ekn Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Just got an email from my potential supervisor informing me of a change of plans. Due to family issues, he has decided to retire and will not be able to supervise me. Should I take this as a rejection? I've written back expressing sympathy with his situation and also asked if he would recommend someone else to supervise me. The department still hasn't officially rejected my application, though, so I'm just wondering whether this is a strong indication that I can forget about getting an offer? Would it be any help if I started writing to other faculty members? Would that be taken as an insincere approach (given that I never wrote them before)? P/S: It feels so inappropriate to feel dejected because of the difficult situation he's facing. But still... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ringo2009 Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Just got an email from my potential supervisor informing me of a change of plans. Due to family issues, he has decided to retire and will not be able to supervise me. Should I take this as a rejection? I've written back expressing sympathy with his situation and also asked if he would recommend someone else to supervise me. The department still hasn't officially rejected my application, though, so I'm just wondering whether this is a strong indication that I can forget about getting an offer? Would it be any help if I started writing to other faculty members? Would that be taken as an insincere approach (given that I never wrote them before)? P/S: It feels so inappropriate to feel dejected because of the difficult situation he's facing. But still... Well I would ask him for clarification if he had any insight on your final admissions decision, as you had not yet received anything official from the department. If he says your in, then I hope you were not going to this program just to work for him and that you have others whose research interest are in line with yours? If so, perhaps this is something you could discuss with the other potential POIs during the admit weekend, assuming it hasnt already passed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekn Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 Well I would ask him for clarification if he had any insight on your final admissions decision, as you had not yet received anything official from the department. If he says your in, then I hope you were not going to this program just to work for him and that you have others whose research interest are in line with yours? If so, perhaps this is something you could discuss with the other potential POIs during the admit weekend, assuming it hasnt already passed. Thank you, Ringo, for writing back so fast. My POI has written back also, saying that I would have gotten an offer but will most likely get declined now, given his situation. Reasons: (1) He is the only person who works clearly in my area. (2) Faculty members have to take out $5000 from their research funds for each of the four years for an international student like me. He says he was prepared to do that for me but doubts anyone else in the dept would, considering reason (1) and that they would rather spend the money on someone with a better fit. I can only hope I get offered a place in my only other application. Good luck with the rest of you, nonetheless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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