Same research, two very different programs: Is there a way to spin this?

[Shake]

So I applied to two different programs at one university. Though not exactly right let's say one is Engineering and the other in Natural Resources or Environmental Sciences. I have already been admitted to the Engineering program and had an interview with my POI post admittance. They

told me they were interviewing more students and that they will let me know in a "few weeks" (torture!).

In the mean time I was contacted by one of the proffesors mentioned in my SOP for the other program (NR/ES). She wanted to know if I would be interested in working on a project for which I would be a perfect fit according to her needs (not so much mine). She stressed the fact that I would be focusing on the social sciences aspect of the research and that I would not be taking courses on what I stated I was intested on, but mostly courses from the social sciences department.

It turns out the project I would be working on if funded by the Engineering department is exactly the same project, although I would be working on more 'technical' aspects.

 

So the POI from the NR/ES dept. told me to think long and hard if I would really be interested in following that path as it is a clear variation from the one that I ntended to follow. Then I have to let her know my decission this week. 

 

So, obviously, I am definitely more interested in enrolling in the Engineering program and in their aspect of the research project BUT,  I would rather join the other program than be left with nothing. I mean: Is there any possible way in which I can word "I'll rather work with prof X and do the engineering gig but If I don't get funding from them and you offer me funding I'll suck it up and work with you" and not sound like a jerk?

 

There are aspects of the social sciences approach that are also appealing to me but I feel I will be more bored and will miss the technical parts. I also feel I will have more career opportunities with a degree in engineering but that may be completely wrong.

 

Thoughts?

 

 

Thanks for 'listening'

 

 

[geographyrocks]

I think it really depends on what you want to do with your career.  A "social sciences" degree may not set you up to work on the things you want to work on in the future although NS/ES is not always on the social side of things.  I know I've tried as hard as possible to stay on the physical sciences side of ES because that work appeals to me more than the policy side of ES.  Maybe you should send her an email that outlines your concerns.  It's your future so you definitely have the right to be choosey. 

[juilletmercredi]

Do not commit to working on a program that you are less than interested in.  I'm curious about the idea that you would rather attend a program and do a project that you are not excite about/does not align with your interests than not being a PhD program at all. IMO, it should be the opposite - a PhD program is a means to an end, and it's hard enough to study for 6 years if you are studying something about which you are not enthusiastic.  If you think you will be bored, please do NOT go.

Also, be wary about doing what PIs want you to do because it will suit their needs, but not yours.  A PhD program is supposed to be mutually beneficial.  The PI gets a research assistant who writes papers with them and does work with them, but YOU need to do research that will help you achieve your goals and get training in what you want to do. If your future research will require technical skills or you want your "brand" to be the technical research, don't join this project.

In any case, you shouldn't have to give your PoI a decision this week - if their department is part of the Council of Graduate Schools agreement, they're supposed to give you until April 15 to decide.  I would politely contact the PI and tell her that you are happy to hear about this project but that you're still waiting to hear back from other schools and that you'd like/need more time to decide.

 

If they try to pressure you into deciding in just a week where you want to study for the next 6 years, especially without having a full complement of information, I would be wary about attending that department anyway.

[Shake]

First of all, many thanks for your replies.

 

@juilletmercredi: LOL. I totally understand and agree with what you say about not doing a PhD if you are not the least interested in the subject. But as you also say, it is a means to an end. This can mean many things depending on personal situations. If, for instance, you come from a very poor country with next to zero possibilities of professional development it may be the means to a better future even if it is not 100% what you would have loved to do. It is not my case but I hope you understand what I mean. There are many different factors and very different personal situations when making decisions.

On the other hand, and I probably didn't make this clear enough, the other professor’s research is also interesting and the research is so interdisciplinary that I could always benefit from working with her. That's why, even though I prefer working with the Engineering team I would hate to be left out with nothing,  as the project would still be relevant to my  interests.

The 'having-to-reply' in a week was because it was an unusual situation. I truly think she was being sensitive to my needs and she approached me like 'you are perfect for my needs but I understand that this might not be what you want to do. I don't want to mislead you, so you need to understand what this would mean. Are you sure you would be interested in this?".  I am not even admitted to that program. She could have admitted me and totally mislead me until I was there and she didn't, so I feel like she deserves some credit for that. I feel that the 'week' thing was more like 'before I move on to admitting you, I need to know if you are interested at all"

In any case, I already told her that upon reflection I though it wasn't a good fit but thanks for her consideration, maybe we can collaborate somehow because we would be involved in the same project, etc.

 

But again, thank you VERY much for your opinions. You are all great help!