Talking to multiple POIs

[tragicomix]

Before I decided to apply I had e-mailed a professor at a certain university. The professor replied telling me that he'd take a look at my application and also that he couldn't say anything more.

I've been accepted by this university and I am seriously considering going. However, I'm now thinking that I'd rather work a different professor at that university. I hadn't contacted this professor, but I did mention mention him and his research in my statement. Both professors work in the same area, but have slightly different specializations.

I'm now wondering if it would be considered bad form to talk to the second professor now and ask him if he'd consider advising me. Would this be considered unprofessional behavior?

[neuropsych76]

Before I decided to apply I had e-mailed a professor at a certain university. The professor replied telling me that he'd take a look at my application and also that he couldn't say anything more.

I've been accepted by this university and I am seriously considering going. However, I'm now thinking that I'd rather work a different professor at that university. I hadn't contacted this professor, but I did mention mention him and his research in my statement. Both professors work in the same area, but have slightly different specializations.

I'm now wondering if it would be considered bad form to talk to the second professor now and ask him if he'd consider advising me. Would this be considered unprofessional behavior?

I think since you mentioned both professors in your personal statement its fair game to ask about who would you be working with. Besides, neither professor confirmed you'd be working with them for sure right? You could also bring up being co-advised or having prof A or B on your thesis committee.

[tragicomix]

Besides, neither professor confirmed you'd be working with them for sure right?

Right, the professor didn't commit to anything.

Thanks, neuropsych76. What you're sayings make sense to me.

[newms]

I don't think it's bad form to be talking with other profs. Does your school require you to choose an advisor right away? At the schools I've been admitted to, I don't have to choose an advisor right away, but could work with various profs during my first year before I have to choose (although I have a pretty good idea who I'd want to choose). Perhaps you could verify how you go about choosing an advisor at your school. The other consideration might be who is funding you (if you're funded). If you're funded as an RA, then you'd likely have to work with the prof whose funding is supporting you. But as I said, find out what's the procedure for choosing an advisor at your school. Good luck.

[tragicomix]

If you're funded as an RA, then you'd likely have to work with the prof whose funding is supporting you.

Somewhat luckily, I've been funded with a TA at this particular school so this is not a problem. I do agree, this would have been a bit messy if I'd been offered a RA.

At the schools I've been admitted to, I don't have to choose an advisor right away, but could work with various profs during my first year before I have to choose

I think this is the case in this school as well. However, who I'll get a chance to work with will influence whether I want to go to this school, or choose another where I know for sure who I'll be working with. This is why I want to contact a few professors now and get an idea of who is likely to want to advise me.

choose (although I have a pretty good idea who I'd want to choose).

I do have an idea of who I want to choose at each university. But the problem I'm worried about is what if I end up at University 1 and don't get professor A and then realize that in retrospect it would have been better to go to University 2 to work with Prof. B.