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PhD The Early Process, Application and Interview advice

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Original post by gee7894
my subject is psychology


I'm doing humanities, but I sent a brief email saying that because of their research in____ I wanted to reach out to them on the possibility of working with them on my research in____. Then a couple sentences on my background and a link to my proposal draft on Google Docs. From there they let me know if it seemed like a potential fit.
Hey guys, looking for a bit of advice on a PhD interview I have this week.

So this is for a funded PhD in biological sciences research, somewhere in Scotland (I won't go into specifics). Its for a DTP funded by a charity, so the interview looks like its being conducted mainly by the charity. However when I applied I had to select a few projects from a list, which I did and I'll also be meeting the supervisors for each project, after my initial interview. So in a sense its a double-barrel interview.

I'm unsure what questions i'm likely to be asked in the first, main interview. I had an interview similar to this back in January. But that was different-a supervisor for one of the projects I applied for chose me, put me forward to the interview panel, who then chose me for the interview shortlist, and during the interview I was expected to discuss the project. In my current interview, I don't think i'm going to be expected to talk about the projects I applied for directly (I could apply for up to 4, ended up only applying for 2 of their projects but I haven't been informed if any of those supervisors have rejected me in any way).

Hope all that makes sense so far. If it does, what kind of questions do you think I could be asked? Last time I got quizzed a lot about the project I would be going into and my preparedness for that project. I assume it will be similar, just speculative about the projects .I applied for? And all the usual stuff confirming I'm prepared for a PhD in general?

Thanks for any help you guys can give
Following..
Original post by gee7894
Hey,
I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to contact a potential supervisor for your PhD?
I have already written my proposal and want to send it to a few people to see if anyone is interested. I'm really struggling and would appreciate any tips or advice!


Just look up the relevant people in the research group you are interested in and send them an email with your proposal and your CV. At least that's what I did. Then, if they are interested in your proposal and your academic experience, you can submit an application.
Is there anywhere I could see an example of a good cover letter for a science-related PhD application? I find samples the best way to learn, and I'm not 100% sure how to start at the moment :s-smilie:
Original post by bekahw96
Is there anywhere I could see an example of a good cover letter for a science-related PhD application? I find samples the best way to learn, and I'm not 100% sure how to start at the moment :s-smilie:


I would give you mine but can't guarantee they are good! Introduce yourself at first, and that you are interested in applying for the PhD position. Then talk about how your experience is relevant to the position (lab skills, soft skills etc). Have quick bit at the end saying why you'd want to work on this project specifically too (good lab? Good opportunities? experience in topic? etc)
Original post by QuentinM
I would give you mine but can't guarantee they are good! Introduce yourself at first, and that you are interested in applying for the PhD position. Then talk about how your experience is relevant to the position (lab skills, soft skills etc). Have quick bit at the end saying why you'd want to work on this project specifically too (good lab? Good opportunities? experience in topic? etc)


Thank you so much, that's really helpful advice :smile:
Original post by bekahw96
Thank you so much, that's really helpful advice :smile:


I will say feel free to message me if you have any questions about the process. I've applied for probably 20 positions in the past year, unfortunately still haven't got in but had a few interviews so could give a bit of advice for the whole process.
Original post by QuentinM
I will say feel free to message me if you have any questions about the process. I've applied for probably 20 positions in the past year, unfortunately still haven't got in but had a few interviews so could give a bit of advice for the whole process.


Hi

What is it that you study?
Original post by GreenBell
Hi

What is it that you study?


Biology. Trying to do a PhD in Neuroscience
Original post by QuentinM
Biology. Trying to do a PhD in Neuroscience


Ohh I did Human Biology. Can I pm you?
Original post by GreenBell
Ohh I did Human Biology. Can I pm you?


Of course!
Original post by artsytype
I'm doing humanities, but I sent a brief email saying that because of their research in____ I wanted to reach out to them on the possibility of working with them on my research in____. Then a couple sentences on my background and a link to my proposal draft on Google Docs. From there they let me know if it seemed like a potential fit.


How long should the proposal usually be? Most people say less than 800 words and perhaps even less, what do you think?
Original post by Lele-2018
How long should the proposal usually be? Most people say less than 800 words and perhaps even less, what do you think?


Usually, there would be an indication of length/word count on the Faculty/Department's website or the Graduate website itself. If it isn't stated explicitly, then check with the Graduate Admissions Office. They'll be in a better position to advice.

I say this because it varies from uni to uni, for e.g. Oxford states 2500 words while Cambridge requires a 1500 word proposal (this is in the social sciences). Elsewhere I have seen unis requesting for a 1000 word proposal. So, really it depends on the uni/faculty/department. Good luck!
Original post by Debazer
Do universities reject PhD applicants with not-so-great undergraduate records? I'm on my way to get a distinction for my MA at UCL, but got a 2.2 for my BA in another university. How detrimental is this going to be for my application?


Yes, it does depend on the supervisor but I'd say it all boils down to your research proposal and your letters of recommendation. If what you've written in your proposal, can be 'benchmarked' against your referees' recommendations, then I think you stand a fighting chance.

I am in a similar position as yourself and what I did was to really highlight my research achievements e.g. my grades on my Masters dissertations (I did one MA and one M.Ed study to downplay my mediocre BA grades), my overall grades in both Masters studies, conference presentations, and any research awards etc. That seemed to do the trick. I think they key is that they should see an upward progress, like okay so you did badly for your BA but hey look, you're faring well now as evidenced by your grades and what people are saying about you.

I hope this helps. Good luck @Debazer !
Original post by darshvader
Usually, there would be an indication of length/word count on the Faculty/Department's website or the Graduate website itself. If it isn't stated explicitly, then check with the Graduate Admissions Office. They'll be in a better position to advice.

I say this because it varies from uni to uni, for e.g. Oxford states 2500 words while Cambridge requires a 1500 word proposal (this is in the social sciences). Elsewhere I have seen unis requesting for a 1000 word proposal. So, really it depends on the uni/faculty/department. Good luck!


Just submitted my proposal--many thanks!!
I would like some advise. I've sent an email to a potential supervisor for a PhD. After waiting for a couple of weeks and hearing nothing, I sent a followup email. The thing is I would need two supervisors from this department (nothing unusal) due to the combination of methods. If I don't hear anything from the first person I contacted, would it be reasonable to try contacting the second potential supervisor?

I'm just rather anxious about not hearing from this department as I'm very restricted in what uni's I can apply in terms of location, type of labs needed, and accessibility.
I struggled to find a potential supervisor in London because I have a somewhat multidisciplinary research interest and I was told it was very specialist. My undergrad was in cognitive neuroscience and I did very well, being awarded the department prize. The thing is I'm not interested in the clinical/medical side at all and my final year BSc research project was on high cognitive ability. The only postgrad course I felt really fit my interests at all was the differential psychology masters in Edinburgh, but I cannot afford to live away from home.
I decided to just try and get onto a PhD and wrote my own proposal, and sent it to my former BSc project supervisor, as my research proposal is a continuation of that project. She and I met up for a chat in October, together with a possible external secondary supervisor to help with one of the aspects in which she is not expert. They liked my proposal but wanted me to work on it some more, which I did. It ended up being a bit more of a full rewrite than I'd envisaged, but I thought it was a far stronger proposal than my original submission.
Incidentally, because I proposed the project myself, I'm unfunded and currently working part time in a completely unrelated line of business.
In the meantime, the admissions office moved my start date to January, which is frustrating as I've already been working on my literature review, just without being formally enrolled yet. The admissions office received my resubmission, as I checked with them what exactly I was supposed to do for a re-submit, but I haven't heard from the academics, whom I emailed with the reworked proposal. Now I doubt anything is likely to even be looked at until the new year.
How long do these things usually take to get processed and an offer made when a revised proposal has been requested?
Original post by mrsbloggs
I struggled to find a potential supervisor in London because I have a somewhat multidisciplinary research interest and I was told it was very specialist. My undergrad was in cognitive neuroscience and I did very well, being awarded the department prize. The thing is I'm not interested in the clinical/medical side at all and my final year BSc research project was on high cognitive ability. The only postgrad course I felt really fit my interests at all was the differential psychology masters in Edinburgh, but I cannot afford to live away from home.
I decided to just try and get onto a PhD and wrote my own proposal, and sent it to my former BSc project supervisor, as my research proposal is a continuation of that project. She and I met up for a chat in October, together with a possible external secondary supervisor to help with one of the aspects in which she is not expert. They liked my proposal but wanted me to work on it some more, which I did. It ended up being a bit more of a full rewrite than I'd envisaged, but I thought it was a far stronger proposal than my original submission.
Incidentally, because I proposed the project myself, I'm unfunded and currently working part time in a completely unrelated line of business.
In the meantime, the admissions office moved my start date to January, which is frustrating as I've already been working on my literature review, just without being formally enrolled yet. The admissions office received my resubmission, as I checked with them what exactly I was supposed to do for a re-submit, but I haven't heard from the academics, whom I emailed with the reworked proposal. Now I doubt anything is likely to even be looked at until the new year.
How long do these things usually take to get processed and an offer made when a revised proposal has been requested?

Should you not try and apply for funding as well? I know most places are quite hesistant on accepting students that don't yet have funding. I don't really have anything else to add. Though, I think you're probably right that the offer will be made after christmas.
(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by mrsbloggs
I struggled to find a potential supervisor in London because I have a somewhat multidisciplinary research interest and I was told it was very specialist. My undergrad was in cognitive neuroscience and I did very well, being awarded the department prize. The thing is I'm not interested in the clinical/medical side at all and my final year BSc research project was on high cognitive ability. The only postgrad course I felt really fit my interests at all was the differential psychology masters in Edinburgh, but I cannot afford to live away from home.
I decided to just try and get onto a PhD and wrote my own proposal, and sent it to my former BSc project supervisor, as my research proposal is a continuation of that project. She and I met up for a chat in October, together with a possible external secondary supervisor to help with one of the aspects in which she is not expert. They liked my proposal but wanted me to work on it some more, which I did. It ended up being a bit more of a full rewrite than I'd envisaged, but I thought it was a far stronger proposal than my original submission.
Incidentally, because I proposed the project myself, I'm unfunded and currently working part time in a completely unrelated line of business.
In the meantime, the admissions office moved my start date to January, which is frustrating as I've already been working on my literature review, just without being formally enrolled yet. The admissions office received my resubmission, as I checked with them what exactly I was supposed to do for a re-submit, but I haven't heard from the academics, whom I emailed with the reworked proposal. Now I doubt anything is likely to even be looked at until the new year.
How long do these things usually take to get processed and an offer made when a revised proposal has been requested?



Hi @mrsbloggs,

Sorry to hear that it has taken this while! I think you are on track though. You have done the most important thing which is getting a supervisor who has shown real interest in your work. If the University's PhD application process is like most I know, the offer will be made when the supervisor communicates with the Admission Team. He/she will give the go-ahead as it is important that you have a confirmed supervisor before you start and she should be ready for you.

I will advise that you contact the supervisor you have started communicating with. She should follow things up with you. This was what happened with my PhD application a couple of years ago at Cranfield.

Cheers!

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