PhD admissions: supervisor from another department

[History_Student]

Hi,

What should I do if I want to apply for a certain department (e.g. history) but would like to work with a supervisor from another department (e.g. philosophy)?

Would an admissions committee approve of such a candidate? What would be the chances of success without the support of a potential supervisor affiliated with the department?

Thanks!

[Sigaba]

15 hours ago, History_Student said:

Hi,

What should I do if I want to apply for a certain department (e.g. history) but would like to work with a supervisor from another department (e.g. philosophy)?

Would an admissions committee approve of such a candidate? What would be the chances of success without the support of a potential supervisor affiliated with the department?

Thanks!

Unless the professor of philosophy wears dual hats and/or holds an endowed chair of More Awesome Than Sliced Bread, the scenario you propose is unlikely. 

It's more likely that a history department will approve of a professor of philosophy serving as the outside member of your qualifying and dissertation committees. In this scenario, she will supervise the work you do in the philosophy department, participate in your qualifying exams, and provide a level of guidance when it's time to write your dissertation.