2019 Doctorate Application Progress thread

[V3232]

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

[Cambpsych]

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...

I 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.

Hi 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!

[Alice132]

Honestly a bit shocked but absolutely over the moon

Birmingham
Leeds
Lancaster-->Lancaster-->Lancaster
Sheffield

[Siogamue]

Honestly a bit shocked but absolutely over the moon

Birmingham
Leeds
Lancaster-->Lancaster-->Lancaster
Sheffield

Hello! I think we met at interview!? Did we have a chat about the zoo when we finished up? Congratulations!!

[sjt1244]

2017
QUB (8th) unsuccessful

2018
QUB

2019
Leeds
Cardiff
QUB (Stage 1) -> QUB (Stage 2) ->waiting
Bath (rank unknown) -> Bath
Liverpool (13th)

Does anyone know about movement on the Liverpool list?

Leeds
Liverpool
Cardiff
Bath
QUB (3rd)

[sjt1244]

2017
QUB (8th) unsuccessful

2018
QUB

2019
Leeds
Cardiff
QUB (Stage 1) -> QUB (Stage 2) ->waiting
Bath (rank unknown) -> Bath
Liverpool (13th)

Does anyone know about movement on the Liverpool list?

Leeds
Liverpool
Cardiff
Bath
QUB (3rd)

[Alice132]

Hello! I think we met at interview!? Did we have a chat about the zoo when we finished up? Congratulations!!

Hey! Yes we did Thanks very much

[panda1234]

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!

[ruby08]

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.

[sjt1244]

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!

[workingmama]

Many congrats there, sjt1244, and commiserations to all those for whom this wasn't the year.

[miriam]

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.

[McKennaAM]

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!

Congratulations Sjt1244! Such brilliant news. It looks like we're going to be in the same class

[Haemosu]

4th 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!

Congratulations!
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.

Thanks! Really hard to say. Last year my application was only marginally different, and I have not really gained that much experience since then.
I guess that just goes to show how much of this process depends on sheer luck, but also perseverance!