Question about matching research interests with faculty

[rustytrix]

is it even worth applying to schools where your research interests donot closely match those of the faculty members?

[rising_star]

is it even worth applying to schools where your research interests donot closely match those of the faculty members?

Why are you considering applying there?

[rustytrix]

Why are you considering applying there?

because my interests match with faculty in a broad sense... just not specifically what i am doing

[natofone]

I wouldn't waste the application. The committee will recognize that you aren't a good fit.

[rising_star]

because my interests match with faculty in a broad sense... just not specifically what i am doing

You know, it kinda depends. I don't do exactly what my advisor (or anyone else in my dept) does but we are interested in similar things, use the same methodology and theoretical framework, and he really "gets" my topic, even if he's not really that knowledgeable about my region of study or the specifics of my project.

[ipsqq]

In all honesty, by the time you get to your dissertation, you are unlikely to be doing exactly what you think you want to do right now. I would apply based on methodology matches - i.e. if you want to use quant, apply to quant schools. That should be good enough.