Applying to two different grad units, same school

[missmastnak]

Hello,

Does anyone have any advice for applying to two different graduate units (Immunology and Medical Biophysics) at the same school: can I use the same Personal Statement except for changing the specific details about the grad unit (i.e. specializations I am interested in, etc.)? The reason I ask, is I am applying to both in hopes of being able to work with a supervisor whose research falls into both grad units. My goals and inspirations are the exact same for both applications, so I don't feel I will be able to make much difference between the two.

Thanks so much for your help, this forum is such a great idea!

[grazzle]

I really think you need to pick a program. Your POI might think you aren't sure what you want to do if you can't decide between immunology and medical biophysics. Even if you would do something incorporating both disciplines, you should pick one and stick with it at this school. I don't think two applications will improve your chances. Other people might disagree, though.

[surefire]

Hello,

Does anyone have any advice for applying to two different graduate units (Immunology and Medical Biophysics) at the same school: can I use the same Personal Statement except for changing the specific details about the grad unit (i.e. specializations I am interested in, etc.)? The reason I ask, is I am applying to both in hopes of being able to work with a supervisor whose research falls into both grad units. My goals and inspirations are the exact same for both applications, so I don't feel I will be able to make much difference between the two.

Thanks so much for your help, this forum is such a great idea!

I did the two grad unit thing for 2 different schools (that is, 4 applications total, 2 to a school). I had favourable results, but I'm in a pretty different discipline, so I'd definitely inquire with some peers. I would suggest not only changing the specific details, but be sure to speak to the resources that are unique to each unit that you would look forward to utilizing.

My MAJOR concern for you is the reliance on ONE supervisor who conducts research in both. You need to touch base with that person, because even if they're cross-appointed, they may only be willing/able to supervise you in one unit and not the other. My supervisor is cross-appointed, and I was excited to apply to both departments that she was involved in. When I spoke with her, she said that she was willing to supervise me in x department, but not in y. There wasn't really any way to discern this without talking to her, sometimes there are just loyalties and funding and alliances and politics that fetter someone's capacity to commit. On paper, she was involved and funded by department y and eligible to supervise, but in reality, she just wasn't going to do so and, even though this was common knowledge amongst departmental faculties, a prospective applicant wouldn't know without talking to her. This had a huge impact on the department that I chose and, man, if I had sent in two near identical apps with her name on both of them, I might have come off an a someone who hadn't cared enough to do her homework.

Just saying. I had a really honest approach with everyone that I spoke with. Units that work closely together/share faculty TALK to each other, so I let everyone know what my intentions were regarding applications to different unit/same school. You might be surprised how encouraging and open everyone is; you need to go the unit that will best serve your research, and good conversations with good faculty will be able to talk openly about that type of stuff, that is, "your research sounds interesting but I think you'd have a better chance of getting what you need in unit x".

Good luck!

[emmm]

I applied to more programs than that at one school, because I could not move out of town. It was fine. The units all operated individually, even when they shared some faculty. No one seemed to think there was anything wrong with my approach, and before I had settled on which programs to apply to, I was given suggestions for additional programs in the same school to consider.

[ktel]

I applied to two different engineering departments at one school. Was upfront about all my applications, which was good. Was a bit awkward when one of the profs I turned down phoned my current supervisor to congratulate him on getting me. I could have sworn I told my supervisor where I was applying but I think he had forgotten and was kind of taken aback by the phone call.

[TakeruK]

I applied to Planetary Sciences as well as Astronomy programs last year since my interest lies in between both. I second the advice to talk to the faculty members you're interested in -- they helped me decide where to submit my application. In the end, I did not apply to two different departments in the same school because at places where there were both departments, they told me that applications are shared between related departments (so I might apply to Astronomy but get accepted into Earth & Planetary Sciences). In addition, since the people I wanted to work with were in between both fields, most of them have cross-appointments and most of the schools will allow students in Department X to work with people in related Department Y. The advice they gave me was to look at the academic requirements for each department (orals, course requirements etc.) and pick the set that I was more interested in. Also, since the two departments are in different buildings, if all the cross appointed profs actually spent their time in Department X's building, I might want to factor that into my decision too!

Basically, the advice I have to give is to talk to the profs!!