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Re: Honesty versus Optimism » alexandra_k

Posted by Larry Hoover on October 27, 2004, at 8:02:08

In reply to Re: Honesty versus Optimism, posted by alexandra_k on October 26, 2004, at 19:19:42

> Oh thankyou so much ((((Larry Hoover)))) that was just what I needed to hear!

Goody! You're welcome.

> I just worry about the references because I am asking people to stake their academic reputation on their reccomendation. If I F up then it reflects badly on them for having reccomended me.

I would argue that that too is a false belief. The professors on either side of this transaction were themselves once in your position. They have an intimate knowledge of how it works, and who is responsible, in the end.


> All the references are anonomous to the applicant, but I am sure I will get good ones.

Rather than references, think of them as letters of introduction. They really are nothing more than that, in the end.

> > Fair? You're only applying. Don't presuppose acceptance, or the terms of an acceptance.

> Actually, that is why I am so keen on the US, in the southern hemisphere our PhD programs are 3 years long and thesis only, no more course work. I want an extra two years so I can do more course work, and especially pick up a minor in cognitive / brain science.

You are entering into negotiations, not servitude. There are very few rules, indeed.

> I guess that I figuered they would take a pretty harsh line on my meeting my work committments. What can happen is that I freak out and need to take a week off. If I don't meet a deadline, then I thought I'd be sent home.

A week off? It's routine. Not meeting deadlines without any discussion might be a bad thing. Make a habit of that, and it will look poorly on you.

> But I guess that they are not such meanies that they won't accept compassionate grounds.

Mental health issues are positively correlated with intelligence. Your supervisor might have more personal insight into your struggle than you could even imagine. In other words, your thinking that you are a uniquely challenged individual is probably not correct.

> And I think that I get what you get - if I know compassionate grounds are available then that gives me the strength to not need them.

That worked for me.

> > If you were their chosen candidate, they will not throw away their investment without working to accomodate.
>
> yeah, I never thought of that.

It hardly looks good on them to have Ph.D. candidates dropping like flies.

> PS - what are you studying?

Just now, life. I am not presently in academia. Long story.

Lar

 

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poster:Larry Hoover thread:407293
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20041026/msgs/407828.html