...they had to weed.
I remember preparing for my confirmation of candidature. I remember the sheer terror, that when you come into the room after the panel has convened, they'll tell you that you're not up to scratch. It doesn't matter that most students do get confirmed. You're always thinking you'll be the one who doesn't.
I remembered this today, sitting on the panel for another student, as the panel chair calmly informed her that she would not be confirmed.
The panel chair explained it to her, explained why, explained that the panel would re-convene in a few months and make a second decision, based on any further progress she had made. But looking at her face, I knew she hadn't heard a word after he had stated the panel's decision.
Confirmation of candidature happens after the student's first year. It's an assessment of whether a student appears to be able to handle another two or three years of a PhD course. Stopping someone from wasting a lot of effort on something they can't handle is a kindness, really. And if the title of Doctor is to mean something, it can only go to those who deserve it.
Not that it makes dropping the axe any easier.
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