Decision Made: St. Andrews it is!

Well, I have made my decision after some long hours of thought and weighing the issues involved in my particular circumstance with my supervisor. I have really learned a lot from Professor David Brown and he has supported my work and directed it to what he says is going to be a good thesis in the end. All of his PhD candidates are also successful when they go for the viva too! That is, David prepares us for what is ahead and does not put us forward until he is sure we are ready. Therefore, I have agreed to go with my supervisor and just got off the phone with him and he is pleased with my decision and now I am as well.

I also had a conversation with another potential supervisor and that went well but my time with David and our working relationship simply outweighs my desire to get the Durham degree. I have sent off my stuff to the University of St. Andrews today to be enrolled in St. Mary's College and I should be hearing something fairly soon. Once I get the written acceptance I will post that here and then do the formal stuff with Durham. If something happens and this falls through the cracks then Durham is legally bound to see me through so I will get the degree nonetheless. But David assures me that he received a letter from St. Andrews telling him that he can bring me along and there should be no problem in my coming. So, my degree will come about six months later but it will eventually come. In the meantime, I have a lot of work to do to get it ready to go. Thank you for your prayers and much wisdom from those of you who wrote me privately and commented. God Bless!

For all who are wondering and I have been asked, no, I am not physically leaving Durham since I have a curacy responsibility as well. I will do this via electronic mail with visits as needed.