PhD questions--in a pickle

[mark_alec]

In terms of automatically getting all this award or scholarship money, that's just not the way it works. If your marks are good enough you are accepted into the PhD program, but then there are separate scholarship applications and separate grant applications. You can keep applying every six months, and if you publish or speak at conferences or something about your circumstances change in the meantime they might give you one even if you have been rejected in earlier rounds.

That's a very different experience to the one I had (at the University of Melbourne). When I applied for my MPhil, I recall just submitting a one-page form and pressing a button online to say "I want to be considered for an APA and MRS". Shortly afterwards got notification of APA. I don't know anyone there that isn't supported during their PhD, but perhaps other universities have different policies.

[meganrobyn]

That's a very different experience to the one I had (at the University of Melbourne). When I applied for my MPhil, I recall just submitting a one-page form and pressing a button online to say "I want to be considered for an APA and MRS". Shortly afterwards got notification of APA. I don't know anyone there that isn't supported during their PhD, but perhaps other universities have different policies.

That button also exists at Monash... but then there's a separate scholarship consideration process for which you need to supply substantiation, arguments, etc, in a formal application.

At any rate, getting HDs/H1s doesn't mean you're guaranteed any money for your PhD

[humph]

That button also exists at Monash... but then there's a separate scholarship consideration process for which you need to supply substantiation, arguments, etc, in a formal application.

At any rate, getting HDs/H1s doesn't mean you're guaranteed any money for your PhD

I disagree. There was no process for being awarded an Australian Postgraduate Award other than pressing a button online. In particular, I seem to recall that the ANU website specifically states that you're guaranteed an APA if you have an honours degree with first class honours. It may be different for Monash, but for Melbourne and ANU it's a done deal, and I certainly don't know of any PhD or MPhil students who didn't get an APA.

[meganrobyn]

I disagree. There was no process for being awarded an Australian Postgraduate Award other than pressing a button online. In particular, I seem to recall that the ANU website specifically states that you're guaranteed an APA if you have an honours degree with first class honours. It may be different for Monash, but for Melbourne and ANU it's a done deal, and I certainly don't know of any PhD or MPhil students who didn't get an APA.

I'm not sure how you can "disagree". I'm *doing* a PhD. I clicked the button for APA consideration *and* put in a scholarship application. I know other people who are also doing a PhD. We all have first class Honours or Postgraduate Diplomas. Two of us got scholarships (and one other person received a special scholarship for disadvantage, but in another faculty). There's nothing to disagree about.

[crescendo]

And I'm pretty sure the phd scholarship procedures apply very differently to international students?

[ninwa]

I'm not sure how you can "disagree". I'm *doing* a PhD. I clicked the button for APA consideration *and* put in a scholarship application. I know other people who are also doing a PhD. We all have first class Honours or Postgraduate Diplomas. Two of us got scholarships (and one other person received a special scholarship for disadvantage, but in another faculty). There's nothing to disagree about.

The people you are replying to are also doing PhDs. It's quite possible that the process varies between universities. I don't think it's necessary to get so worked up about it.

[simpak]

"Applicants to the University of Melbourne use the same form to apply for all graduate research degrees and to make a scholarship application."

And from Monash "You apply for our research degrees and scholarships online using the same application form."

But I suppose that it may differ depending on a faculty!  Probably not a blanket thing always.

[meganrobyn]

The people you are replying to are also doing PhDs. It's quite possible that the process varies between universities. I don't think it's necessary to get so worked up about it.

I think you may have misunderstood my point. Recognising that things are not the same across the board was what I was arguing in favour of.

I was in no way invalidating their experiences as inaccurate - rather, I was arguing that the process does, in fact, vary between universities, faculties and people, and that my experience and the experience of others in my faculty and university ought not to be invalidated. Mostly, though, because I think it's unfair to sell a PhD experience to a prospective candidate as something with a guaranteed stream of income. I want Crescendo to apply for a PhD by all means if he or she wants the experience, because it's great - but also not to be misled into thinking that they don't need to look at a range of options about where their funding and income will come from.

[mark_alec]

What department are you doing a PhD in? I'm honestly surprised that Monash would accept students without a source of funding.

[Hancock]

Not meaning to sound condescending at all, but I've been wondering why many people actually do PhDs? Is it for the pursuit of knowledge, or are you guys looking to do it as a stepping stone to a research intensive sector?

[mark_alec]

Not meaning to sound condescending at all, but I've been wondering why many people actually do PhDs? Is it for the pursuit of knowledge, or are you guys looking to do it as a stepping stone to a research intensive sector?

I actually love both research work and the university lifestyle. Another way to put it is that I didn't want a job (or to live in the real world) and a PhD was the most fun way to spend another 5+ years of my life.

[crescendo]

I actually love both research work and the university lifestyle. Another way to put it is that I didn't want a job (or to live in the real world) and a PhD was the most fun way to spend another 5+ years of my life.

So have you graduated now? what sector are you working in? industry, research, or academia?

[mark_alec]

So have you graduated now? what sector are you working in? industry, research, or academia?

Started a PhD in the US this autumn - got a long road ahead (hence the 5+ years).

[Hancock]

Really? I've applied for my PhD at Monash (finance) and there was no separate scholarship process? It was very similar to what mark_alec/humph said, the PhD application + scholarship was "together", just a click of a button and you're done lol. I've thought Monash scholarship applications worked that way for all levels, undergrad through to postgraduate, I've never submitted any separate applications for scholarships, it was always automatic if you got the required marks/awards etc
They do, it's just like you said in your earlier posts, maybe it's different for meganrobyn's faculty.

Did you apply to Harvard? I remember reading that this was one of your goals.

[TrueTears]

I will be very soon (1 more week before honours end).