Already committed to a lab?

[texass]

Hi,

I have been accepted in a grad school for PhD in engineering already.

However, the type of funding I have received sort of requires me to work in a specific lab. This is fine with me (I think) since the research is interesting and the prof is a pretty nice person.

But, I am worried that IF I end up being apathetic towards a particular research project, aren't I a bit screwed? And, I can't just leave after a MS since that's looked down upon a bit.

Essentially, I am wondering if my decision to accept their offer will be too risky for a five year investment?

Any thoughts might help in making my decision. Thanks!

[ealkjhljha]

Is there more than one possible lab that you could be interested in? Always nice to have options... I was told at my interview in Utah that 30% of students switch labs and it is completely acceptable, moreso if it is done in the first or second year.

[liszt85]

Hi,

I have been accepted in a grad school for PhD in engineering already.

However, the type of funding I have received sort of requires me to work in a specific lab. This is fine with me (I think) since the research is interesting and the prof is a pretty nice person.

But, I am worried that IF I end up being apathetic towards a particular research project, aren't I a bit screwed? And, I can't just leave after a MS since that's looked down upon a bit.

Essentially, I am wondering if my decision to accept their offer will be too risky for a five year investment?

Any thoughts might help in making my decision. Thanks!

I was in a similar position but the thing is, your work will be more useful if it counts towards the background you need to build towards your thesis. So they might expect you to do your dissertation in a similar topic. This is what one of my schools told me since my funding for the summers came from the research grant of a professor. That professor told me that he would be willing to support my summers only if my dissertation was written in his field.