needhelpsos

Hello gradcafe netizens, I recently received news that my revised thesis was not recommended to proceed to oral defense--essentially I failed. As this was the second reading by the reviewers, as per regulations, I am withdrawn from the program. My current two options are to give up and accept the fact that my thesis sucked or appeal the process and fight for my degree. I recognize, in retrospect, that my first submission was utter garbage. Therefore, I made substantial changes in my revised version. However, one reviewer commented that the resubmitted version was even worse than the first version. I don't want to lay blame on anyone else but myself for the apparently poor quality thesis, but I honestly feel that I adequately addressed the concerns raised by the reviewers the first time around. In fact, if I do decide to appeal, I will be rebutting the issues raised by the reviewers in depth (many of the comments I do not think are substantiated). The situation is more complicated than I presented above, but I do not wish to provide more details for the sake of anonymity. However, I am in need of advice on how to proceed. Should I give up or should I fight? If I go with the latter, what is the best way to proceed? In addition to my appeal letter addressing all of the reviewers' comments, do I also make a request for a third opinion? (the review committee consists of 2 members) Even if I win the appeal and proceed to oral defense, what then? Would I expect hostility from the examiners and expect them to shoot me down and fail the oral defense no matter what? (They would be the same as the reviewers) Has anyone dealt with similar situations? Feel free to PM me. Sigh, I don't know what to do or who to talk to. I doubt I will receive helpful advice regarding this matter if I seek my supervisor. Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the help.