natfilm Posted October 30, 2013 Posted October 30, 2013 A while ago I showed my research advisor/prof. a list of schools I'm applying to and they said that they know one of the profs there. So I thought it would be good to make a connection at that school. My research advisor wrote an email to this prof. that he has worked with, recommending me to the program etc. and now that prof. has wrote back writing that they will be taking a student and that I should send him my research interests etc. to see if I will be a match for his lab, only...I'm less interested in his work and more interested in working with another faculty member. How should I go about this? Will I totally kill my chances if I mention that I actually want to work with someone else? Should I fain having interest in his lab? Or at least mention some interest but mention that I my work aligns with more with someone else? How to do this in a diplomatic way? I feel stupid that I asked for this connection now and worried that it will badly reflect on me in some way...
natfilm Posted October 30, 2013 Author Posted October 30, 2013 Thanks PsychGirl! i though about that only my advisor is not so familiar with the application process to programs in the US and was even not sure how to make the connection with this other professor...
PsychGirl1 Posted October 31, 2013 Posted October 31, 2013 Then I would just be honest with the prof- tell him his research looks interesting but you're actually hoping to work with Dr. XX and maybe think of some questions to ask him about the program or whatever.
TakeruK Posted October 31, 2013 Posted October 31, 2013 I agree -- make connections with both profs! No one expects an applicant to commit to any one single POI at this point. They don't even expect to you to only talk to one single school! In most cases, at some point during this exchange, the prof will probably even encourage you to talk to their colleagues. If they like you, they would still rather you go to their school with another prof than a completely different school.
natfilm Posted October 31, 2013 Author Posted October 31, 2013 You guys (and girls!) are amazing! Decided to make the connection anyway - its not everyday that you get a direct connection like this.
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