PhD interview...

[piffar]

I have a PhD interview for something I've always dreamed of doing yay!

I started a MSc last Sept and have had nothing but trouble and personal issues throughout - bereavements, poor mental health, having to move from the University back home and "self-teach" the modules. All in all, it's been a horrendous experience, exasperated by the presence of extreme anxiety around examinations.

In all other assignments I've scored 80+. I have tried so so hard to overcome the anxiety - different meds, waiting list for CBT etc., but I am worse than i was in Sept

I therefore have 2 outstanding exams (worth 40% of Module 1 and 40% of Module 2). I will submit my dissertation next month - I feel less anxious around these types of assignments as when I have off-weeks I can still work on it in the evenings/concentration doesn't matter as much.

These exams would be sat in Dec... however, I've just received an interview invitation from my Undergrad uni.

The essential requirements are a 1st BSc (which i have) and desirable is a relevant MSc (which obviously I spoke about and am working on).

I feel like the PhD should have been my first port of call - but there was no adverts last year. Research is what I excel at.

Would it be utterly stupid to try and get a PGDip/PGCert from this year, and start the PhD in Sept?

I dread the thought of drawing out this MSc until December, and missing my chance at PhD.

I also have to think of the financial implications of doing this- the PHD is funded and salaried, which would mean I could move out of my parents and into my own flat, which would no doubt allow me to have a better standard of living. If I carried on the MSc I would likely have to get a retail job for the next 12 months, with no chance of moving out of my parents, but obviously I would get the MSc.

Also, how would I talk about this at interview? Would I say that I am electing for the PGCert/PGDip and be clear that the reason for this is because I am finding distance-learning has a detrimental effect on my mental wellbeing?

I would still submit the dissertation ofc, which is the only thing I've learned from this whole course. And obviously it's key to research skills.

I think I have three options:

1. Decline the PhD interview, and finish the MSc in December. Apply again for September 2020.
2. Accept the PhD interview, and elect for an exit award of PGCert/PGDip
3. Accept the PhD interview, and somehow try and sit exams in 2 weeks hoping just for a pass?

I am so so stressed, I never really wanted to do the MSc, but did so because I thought it was a prerequisite. Now it appears not.

But it will look awful if I stop won't it

Anyone

Accept the interview and see what the expectations of the interviewers are.

In general, completing rather than not completing a course of study is likely to be the best option.

Option 2. Why not? If you are confident in getting the PhD then having an MSc on top is no advantage. I would just sell how good you are at the research, how you really want to do the PhD and that this seems a perfect opportunity. If you sit the exams in two weeks and fail, can you still convert to a PGDip? Do you need to tell them at the interview that you'll drop out of the MSc? As an interviewer my main concern would be that you would drop out of the PhD too

I am confident about getting the PhD, although I understand how difficult they are. I have always excelled at research, having worked in this field for a while (as a research assistant).

If I fail the two exams (which is possible because of my MH at the minute) then I think I would be able to get a PGCert from the thesis.

The other option is to obviously extend my MSc into next year, try and get a relevant job after I complete the exams (probably in Dec) and re-apply in May time next year.

I feel like I'm wasting so much time. I graduated two years ago and struggling through this MSc has really got me down

Option 4.

You interview for the PhD, get it and then still go back to sit your existing exams in Dec.

As it is a desirable not essential req you'd still meet their criteria. It would be a shame not to apply. I have a friend at DMU on PhD who did exactly this last year as the dates of the courses didn't match. Rather than her exams it was the diss extending into the PhD programme but this was a positive as she was able to tailor her reading and research to be more specific therefore useful for the upcoming doctorate.

In terms of your health I would not go into detail at interview if it does come up I would talk about it in terms of resilience and problem solving that you have had a tough year personally but by doing xyz you ensured that you could continue on your MSc which is very important to you.

Questions I was asked in my PhD interview:

Why do you want to do this PhD?
Why this institution?
What do you plan to do afterwards?
Tell us about a piece of work you have done that you are proud of.
Tell us about a time when you have responded to feedback.
Tell us about a time you overcame a problem.
What do you know about doing a PhD?
What do you think are the challenges you will face on a PhD?
Is you were to be appointed, what would your plan of action be for the first month of the PhD?
Any questions.

I'd urge you to complete the MSc anyway. I know lots of people who dropped out of PhDs as it was not for them. Those with masters were so glad they still had postgrad on their CV and have not had any problems finding work.

What does your current course add that a phd won’t?

I’d be inclined to attend the interview, if they ask about your current course be honest and say this phd is where you see yourself and your career, and you will look at options for finishing up prior to commencing the phd. I wouldn’t go into your difficulties/mh, be as positive as you can.

It’s not completely unusual to finish up the msc while starting the phd anyway, so you may be fine with some overlap if you don’t have to physically attend daily for your msc.

Go to the interview. If you are offered it you can deal with what to do then.

You might get more responses on the higher education board. Further ed is 6th form and college.