If it takes SEVEN YEARS to get a masters, is it even worth putting on the ***** cv?!!

Xenomorhic

Sorry, but I need to moan.

I started a PHD many many moons ago, hit some terrible snags of the following nature;
Family breakup
Illness
Loss of job
Loss of partner

System faults
Loss of subjects
Viral infection on computer

And so on..

I switched to apply for an MPhil- I'm sure a lot of people know this is the equivalent of a masters, but I just describe it as a masters a lot now so people realise what I'm on about here at home- took part time work and submitted a draft OVER A YEAR AGO.
I've not seen it since. I'm in contact with the graduate office and on the verge of entering a formal complaint.

I'm AT MY WITS END!!!

At this rate I'll not finish until next year. That's about 7 years to do the equivalent of a masters. I'm mortified.

studentphil

Of course it is worth putting it on. It shows grit and resolve to finish it.

An Mphil is considered to be like a Higher Masters anyway, so do not down grade it to just a MA.

Well done on sticking with it!!!

Xenomorhic

Thanks, I never actually thought of it like that...!

I'm waiting for a reply from the bloke who's supposed to be intervening and feeling very impatient- like there must be smoke coming outta my ears...!

SamMoffatt28

Think of the sense of achievement you will feel when its finished! You will be able to say to yourself I went through all of that to get this and I still managed to do it. It will make it all the more worthwhile. Keep up the hard work it will be worth it in the end!

misskool

It's worth putting it in your cv, makes a good response when they ask the standard interview question of "describe a situation in which you were...."

What I'm more concerned about is that your draft has been submitted a year ago and you've not received any notification about it? I assume by loss of subject that you had to change supervisors for the switch from phd to mphil?

I would chase it up to get it back so you can submit the final copy and get the viva done.

If there is a graduate officer in your department, that should be the first point of contact, otherwise welfare office in student union who will be able to escalate for you.

Keep reminding people but be super polite about it, they'll feel guilty about it at some point. Also, I get the feeling you're probably not in the same city as where you're submitting your Mphil but if you are, try hanging outside the office of some people and you'll be sorted quickly.

Sadly, people prefer email because it's an easy way to ignore a difficult problem but they cant do that if you're standing outside their office door!

Chin up, it'll all be alright.

Xenomorhic

Hi Miss Kool

Subjects- I lost access to a block of participants for reasons I can't go into- not my fault, there was a rift between my supervisor and a lady we were supposed to be working with.

I've had the same supervisor throughout.
Since I submitted the draft I emailed each month and phoned every 2 months to try and get it back, marked. My supervisor has claimed to have posted it on no less than 3 occasions and I have given my correct address FOUR TIMES! And it's still not arrived. I have considered travelling in but it's a bit of a trek from where I am and she's so often not there it's not worth it. I've been to the uni to talk to the graduate office. I might ring them if I've not had an email by tomorrow.

Thanks for the soothing responses everyone. It's no lie to say I'd been feeling like I wasted several years of my life doing this. At least it worked out as a part time course rather than full, I've always been in work except for the period of illness.

studentphil

I always find the trick with these things is to go to a face to face meeting as that seems to make the issue real to them and they tend to get on with it. If you can go to a meeting with them that would help.

If you did an MA part time or via OU then you could be talking 4 years to do it, considering you have been ill as well(which can happen sadly- not your fault), then 7 years is not really that bad.

melancholly

an MPhil really is a lot more than a normal masters - and it's independent research work rather than more lectures and exams so be proud of it!! it's well worth the fight to get it to show it off on your cv. which university is it that has been this bad? (i completely undertand that you might not want to say)

si1503

Why on earth would you not put it on your C.V.?

anewman

Perhaps you could just put the date each qualification was gained rather than give the length of time (to minimise the impact, although I do not know if employers would pick up on it)? Although as people say an Mphil is more than a masters. An MPhil is one piece of work, a PhD is two.

It's a good idea to always keep backups of computer work (although I admit I don't religiously do this myself.)

studentphil

An Mphil is meant to be 2/3 of a PHD, but as most people tend to need four years for a PHD rather than 3, so in reality it more like 1/2 a PHD.