Got invited for a PhD interview

BritishPeace · #1 21st October 2014, 00:03

They said it can be face-to-face or over Skype, I don't have a Skype account, and can't afford train fare to Sheffield, I'll probs fail anyway, don't know if to go.

umm · #2 21st October 2014, 00:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by BritishPeace

They said it can be face-to-face or over Skype, I don't have a Skype account, don't know if to go

Just get a Skype account. Takes 1 minute.

CyprusPluto · #3 21st October 2014, 00:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by BritishPeace

They said it can be face-to-face or over Skype, I don't have a Skype account, and can't afford train fare to Sheffield, I'll probs fail anyway, don't know if to go.

Wow, that's brilliant. You have to try for that. As umm has said Skype is quick to set up (obviously you'll need a webcam, but most laptops have one built in)

MissyP. · #4 21st October 2014, 00:15

That sounds excellent, is it something you would really like to do? Skype accounts are easy to use, you could just do a voice chat unless they specify it had to be video. Think positively, give it a go otherwise you might regret it and think what ifs.

BritishPeace · #5 21st October 2014, 00:30

I will join for a Skype account and my laptop does have a webcam (never used). I don't want to go on cam as I am ****ing minging. I'd go to Sheffield on train if I could afford, I hate cams. Don't know whether they will think I'm ugly on cam so we'll see if I accept.

Focused · #6 21st October 2014, 00:30

Sounds great BP. Skype sounds the easier and more helpful option.

Z. · #7 21st October 2014, 00:34

Getting Skype seems like the easiest option BP. You can get some cheap webcams as well as far as I'm aware if you don't have one already.

BritishPeace · #8 21st October 2014, 00:34

Thanks focused, I need to make a presentation to send, and a skype name

BritishPeace · #9 22nd October 2014, 22:25

Okay I am making a Skype acoount tomorrow, they said on email have a phone handy in case skype doesn't work. My laptop has a web cam but don't know if it has microphone. I need to test out if it has a microphone somehow.

BritishPeace · #10 22nd October 2014, 22:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floppy

That sounds excellent, is it something you would really like to do? Skype accounts are easy to use, you could just do a voice chat unless they specify it had to be video. Think positively, give it a go otherwise you might regret it and think what ifs.

I am not sure if it is something I want to do, I just applied to see if I'd get selected as an experiment. I'm in second year (of two) of my master's and so should really wait till I've finished my MSc properly; but it is in an area I like which is why I applied. Also, PhDs come with a salary and I am currently on ESA and stuggling to pay for basic stuff. I don't want to do a PhD though it's my third-ranked career option. I either want MBChb or DPsy, then PhD. PhD is the far down third.

lone ranger · #11 23rd October 2014, 23:03

Sounds good, just bite the bullet and go for it.
And if you don't try, you fail anyway! Got nothing to lose.
Whats your subject?

BritishPeace · #12 23rd October 2014, 23:18

Yeah I am gonna try, not sure I want to do it but nothing to lose.

Psychology/neurology so in this instance trying to correlate mental illness with physiological factors, so conversion with EEGs for instance.

lone ranger · #13 23rd October 2014, 23:23

Great, keep us posted how it goes!
Phd's sound pretty difficult as for the research papers

BritishPeace · #14 29th October 2014, 23:03

Well guys, I'm now not going for this PhD.

I joined Skype today, and tried to hide the little picture of you that comes up in the corner. Unbeknownst to me the picture popped up in the middle of the screen to test if I coud see myself on the cam. I looked absolutely grotesque, much worse than I thought I did so sent an email saying that I no longer want to continue with the PhD, I cannot have the confidence to be seen on cam. I have written down what I want to say and am going to my GP tomorrow to discuss treatment for my face which hopefully he'll take seriously and will make me more able to function.

Azalea · #15 29th October 2014, 23:17

Good luck with the GP, I hope you get the help you need.

BritishPeace · #16 29th October 2014, 23:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azalea

Good luck with the GP, I hope you get the help you need.

Thanks Azalea, I have an appointment of Tues at Breach & Partners, but they said if I phone tomorrow morning I cn get an appointment on the same day. I don't normally use phones but I am desperate to change how I look.

Azalea · #17 29th October 2014, 23:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by BritishPeace

Thanks Azalea, I have an appointment of Tues at Breach & Partners, but they said if I phone tomorrow morning I cn get an appointment on the same day. I don't normally use phones but I am desperate to change how I look.

I struggle with the phone too.
Is that station road? I'm not with them so don't know what they are like.
Writing down what you want to say is a good idea, I don't know what the problem with your face is but a lot more can be done these days.