MSmath

Some advice I got back in the day, while working on my Masters in math, is that the advisors primary job is to pick the problem that you'll work on for the dissertation. Now math problems aren't soc, so not sure how this applies across disciplines. I didn't bother to go back for the Phd, but if we think about the Phd as training to do research, then the topic is less important than the process. If I ever do go back, I recognize that the culture in the department, the demeanor of the advisors, and, compatibility with an advisor in the department are all at least as important as the topic of research. If your interests are varied because you genuinely are interested in the way the world works, then no big deal, just focus where your advisor says to focus. If your interests are varied because you get bored easily, then you could be on the ten year program...