arrantlybenighted

Thanks for all the replies, and sorry for my own late response. I get what you guys mean, for sure. I do actually have research experience in my field, which isn't the normal case in the humanities, and was simply vacillating on whether to go on to Honours for its extra year (i.e., on top of however many years to come). I do say 'was', because I know it was a bit of a capricious uncertainty than anything else. I likely will. It's definitely not reluctance to do a year of research, but rather the opposite; my projects are somewhat larger than a one-year thesis. Either way, I should add more importantly that, yes, applications are due in around October to December, but as I mentioned, I do finish my undergraduate around June, and so my Honours year grade wouldn't be ready by then if I were to start it in August. It's nice nonetheless to have perspectives as to how much it counts, so thanks!

Sorry to equivocate a bit, but I'll have to keep some personal details out. I'm almost done with my undergraduate studies (humanities) at a university in the Australia/NZ region, and am wondering if anyone from Australia or New Zealand has successfully applied for a PhD program at a top-tier American or British university without doing an Honours year (i.e. 4th year coursework/thesis)? I'm thinking of applying at the end of my third year and plan on using an interim GPA as I'll be finishing mid-year. Any ideas on whether this will detract from my application? (Either using the interim marks or not having Honours; but even if I were to do Honours, I wouldn't be able to submit my final grade due to midyear commencement.) Thanks!