I feel you bro. I've been there and done that. The thing is is that they are completely happy losing out on seeing the few candidates that are mixed in among the whole pool of non-PhDs (who are 85%+ posers) when they can select among the PhDs (who are 85%+ legit). It's a simple risk aversion tactic among companies and has nada to do with you personally. Like the man says, "nothin' personal, it's just business".