Finding the right supervisor without treading on toes

[marsmat]

Im not sure if I can find a thread that addresses this, and I think it is quite a specific problem, so I would love it if anyone could offer advice.

 

I applied to a program (MS) that has its own selection process where students are nominated to the graduate school of the university, which then makes the final admissions decision. I was nominated by the program (what they call "a crucial first step") and have been asked to work with them to find funding as well as a supervisor.

 

I had kind of already made a decision about which supervisor I wanted and communicated both with him and with one I was even more interested in but who is retiring at the end of this semester. The program is interdisciplinary and broad but I am pretty certain of what I want to end up doing while there, and my proposed area of study is in agricultural production, climate change and genetic material policy.

 

Yesterday I received an email from a member of the faculty that I haven't been in contact with before, expressing interest in supervising me. It was a really nice email but I am pretty certain that his interests and mine do not really overlap, though I have written about the issues he researches while at a previous internship, which I guess is why he got in touch. He is specifically interested in urban food systems while my interest is rural.

 

I dont want to be thrown off course by this and I still have hopes of finding someone that will suit me better. However, I really dont want to jeopardise my chances of getting in to this school (it is my top choice and my husband actually wants to live there which is important, he is leaving his country and career to support me in this) and I certainly dont want to totally reject a potentially great and supportive supervisor. He really seems sound so maybe it IS worth being open to a new field?

 

Does anyone have good ideas about how I can proceed from here?

[bsharpe269]

Have you spoken with your top choice to see whether that outlook seems positive?

[marsmat]

Well, my top choice is retiring. My non-retiring top choice has been in touch back and forward for a while, but I feel like he might not want to commit to having me as a student and that he might have suggested that this other fellow contact me. Is that even likely or am I just being paranoid?

[TakeruK]

It's pretty normal for faculty who are interested in applicants to contact them directly about research with them. It goes both ways too! This also means that sometimes in school visits, you will get scheduled for someone you didn't request--it might be random but it might also be because the prof requested you.

 

In your shoes, I would take the time to contact the prof that expressed interest in you and set up a Skype call if possible. Or, if you are visiting the school, meeting in person would be great. Give everyone a chance and keep an open mind. You might find out the prof has more interests than you thought before, and/or they might be trying to branch out in a new direction.

 

The selection process you mention (nominated by department, requiring approval from the Graduate School) is the standard process and this basically means you are in. It sounds like they do want you to find a supervisor/funding before it is finalized though right? In my experience, what happens is that you will talk to a bunch of profs and in the end, some number of them will be interested in supervising you and you can make a choice. So, right now, it would be best to continue to communicate with both non-retiring profs (and you can also reach out to other profs in the department that might be interesting) and see where those conversations lead. After doing that, you can ask each prof you're interested in directly if they will supervise you and if they say yes, then it's good. If more than one say yes, then you can make a choice. Just be clear when you are asking if they are interested that you are asking if they are interested, and not necessarily implying that you will for certain attend this school (and that you are asking a few people at the same time).

[marsmat]

Thanks so much TakeruK for this really thoughtful answer!

 

It is reassuring to hear that this is the standard procedure and that, if it all goes to plan, I could be admitted to this school. I will just stay open to talking to a few people and stay in touch with them. I cant visit before April but Im sure it will be possible to Skype and make some progress on the supervisor issue.

Edited February 5, 2014 by marsmat