Help please! How to not offend professors

[newgrad1234]

I just started grad school at same university that I did my undergrad in.

Over the summer, I had been working with profA and am very glad that he agreed to be my second advisor for next year`s thesis project.

As for the first advisor, profA recommended me to ask profB or profC. I decided to ask both on different days.

ProfB`s answer was something like ``send me an email to arrange a meeting to talk more specifically``.

ProfC`s answer was something like ``I cannot make a decision so early in the program, but will consider you as the first student if no student wants to go overseas with me and if my sabbatical plans fall though``

There is also ProfD who is my current general advisor and who was one of the profs that recommended me into the program. But I have not yet asked.

Questions I would like advice about:

1. Should I email ProfB for a meeting?

2. Would I offend ProfC if I reject her offer now instead of waiting few weeks later to see if she is actually available to be my first advisor?

3. Would ProfD be offended that I have not asked? ProfD and ProfA have totally different interests.

Edited September 13, 2015 by newgrad1234

[rising_star]

 

1. Should I email ProfB for a meeting?

2. Would I offend ProfC if I reject her offer now instead of waiting few weeks later to see if she is actually available to be my first advisor?

3. Would ProfD be offended that I have not asked? ProfD and ProfA have totally different interests.

1) Why wouldn't you email Prof B for a meeting? If you no longer wish to work with them, then send an email saying that your interests have changed. If you do still want to work with them, then try to get the meeting.

2) You might offend ProfC now. But, if you aren't willing to wait to see if she's available, then just say that. But waiting a few weeks probably isn't going to kill you. Also, have you considered talking to Prof C about possibly going overseas with her?

3) You should probably be talking to your general advisor about your interests and who it makes the most sense to work with on your thesis project. If your interests aren't the same as Prof D's, then they won't be surprised that you're looking to do your thesis work with other people.

[newgrad1234]

Thank you so much for your support