Failed master's thesis... what to do? :(

[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 As this was the second reading by the reviewers, as per regulations, I am withdrawn from the program.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.

[caizlurol]

I'm sorry to hear about this. If I were you, I'd appeal it, first. If it doesn't work out, then is there any way that you can transfer to another university and try again? Most of your credits should transfer over. You may have to take a few classes to get residency but then you can use your experiences to write an even better thesis.

Good luck! Please let us know the outcome.

Edited July 30, 2010 by caizlurol

[coyabean]

I don't have anything to offer, unfortunately, except commiseration and a suggestion that you also share this over at gradstudents comm on livejournal. You might get more feedback from current students. Best of luck to you.

Edited July 31, 2010 by coyabean

[Eigen]

I'd also recommend asking over at the PhD comics forum... Mostly grad students and faculty there, more suggestions for how to deal with it.

Additionally, I'd talk to your adviser.

Are they one of the ones that thinks it's horrible? See what their take is on how to proceed from here.

[Postbib Yeshuist]

Consider it this way: if you DON'T appeal, you've essentially wasted your entire Masters career. Few employers will care that you "almost" got your Masters, and any chance of continuing education is mostly over. So effectively, if your appeal is overturned, you're in no worse shape than you are now.

As for hostility, sounds like you already have it, so how could it get worse? Have an honest, heart-to-heart, hold-no-punches discussion with your advisor (the advisor is the one holding no punches, not you, by the way). See what they say. See if a third reviewer is possible.

In the end, it's your Masters and it sucks that you're in the position. Just ask yourself how NOT fighting will make things any better, and I think you'll pretty come to the conclusion you need to appeal...

[rachaelski]

Wow, my defense process was a bitter different than yours! I worked primarily with my advisor during my coursework and initial writing time....then I presented my committee with a draft copy, they read it and provided feedback during my oral defense. After my oral defense, I completed the suggested revisions, and was granted the degree....

I would definitely fight it. It can be very hard to make everyone on a committee happy (especially when at least 1 person on your committee is chosen for political reasons, i.e. director of the program, person researching same topic/area as you).

Let us know how it works out. Sorry that you are in such a crummy situation!