prospects?!

[geeree]

Hello,

I am currently working on my Ph. D. thesis in astrophysics at Harish-Chandra Research Institute, India. I expect to finish by April 2010 and have decided to do a second Ph. D. after that --- this time in pure mathematics and in the US. That means that I will be applying by the end of this year.

Could somebody help me gauge what schools to target? I am struggling to objectively estimate my chances at one of the top schools. My unusual circumstance (of applying to math schools with a Ph. D. in astrophysics and formal degrees in physics) is making the process difficult. But having such an estimate will help me in preparation. Discussions with students and professors at some of these departments is only confusing.

My undergraduate and graduate degrees are in physics, but I credited and audited many mathematics courses. I was also involved in quite a few undergrad research projects in pure mathematics. I have been a recipient on the prestigious Young Scientist Fellowship of India. I am currently working on two projects in string theory with an eye on the mathematical treatment to check and display my mathematical abilities. I plan to take the general and subject GRE by November; my recommendation letters will mostly be from string theorists and undergrad mathematics teachers.

Thanks,

Girish.

[frankdux]

all i can tell you is that many schools don't look very positively on students wanting a 2nd PhD (especially if its very soon after getting the first). it makes you look like a perpetual student.

[geeree]

all i can tell you is that many schools don't look very positively on students wanting a 2nd PhD (especially if its very soon after getting the first). it makes you look like a perpetual student.

Thanks for your reply, frankdux; you made an important point. The fact is that it took some time to discover that my real interest was in math, not physics. The decision for a second Ph. D. comes after extensive discussions with teachers, etc. It appears from what you say that I'll have to justify this switch in my statement of purpose (and also hope that my letter writers write something about it). Is there any other way I could avoid schools thinking negatively about my application?

Also, technically speaking, I will not have had my Ph. D. degree while applying. (I expect it by April 2010.) Would it then be more appropriate not to highlight that in my application?

Thanks,

Girish.

[frankdux]

I wouldn't try to hide your 1st PhD.

I would suggest that you do your best to explain how you realized you enjoyed math more through the course of your first PhD. And I'd also recommend being as specific as possible in what kind of math you enjoy. If you can come across as very focused and knowing exactly what you wish to accomplish by obtaining a 2nd PhD, then i think you'll be in decent shape. And I'd also hope that the math you wish to study is related to the math you used in your physics research. If there is a connection there, then it probably looks better on your behalf. If the math you are interested in is unrelated to your physics research, then it might look like your first PhD was very much a waste of your time and your university's time, and so an american university would probably be concerned that you might end up doing the same thing with them and end up wasting their time as well by not actually applying the PhD you would earn from them.

What sort of math are you interested in?

I'll be starting my PhD program in the fall. I'm interested in mathematical physics, and differential geometry & geometrical topology with applications towards relativity and spacetime topology.

[geeree]

Good to know you're doing math too. I am currently working on a project involving mirror symmetry in quantum mechanics. My current mathematical interest centers around algebraic geometry and mirror symmetry. You're probably right, as a selector, I wouldn't take a student unless he has a good reason for a second Ph. D.

Thanks,

Girish.

[noojens]

How different are your future interests from your past research experience?

With a PhD in astrophysics you already have a strong mathematical background. Why not apply for more math-oriented postdocs, spend a few years expanding your mathematical expertise, and make the transition to an applied math department?

I agree that having a PhD will make you less appealing to a lot of PhD programs. Furthermore, it's probably unnecessary for your career goals. Plenty of people retrain in a different field in their postdoc years.