8 Pitfalls to avoid while applying for a PhD
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8 pitfalls to avoid while applying for PhD
Consultancy absconding 01
after receiving payment
02 Consultancy sending fake 
certificates
Difference of Opinion with 03
the Guide
04 Work-life Balance
A 3 yr. PhD can be dragged 
for more than 6 yrs. due to 05
abstract not being accepted 
etc
Thesis not getting accepted 
06 for Publication
Too many visits to University 07
needed and their Workplace 
doesn't give that many days 
off
08 The panel asks for bribes
02 04 06 08
01 03 05 07
Consultancy absconding after receiving payment
There have been many instances where an applicant makes all the 
payment only to find out that the consultant absconded with the money.
Such instances can be avoided by checking credibility of the firm by calling 
partnered universities and enquiring with references.
02 04 06 08
01 03 05 07
Consultancy sending fake certificates
One of the problem faced by PhD students is receiving fake certificates. 
Few firms engage in such fraud. 
Students must be proactive, verify firm's credibility. Speak to previous students 
and understand the whole process. Students should always collect certificates 
from university not from the consultancy firm
02 04 06 08
01 03 05 07
Difference of Opinion with the Guide
One of the common problems faced by Ph.D. students is rift with their 
supervisor. Who acts as Boss, Mentor, and Friend, which is challenging to 
maintain. Hence after a while, disagreements surface, and some students 
feel to defer immediately. in opinion.
A supportive network of Ph.D. students around you help you navigate these 
challenges, and familiarity with the faculty helps you canvas more option and 
sort out difference. It is advisable to carefully select the university, as guide 
allocation depends on universities.
02 04 06 08
01 03 05 07
Work-life Balance
Pursuing PhD as a working professional can be a challenging job. 
Managing research work along with classes and examination can at times 
become hectic and students tend to discontinue PhD course midway
Ph.D. Students should always remember to achieve sustainable success; it is 
essential to have a work-life balance. A healthy social life, family time, self-care 
and other activities will be fun and are likely to make you happier. A student 
friendly university should be preferred while pursuing PhD.
02 04 06 08
01 03 05 07
PhD process getting delayed because abstract was not 
accepted
It is a well know phenomenon wherein Ph.D. students start having blues, after 
having an initial high of being a Ph.D. student the morale slumps causing 
them to experience these blues. 
It's best to keep yourself busy with a project and don't overthink if you still feel 
you are not enjoying the work and seek help from mentors, present in a 
conference, try new things to boost your morale. Choosing correct consultancy 
firm can make sure smooth process without delay.
02 04 06 08
01 03 05 07
Thesis not getting accepted for Publication
To achieve success in Ph.D., you need lots of enthusiasm, optimism, and 
dedication. It is a five-year-long project probably longer than we think.
There are highs, and there will times when you feel nothing is going your 
way and that everything you do fails. 
Keep your self motivated by maintaining a work-life balance, take sufficient 
breaks, engaging, and rewarding. Start working on small tasks and completing 
it. Selecting university carefully gives benefit of interaction with professors and 
industry experts, this boosts student’s morale and will be helpful in getting 
diverse perspective.  
02 04 06 08
01 03 05 07
Too many visits to University needed
If Ph.D. Students have a supportive department and mentors, they have a 
schedule and appointed tasks basis no. of hours, grading, lecturing, and 
focusing on what it takes to get done and quickly finishing it in the best 
interest of time. 
One should see their research program as a full-time job. If you want to take a 
sabbatical or break, it has its pros and cons that may be considered that. 
Student should select university which are flexible and give remote access to 
students for viva, presentation etc.
02 04 06 08
01 03 05 07
The panel asks for bribes
One of the major issue faced by students can be bribes asked by 
consultant or panel members. 
If the panel is asking for a bribe, DON'T PAY. escalate the issue to the 
authorities, if required, take external help. Many times higher authorities support 
the candidates and help with another panel from different universities of 
necessary. If this process is not working fine, raise the issue to the HRD. But in 
the entire process, remain calm and poised.