UCL MRC DTP Interview

Original post by kapina

I just got invited to an interview for the UCL-Birkbeck MRC DTP programme and I was wondering if anyone can give me any advice as to how to prepare for it? Also, I have one problem - I have applied for a specific theme within the programme but I can only get a list of potential supervisors if I contact one of the programme leaders which I haven't done until now. Do you think that it would make me look bad to ask for them now? Or should I just leave it and just read on the research of the theme leaders?

Mate I just contacted them for a list just now lol. I feel bad but oh well.

Reply 2

OP

Original post by 06moca1

Mate I just contacted them for a list just now lol. I feel bad but oh well.

Ah, fair, I guess we won't be the only ones. Which theme did you apply for?

Reply 3

Original post by kapina

Ah, fair, I guess we won't be the only ones. Which theme did you apply for?

mech of diseases. Im a structural biologist =p

Reply 4

Original post by kapina

Ah, fair, I guess we won't be the only ones. Which theme did you apply for?

Have you had any other PhD interviews?

Reply 5

OP

Original post by 06moca1

mech of diseases. Im a structural biologist =p

Literally the same theme. I hope it goes okay! I did, I had one two at Cambridge, one for their BBSRC and one for their MRC DTP programme. They were okay I think, so if that one is similar to those, I think the interview should be quite straightforward. What about you?

Reply 6

Original post by kapina

Literally the same theme. I hope it goes okay! I did, I had one two at Cambridge, one for their BBSRC and one for their MRC DTP programme. They were okay I think, so if that one is similar to those, I think the interview should be quite straightforward. What about you?

Rejected from the MRC Prion Unit post interview.
Did an interview for the ISMB Wellcome Trust Structural, computational and chemical biology PhD programme and waiting for results.

Reply 7

OP

Original post by 06moca1

Rejected from the MRC Prion Unit post interview.
Did an interview for the ISMB Wellcome Trust Structural, computational and chemical biology PhD programme and waiting for results.

Ah, I am sorry to hear that, I hope you get the Wellcome Trust one though, I've had a look at that one and it looks great! I had a look online and it looks like that they take ~22 candidates for the UCL MRC scheme which is pretty promising so hopefully it will all work out.

Reply 8

Original post by kapina

Ah, I am sorry to hear that, I hope you get the Wellcome Trust one though, I've had a look at that one and it looks great! I had a look online and it looks like that they take ~22 candidates for the UCL MRC scheme which is pretty promising so hopefully it will all work out.

Oh wow that's cool =).

These PhD interviews are pretty hard work.

Reply 9

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Original post by 06moca1

Oh wow that's cool =).

These PhD interviews are pretty hard work.

They really are! I wish they could just send us the offers already and not go through this exhausting process. But I wish you good luck and hopefully (if you pick that one over the Wellcome trust one :wink:

) I will see you next year.

Reply 10

Might I ask. Are you a undergraduate or masters student? If you are a masters student then where are you doing it?

Reply 11

OP

Original post by 06moca1

Might I ask. Are you a undergraduate or masters student? If you are a masters student then where are you doing it?

I am an undergraduate student, studying at St Andrews. What about you? Which programme is your top choice? I am pretty new at these postgraduate applications but I am hopeful that one would turn out okay. I am supposed to hear back from the Cambridge ones I think this week, so fingers crossed.

Reply 12

Original post by kapina

I am an undergraduate student, studying at St Andrews. What about you? Which programme is your top choice? I am pretty new at these postgraduate applications but I am hopeful that one would turn out okay. I am supposed to hear back from the Cambridge ones I think this week, so fingers crossed.

Nice. I did my undergraduate at Queen Mary and got a 1st in Biochemistry. I'm currently at UCL doing an MRes in Biosciences specialising in structural and molecular biology.

I hope you get a PhD offer. =)

Reply 13

OP

Original post by 06moca1

Nice. I did my undergraduate at Queen Mary and got a 1st in Biochemistry. I'm currently at UCL doing an MRes in Biosciences specialising in structural and molecular biology.

I hope you get a PhD offer. =)

Thanks! The best of luck with your applications too and hopefully you get the one you want (with such a solid background I doubt it you won't!).

Reply 14

green90

1

Congratulations guys! What theme did you apply for? I am still waiting so I presume it's a rejection. I had an interview last year with them and I'd recommend knowing your project inside and out :smile:

Reply 15

green90

1

When are the interview dates?

Reply 16

OP

Thanks! I applied for the fundamental mechanisms of disease theme! I think the interviews should be the 6th and 7th of February. Know your project? Do you remember any specific questions by any chance? I am really worried and I really want this one to go really well :/

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 17

green90

1

Good luck! Sorry, I should have been more clear. It's really important to know your BSc/MSc project inside and out. Ahh, if it's Mon/Tues then I definitely haven't been successful. When did you find out? I'll PM you :smile:

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 18

OP