Unsure about accepted PhD offer

[nayrita]

Hi everyone,

I am in a very confused state. I have accepted a funded PhD offer in CS for Fall 2020 after debating a lot between 3 offers. I am quite ashamed to admit this, but I am not quite sure about my research interest yet. I chose this offer as a safe choice, but the professor here is the only professor in my area of interest. Moreover, she is working on a domain closely related to my domain of interest currently, and I chose this offer thinking that maybe with time I will like it and she will get flexible. But I don't know why I am being very repulsed by this research domain and can seem to picture myself having a career on it. Everyone is suggesting that I should go with this, since assistantships for international students may get very limited in next year for COVID19. I have also received suggestions that I can get a terminal MS/switch schools if situation gets worse. But I have read that such options are not always possible, particularly if the professor is involved in research from the start.

I am in great mental unrest and don't know if I should decline the offer or not. I don't think I am ready for a 6yr long commitement under these constraints. But it is late May and it would be unethical as well to decline this late, but I don't know what to do. Any suggestions??

[cafueles]

Hi there!

 

I understand your doubts, since I've experienced something similar myself. I wanted to reassure you that most universities in the US will allow you to get a MS degree by choosing your courses with that objective in mind and getting the required credits. Also, don't underestimate your ability to negotiate with your advisor and take classes that will result interesting for you. A researcher may have a broad spectrum of projects to work on and you can choose the parts most suited to you.