Hi guys!
So I am currently a first year in a PhD program straight from a Bachelors degree. I added on the MS option a couple of weeks ago so I could get my MS then my PhD.
I met with my adviser to talk to him about potential master's thesis topics. A few things concerned me. First of all he completely was against all my ideas! These are good ideas too, but apparently not in the scope of the program. I don't want to give away too many details but the research I would like to do is in a similar field but the research I am currently doing for my Research assistantship deals with a very specific research focus which I am not interested in pursuing at all! He wants me to do my thesis on something related to my RA. I told him I would rather do something related to my interests, and he questioned me about if I had mentioned this when we interviewed. Just so you know, I did AND I looked at the personal statement I sent to the program and it said very explicitly my research interests were in this. So his options were for me to work entirely with a different university, like request using their data, or doing something completely out of line of my interests!
Just so you know I do really like the program and the people here. I am very unhappy at the location and had been planning to just stop going here once I get my MS. I had thought I would be able to pursue a thesis with my research interest since he had told me on the interview that this could occur but apparently that is not the case. I also don't want to spend the next year and summer doing a thesis that has nothing to do with what I want to do research in or designing a product that I do not have the appropriate skills for.
Also what bothered me is my advisor did not even remember I was a PhD. student, he thought I was a MS and to make matters worse at the end of the conversation, he implied I talked unprofessionally. I do talk professionally and am open to critiques but honestly I felt very nervous after he told me my options or lack of options. Now I want to transfer. Why waste their funding, my time, etc. on doing something completely unrelated to my interests. Considering I am a first year I do know I can get a letter or two from undergrad again, and also there are two professors at this university who really like me and have done some research with me who I think would be willing to write me a recommendation letter.
I just don't know what to do? I've read some posts and it seems like people tend to tell people to NOT transfer and just stick it out.