PostDoc Discussion Forum

Hi geoshuk,

I'm not sure if I've understood you correctly, so I apologise if I've got this wrong. It sounds like you emailed your interviewers after the interview, and one replied and told you that you were ranked third, but the others haven't replied separately.

I think if I were in your position, I would interpret the email as a rejection: they have already told you that they have ranked you third, so presumably they have offered the PhD to somebody else. Their response sounds a little vague but I assume what they mean is 'we will let you know if the other two drop out'. On the other hand, it could be interpreted as a holding email, but I don't think it's very likely - you generally don't tell somebody they were third choice if you are still thinking of hiring them.

If the email is unclear I think you are within your rights to email them but to me it sounds as though you were unsuccessful. If I had not heard back after 3 and a half weeks I would probably reach that conclusion.

Hope this helps.

I think I have to apply another PHD position :( thank you so much for your answers.

I remember the time I was searching for a PhD studentship, I got interviewed on a number of occasions. At the end of the interview when I am given an opportunity to ask the interviewer(s) some questions or seek any clarifications, I would always ask when I should expect to get a response and they'd tell me.

The rule of thumb is to apply for as many studentships as possible, don't give up when you get a rejection, build on that to improve (amend) your CV or Statement of Purpose etc. I started searching for PhD studentships in 2011 and I finally got it in 2013. I even developed a spreadsheet which contained data of institutions I had applied for, the date I submitted the application, date interviewed (if any), date of expected outcome and the outcome.

Just to give you a rough estimate of how long it took to get a response for my current PhD position; I was interviewed on 26 March 2013 and I received an email on 20 May 2013 that I was successful (happiest day of my life).

I got the call less than an hour after my interview to offer me the studentship, but then it was a group interview in my case (all candidates showed up on the same day at the same time) so the circumstances were pretty unusual. Nevertheless, I'd expect letting you know within 2 weeks is probably about normal if they have accepted you.


Wow - that's a really long time to hear back! If it had been me I would have contacted them after a couple of weeks or else assumed I hadn't got the position. Was there any particular reason why they kept you hanging on for so long?

I disagree with the idea of applying for as many positions as possible. Academia can be a small world and supervisors in the same field talk. It could end up harming your chances.

Hi there,

I have a similar question. I was shortlisted and interviewed about four months ago by a British university. Unfortunately, I forgot in the interview to ask when the results are informed. Until now, I have sent several emails about the time of announcing the results. However, I have received no answer from them, except one email that told me that all applicants are informed in the next few weeks (I received this email in the first month after the interview). In your opinion, am I still in the evaluation process or it might I am rejected and they forgot to declare the results to me?!

Thanks a lot

Yes, you are right. Thank you for your advice!
In fact, the only thing that has kept me hopeful is the received email containing ''all applicants are informed after the evaluation got finished''. I think it is not very professional if they do not inform the applicants, even rejected ones!


I hate to say it but after four months and no contact I would assume you have been unsuccessful :-(

If you wanted to find out for sure it might be worth telephoning the administrator of the department, it's more difficult to ignore phone calls...[/quote]