2019 Doctorate Application Progress thread
Re: 2019 Doctorate Application Progress thread
This has been my journey - long and painful! I'm 32 as well and finally have a place; I am so happy. Posting this to show it's not about it being easy, and a lot of the time it doesn't make sense (2017 was a particularly painful year), wish everyone all the best x
2016
UCL
IOPPN
Salomons
Royal Holloway
2017
UCL
Surrey
Salomons
Royal Holloway
2018
UCL
UEL
Surrey
IOPPN
2019
UCL
Herts
IOPPN
Royal Holloway
2016
UCL
IOPPN
Salomons
Royal Holloway
2017
UCL
Surrey
Salomons
Royal Holloway
2018
UCL
UEL
Surrey
IOPPN
2019
UCL
Herts
IOPPN
Royal Holloway
Re: 2019 Doctorate Application Progress thread
30 is still super young - don’t compare yourself to others, everyone has a different path with different personal circumstances. I’m going to turn 38 this year - it’s been a long road of part-time study and change of career for me. My second time applying this year and first interviews - with 1 reserve list. I was very nervous in the interviews and didn’t perform to my best ability, so not surprised about that. But I’m working as an RA now and loving it, so very content to wait another year... I’m sure, I’ll get on if it’s right for me and if not I’ll stay in research. As they say, don’t focus too much on the destination, just enjoy the journey. Although, I know that’s easier said than done...
Esuma wrote: ↑Wed May 29, 2019 10:03 pmHi Benbrand - I’m also approaching 30 and having a bit of a personal freak out this year after my rejection. I think it’s important to post the rejections and be honest about these lows as, particularly this year, it seems nearly everyone posting has got offers and that’s a whole lot of selection bias going on!benbrand wrote: ↑Wed May 29, 2019 8:41 pmI was debating as to whether I would even post as it's difficult, but I think it's important to acknowledge the rejections! I'm feeling like this whole process is like a game of snakes and ladders! Now I'm approaching 30 I'm wondering where to go now.
Edinburgh
UEA
IOP
Birmingham
Congrats to all the blues, It's so encouraging to see peoples success stories.
Re: 2019 Doctorate Application Progress thread
Honestly a bit shocked but absolutely over the moon
Birmingham
Leeds
Lancaster-->Lancaster-->Lancaster
Sheffield



Birmingham
Leeds
Lancaster-->Lancaster-->Lancaster
Sheffield
It would be so nice if something made sense for a change
Re: 2019 Doctorate Application Progress thread
Hey! Yes we did

It would be so nice if something made sense for a change
Re: 2019 Doctorate Application Progress thread
Third time applying for me - though last year I did end up withdrawing my application because of some pretty hefty difficulties going on in my professional life at the time. Thrilled to be offered a place at Essex after having my confidence completely knocked back in early 2018 due to this. Makes it all the more sweeter!
2017
Essex -> Essex
UEA -> UEA
Hertfordshire
UCL
2018
Application withdrawn.
2019
Essex -> Essex -> Essex
UEL -> UEL
Hertfordshire
UCL
Good luck to everyone else waiting hear / those on the reserve lists. This whole process is so frustrating and I really do hope that those who have not had the success they were hoping for this year don't take it out on themselves - do something kind for yourself for surviving the journey thus far!
2017
Essex -> Essex
UEA -> UEA
Hertfordshire
UCL
2018
Application withdrawn.
2019
Essex -> Essex -> Essex
UEL -> UEL
Hertfordshire
UCL
Good luck to everyone else waiting hear / those on the reserve lists. This whole process is so frustrating and I really do hope that those who have not had the success they were hoping for this year don't take it out on themselves - do something kind for yourself for surviving the journey thus far!
Re: 2019 Doctorate Application Progress thread
This is how the land lies for me at the end of this interview season:
Liverpool (now full)
Manchester (now full)
Glasgow
Frustrated to say the least (more with myself than anything else) at having three cracks of the whip and not quite tipping the balance. Some self care and restoration is needed before regrouping and learning from this experience before the cycle starts again!
Best wishes and well done to all for getting through this season.
Liverpool (now full)
Manchester (now full)
Glasgow
Frustrated to say the least (more with myself than anything else) at having three cracks of the whip and not quite tipping the balance. Some self care and restoration is needed before regrouping and learning from this experience before the cycle starts again!
Best wishes and well done to all for getting through this season.
Re: 2019 Doctorate Application Progress thread
2017
QUB (8th)
2018
QUB
2019
Leeds
Liverpool (13th) -> Liverpool (2nd)
Bath (rank unknown) -> Bath -> Bath
Cardiff
QUB (Stage 1) -> QUB (Stage 2) -> QUB (3rd) --> QUB!!!!
This year has been an absolute rollercoaster to say the least... and it was only last week that I found out about QUB. Can't believe there's finally a dark blue amongst all these colours!
QUB (8th)
2018
QUB
2019
Leeds
Liverpool (13th) -> Liverpool (2nd)
Bath (rank unknown) -> Bath -> Bath
Cardiff
QUB (Stage 1) -> QUB (Stage 2) -> QUB (3rd) --> QUB!!!!
This year has been an absolute rollercoaster to say the least... and it was only last week that I found out about QUB. Can't believe there's finally a dark blue amongst all these colours!

- workingmama
- Team Member
- Posts: 1495
- Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2008 1:54 pm
- Location: UK
Re: 2019 Doctorate Application Progress thread
Many congrats there, sjt1244, and commiserations to all those for whom this wasn't the year.
Fail, fail again, fail better.
Re: 2019 Doctorate Application Progress thread
Don't forget to post on our polls (pinned to the top of the doctoral applications section) about how long it took before you got onto training, and to give us a brief summary of your experiences so that other people can see the standards expected of trainees.
Re: 2019 Doctorate Application Progress thread
sjt1244 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 01, 2019 10:43 am2017
QUB (8th)
2018
QUB
2019
Leeds
Liverpool (13th) -> Liverpool (2nd)
Bath (rank unknown) -> Bath -> Bath
Cardiff
QUB (Stage 1) -> QUB (Stage 2) -> QUB (3rd) --> QUB!!!!
This year has been an absolute rollercoaster to say the least... and it was only last week that I found out about QUB. Can't believe there's finally a dark blue amongst all these colours!![]()
Congratulations Sjt1244! Such brilliant news. It looks like we're going to be in the same class

Re: 2019 Doctorate Application Progress thread
Thanks! Really hard to say. Last year my application was only marginally different, and I have not really gained that much experience since then.Jeremy34 wrote: ↑Tue May 28, 2019 6:38 pmCongratulations!Haemosu wrote: ↑Sun May 26, 2019 9:43 pm4th time applying. Last year didn't even get a single interview. So many times I have found myself disillusioned, doubting my ability, often literally on the verge of a career change. Also, being a male speaking English as a second language might not exactly 'fit' what's widely considered to be the perfect candidate profile, and for me has long been a source of worry.
But it can be done!
Did you do anything between years of applying that could have improved your chances?
It's really striking when people share their attempts over the years, and one year some get onto reserve lists and the next they don't even get an interview.
I guess that just goes to show how much of this process depends on sheer luck, but also perseverance!
Re: 2019 Doctorate Application Progress thread
Will this be reposted for this years entry? 

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