APPLICATION DILLEMMA

[akroor]

Hi,

Im currently a 2nd year graduate student in a Political Science Department. The professor that I came to work with left my University and did not take me along, because he had other students that were already deeply involved with him. Now I am stuck and there arent others in my department who want to take me as their advisee. I would find a way, but I am inclined to get out of here and start somewhere else.

I am planning to apply to another university. I have found a professor that I like, contacted him and he seems to be interested. My problem is basically that I need 3 references for my application to the other place. I feel like I cannot ask any of the professors at my current school, because I dont want them to know that Im thinking of leaving. But the only other options are my professors from Undergrad, which was a long time ago.

Any thoughts on this? When people apply for jobs to another school, but they need recommendations, how do they do it? I cant imagine they ask their boss for a reference for another job. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Ziz]

I'm a bit confused. You said there aren't any other professors at your school that want to take you as their advisee, so why do you think they would be insulted/annoyed if they knew you were applying to other programmes? Surely they would recognize that their school is no longer a good fit for you since the other professor left, and would want to help you find a place that could provide a supervisor.

[acup313]

What about the Professor who left? Would he be willing to write one for you? If there is anyone from your undergrad school that would remember you I would still use them. Also, I would use any of the professors at your current school that you can trust. To answer your final question, I have used current bosses as references for jobs I was trying to obtain numerous times. When the economy is not this bad it is a fairly common practice, depending on the relationship you have with them and the type of job it is.

[eucalyptus]

You're thinking of leaving your PhD program for one of the very few reasons that doesn't have a stigma attached to it. When this same situation happened to me (my supervisor moved to another country - where I don't speak the language - about a year and a half into my PhD), I didn't try to hide it from anyone in my department. It was well-acknowledged to be a totally valid reason to leave; you're supposed to pick a PhD program based on research fit, and I no longer had research fit.

I wouldn't worry about what other profs in your department will think. Especially if you explain your reasons, I'm sure they'll understand why you're leaving. Definitely think about getting a letter from the prof who left, and ask your other profs too.

[akroor]

Hi All,

thank you for your replies. The thing about not letting the other profs know is that I would rather do a phd here than not at all, even if it means i have to modify my research interest slightly. Only if i get into the other program, then I would leave.

I think I will ask my undergrad profs to write my LORs. I also have one from my job, plus I have a publication with one of the frequent lecturers to the program that Im applying to. Thanks again!