MPhil/DPhil applicants of Oxford ODID

Original post by Daisy2021

I still have the upload button too. Couldn't help to check email every 3am. Didn't sleep well since last week.

I feel like this past week I've been SO impatient. The first thing I do when I wake up is literally check TSR and Gradcafé + My Portal. If I accidentally wake up for a brief minute in the middle of the night I'll even check my e-mail and as Friday approaches it gets harder and harder!! I swear if we don't hear on Friday I might have to hide under a rock for the rest of the week and do anything to distract myself.

University of Oxford

Oxford

Reply 21

Original post by bratpid123

It makes two of us!

Reply 22

Jonsmithpoole

Yeah same I’m so nervous. I also have that routine of checking tsr, gradcafe and my portal at any given opportunity. What are peoples academic background/research interests if they don’t mind sharing?

Reply 23

Original post by Jonsmithpoole

Can completely relate...feel very nervous about it, not sure one of my writing samples was the best as I specifically wrote it for the application. Several years in financial services, RG undergrad 67% with honours. Research interest, South Asia looking at how to preserve culture whilst developing - making the case of how this could improve innovation within a specific sector. Interested to hear others :smile:

Reply 24

Original post by RStudent1

Did you contact potential supervisor before you made the official application? Did you get his/her reply?

Reply 25

Original post by Daisy2021

Did you contact potential supervisor before you made the official application? Did you get his/her reply?

No I was quite busy with work + wfh adjustments etc. I spoke a lot with my dissertation supervisor from UG and previous professors who advised me. At the time I was figuring out the specifics of my research interest and did not want the integrity of that to be lost by simply wanting to get on the course (the only one I applied to). I do think research alignment is important for postgrad (masters) but I think nobody else is going to stand up for your idea than you. We'll see if I am eating my words in a few days I guess... What about yourself?

Reply 26

MigrationStation

Did most have interviews as part of their application? I didn't but interviews aren't carried out for my course so wasn't expecting one.

Reply 27

I was so hesitant and thought it wouldn't be a good idea to reach out to any supervisors but I'm glad you guys got good feedback. Did you guys apply to other UK schools? In the end, I hope the MPhil program works out because I genuinely like the way it is structured and it feels like I'd get more academic freedom to explore my topic of interest.

Reply 28

I guess it's different. I applied DPhil, not MPhil.
It is okay for MPhil not to contact potential supervisors before the official application.

Reply 29

Jonsmithpoole

Original post by bratpid123

I feel the same, the 2 year course structure seems brilliant. Especially being able to study completely new disciplines I haven’t had the chance to encounter at undergrad !

Reply 30

Original post by Daisy2021

I contacted potential supervisors before I made official application. I first approached several potential supervisors in another department. And I got very good feedback from three professors in that department. They showed lots of interests into my research proposal, encouraged me to submit official application and told me to put their names on it. However, I got rejected by that department. This is how I learnt that the decision is depended on the admissions committee, not potential supervisor.

Worse thing is that I felt confident with that application last year and I didn't apply to other universities. As you know, it rejected me in this January. This ODID application is my only hope now.

From my friends who have done PhDs / applied - they're normally quick to reject so, they must be considering you, probably just a question of resources/funding at this level. Really rooting for you, I hope you get in! :wink:

Reply 31

MigrationStation

Original post by Daisy2021

I guess it's different. I applied DPhil, not MPhil.
It is okay for MPhil not to contact potential supervisors before the official application.

That makes sense! Just out of curiosity (if you're happy to share) what course did you do as an undergrad and for a master's? Wondering how related people's masters subjects are to their DPhil applications :smile:

Reply 32

Original post by bratpid123

Same, just to clarify I reached out to professors from my UG not for the MPhil at Ox'. Same, I already did a 10,000 word dissertation at UG - didn't really want to do the same at postgrad masters level. Thought the 2 years was great to help produce research at a high level.

Reply 33

Jonsmithpoole

Do you guys think we will actually get a response this week? I guess they did say 8-10 weeks, so technically we could hear back in two weeks.... I really hope it’s this week though

Reply 34

Original post by RStudent1

Same!! I really wanted to hit two birds with one stone and challenge myself for that level of research PLUS there's a field study component that makes it very unique compared to other development programs. I went to college in the US and I feel like there isn't much emphasis on research and it's more taught (ofc) and I noticed this when I realized I basically had my whole application for Ox finished but had to write one writing sample from scratch. I just feel like for myself my next step is getting more comfortable and challenging myself with that level of research.

Reply 35

Original post by RStudent1

what do you mean by "they're normally quick to reject so"?

Reply 36

Original post by MigrationStation

mine is not very related

Reply 37

Original post by Jonsmithpoole

Do you guys think we will actually get a response this week? I guess they did say 8-10 weeks, so technically we could hear back in two weeks.... I really hope it’s this week though

I feel like in the past people were def receiving offers by Friday. However, you are totally right. It is possible that we may not hear by Friday. If so, then I would assume that we would get an update by the end of March. From what I recall, they kinda pushed back the January deadline by a bit due to the pandemic so I'm hoping that it won't delay them in sending their responses. I always hesitated to reach out to the department to see when we would expect results but never actually followed through bc I didn't know if there that many ppl in the thread applying to the same course.

(edited 3 years ago)

Reply 38