Rejected without interview. Was told that my application is strong by two supervisors

Hi all. I received two 'yes, this is great. Would love to work with you' emails from potential supervisors who both asked me to add their names to my application. Then, I received a rejection after being on 'under review' for 10 weeks with no reason stated, except that my proposed supervisors saw my application thoroughly and felt that it wasn't a good fit. I had already shared by CV and proposal in the first emails to them too, so there wasn't really anything too new in my application that they did not know about (except the references). Was there some lapse? Is this common? Why would two supervisors say that I was a strong applicant and would encourage me to apply under their names, and then reject my application without even an interview?

Reply 1

StealingThunder

16

I think supervisors are liberal and encourage anyone who has a realistic shot to apply. Then when they get the applications they can only supervise a couple of students per cohort so they’re very picky.

I had two potential supervisors give me the go ahead and I’ve heard nothing from those courses. In my case it was two people in Chem, and I was applying for essentially the same project with both of them across two courses. The first course was chem phd and submitted the application for the 3rd Dec deadline, the second course was PhD sustainable energy materials, submitted 7th Jan deadline. Not heard anything or been invited to interview for those and planning to email re Chem next week as that will then have been a 12 week wait.

Reply 2

threeportdrift

Careers Forum Helper

20

Original post by Anonymous

Hi all. I received two 'yes, this is great. Would love to work with you' emails from potential supervisors who both asked me to add their names to my application. Then, I received a rejection after being on 'under review' for 10 weeks with no reason stated, except that my proposed supervisors saw my application thoroughly and felt that it wasn't a good fit. I had already shared by CV and proposal in the first emails to them too, so there wasn't really anything too new in my application that they did not know about (except the references). Was there some lapse? Is this common? Why would two supervisors say that I was a strong applicant and would encourage me to apply under their names, and then reject my application without even an interview?

As above, they are liberal and encourage anyone who sounds to have a realistic chance. But they don't know who else will apply, so when they say your application is strong, this still only puts it in the top half of the field. The details come in your application, and everyone else's application and at that point they have to filter maybe 15 or so good applicants down to 3? Sorry, tough world :frown:

Reply 3

Anonymous #1

OP

Original post by StealingThunder

I think supervisors are liberal and encourage anyone who has a realistic shot to apply. Then when they get the applications they can only supervise a couple of students per cohort so they’re very picky.
I had two potential supervisors give me the go ahead and I’ve heard nothing from those courses. In my case it was two people in Chem, and I was applying for essentially the same project with both of them across two courses. The first course was chem phd and submitted the application for the 3rd Dec deadline, the second course was PhD sustainable energy materials, submitted 7th Jan deadline. Not heard anything or been invited to interview for those and planning to email re Chem next week as that will then have been a 12 week wait.

Thank you. This makes a lot of sense. It's a far better explanation than the one that admissions sent 🥺

Reply 4

Anonymous #1

OP

Original post by threeportdrift

As above, they are liberal and encourage anyone who sounds to have a realistic chance. But they don't know who else will apply, so when they say your application is strong, this still only puts it in the top half of the field. The details come in your application, and everyone else's application and at that point they have to filter maybe 15 or so good applicants down to 3? Sorry, tough world :frown:

Thank you. This makes a lot of sense. I'll re-apply next year, but don't even know what to improve. Have written to the supervisor though 🥺

I am also realizing that if a supervisor has spent time with you to 'hone' your proposal/application, the chances of selection are higher.

Reply 5

threeportdrift

Careers Forum Helper

20

Original post by Anonymous

Thank you. This makes a lot of sense. I'll re-apply next year, but don't even know what to improve. Have written to the supervisor though 🥺
I am also realizing that if a supervisor has spent time with you to 'hone' your proposal/application, the chances of selection are higher.

Well don't approach it in terms of 'everything must change'. One of the major variables that went against you this year is one you can't control, the quality of other applications. And your's was strong enough to be considered, so don't risk losing that.

You might first look at it strategically, and consider if your subject or method is attractive/unique - could you pick a more interesting country, book, language whatever focus on, or could you use / consider a more interesting/unusual technique. or can you get an unusual data source or comparison?

There probably wasn't anything majorly wrong with your proposal structure, but just double-check that you've got all the key points. Don't sweat for days and weeks over references and the grammar of your proposal, they are never the make and break issues. In those areas you can send in any old junk, an intriguing topic or an innovative analysis, written with a credible plan are what counts.

Rejected without interview. Was told that my application is strong by two supervisors

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you