it's much appreciated and very helpful!!

PhD interview, HELP!!!

username 10 posts
13 years ago

Quote From blue:

Be motivated and enthusiastic. Search the forum for interview tips.

As you are shortlisted for the interview you have good chances. Usually few people are interviewed even if the applicants can be many.

Thanks for your reply.

The thing is, for my undergrad course I got a 2:2 (was 1% away from a 2:1) and I managed to scrape a B overall for my masters degree. Therefore, I'm a little worried that someone else with better grades might get offered the position instead of me. So, I was wondering, what I can do at the interview to show that I am the right person for the job.

PhD interview, HELP!!!

username 10 posts
13 years ago

Hello folks,

I have a PhD interview coming up, and, due to the field I'm in, I think that it will be very competitive. Therefore, I was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to stand out at a PhD interview, as I really have my heart set on this one, but I'm very nervous when it comes to being interviewed.

Also, does anyone have a rough idea about how many applicants a PhD in the Earth Sciences may receive?

Thanks,

Username.

My first and only interview!

username 10 posts
13 years ago

I already have a masters degree, and I too have a PhD interview coming up; which I'm dreading to be honest!
I just want to start the PhD without having to go through all this crap as I hate interviews.

I would imagine that during the presentation phase they may test your knowledge on the PhD topic. However, they will not be looking for you to know everything at this stage, as it would defeat the purpose of doing the PhD in the first place. Furthermore, the MRes will get you up to speed on current issues in the field that you're doing your PhD in; so it's definitely a good thing to do!