I applied to a Ph.D entomology program at U Minnesota in a pretty standard way- decided which prof I wanted as an adviser, contacted them asking if they were accepting students, then applied after I was told they were looking for a student.
I was told that my application was good, and was flown out for a prospective student day, and talked with multiple profs within the department, including the one I had first talked to. They said that they didn't have funding for the project I was interested in, but didn't make a big deal out of it, and I was told I was eligible for grad fellowships. I also talked with a newly hired prof, who seemed interested in me, and told the department head I'd be interested in working with both the person I was initially interested in and the newly hired person.
Skip to April 15th, I don't hear back, send an email to the director of grad studies asking when I would hear back. He says that the professor I contacted initially doesn't have the funding for a student, and that I needed to find a new adviser to be accepted into the program. He mentioned that they hired my old P.I, and that I should ask him to be my adviser. However, it seem that I've been accepted, but cannot attend without an adviser. I feel like I'm in Limbo.
I contacted my P.I, who couldn't give me any answer since he's very busy and was only hired about a week ago. I asked the grad adviser if the newly hired prof, as well as another prof from the department with similar research interests needed students, and he responded that no one in the department needed a student!
I have never heard of this happening to anyone and am very confused. I don't know why I was encouraged to apply and given so much positive attention without anyone telling me how uncertain the funding was. No one made an issue of it, and when I was at the prospective students day, they treated me like I was already set.
Has this happened to anyone? Should I even attend this school, if by some luck I can secure an adviser?