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Is it ok if I haven't decided my research topic when I first meet with a potential phd advisor?
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I'm currently in my last semester as a master student and planning to apply for phd degree. I'm going to have a first meeting with my potential phd adviser in a few days and I'm really nervous. All I know is I'm confident about what I've studied and I'm prepared to do the phd study both mentally and physically.
I'm wondering what is the expectation for a professor to accept phd student in general? I've read several research paper of his. However, I only have a general idea about my future research but not a specific topic. Is that ok? What is a decent way to respond when the professor asks about that? What kind of question will usually be asked by the professor during the first meeting. And what kind of question should I ask?
Tips, suggestions, or past experience are all appreciated! Thank you!
update:
The field I'm studying is applied math and I'll doing my phd study in the US.
phd
asked 8 hours ago
Yibei HeYibei He
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I'm currently in my last semester as a master student and planning to apply for phd degree. I'm going to have a first meeting with my potential phd adviser in a few days and I'm really nervous. All I know is I'm confident about what I've studied and I'm prepared to do the phd study both mentally and physically.
I'm wondering what is the expectation for a professor to accept phd student in general? I've read several research paper of his. However, I only have a general idea about my future research but not a specific topic. Is that ok? What is a decent way to respond when the professor asks about that? What kind of question will usually be asked by the professor during the first meeting. And what kind of question should I ask?
Tips, suggestions, or past experience are all appreciated! Thank you!
update:
The field I'm studying is applied math and I'll doing my phd study in the US.
phd
asked 8 hours ago
Yibei HeYibei He
1213 bronze badges
New contributor
Yibei He is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
What field is this?
– Kevin Miller
8 hours ago
2
It would be useful if you included what country you are speaking of here. In the UK, because a PhD only lasts 3 to 4 years, you are expected to apply with your research proposal and, essentially, begin working on in on day one (though it will likely develop and change). In other places, where PhDs take longer, it is possible and even normal to begin your PhD without a clear topic.
– GrotesqueSI
8 hours ago
add a comment
|
I'm currently in my last semester as a master student and planning to apply for phd degree. I'm going to have a first meeting with my potential phd adviser in a few days and I'm really nervous. All I know is I'm confident about what I've studied and I'm prepared to do the phd study both mentally and physically.
I'm wondering what is the expectation for a professor to accept phd student in general? I've read several research paper of his. However, I only have a general idea about my future research but not a specific topic. Is that ok? What is a decent way to respond when the professor asks about that? What kind of question will usually be asked by the professor during the first meeting. And what kind of question should I ask?
Tips, suggestions, or past experience are all appreciated! Thank you!
update:
The field I'm studying is applied math and I'll doing my phd study in the US.
phd
asked 8 hours ago
Yibei HeYibei He
1213 bronze badges
New contributor
Yibei He is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I'm currently in my last semester as a master student and planning to apply for phd degree. I'm going to have a first meeting with my potential phd adviser in a few days and I'm really nervous. All I know is I'm confident about what I've studied and I'm prepared to do the phd study both mentally and physically.
I'm wondering what is the expectation for a professor to accept phd student in general? I've read several research paper of his. However, I only have a general idea about my future research but not a specific topic. Is that ok? What is a decent way to respond when the professor asks about that? What kind of question will usually be asked by the professor during the first meeting. And what kind of question should I ask?
Tips, suggestions, or past experience are all appreciated! Thank you!
update:
The field I'm studying is applied math and I'll doing my phd study in the US.
phd
phd
asked 8 hours ago
Yibei HeYibei He
1213 bronze badges
New contributor
Yibei He is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 8 hours ago
Yibei HeYibei He
1213 bronze badges
New contributor
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edited 8 hours ago
Yibei He
asked 8 hours ago
Yibei HeYibei He
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asked 8 hours ago
Yibei HeYibei He
1213 bronze badges
asked 8 hours ago
Yibei HeYibei He
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1
What field is this?
– Kevin Miller
8 hours ago
2
It would be useful if you included what country you are speaking of here. In the UK, because a PhD only lasts 3 to 4 years, you are expected to apply with your research proposal and, essentially, begin working on in on day one (though it will likely develop and change). In other places, where PhDs take longer, it is possible and even normal to begin your PhD without a clear topic.
– GrotesqueSI
8 hours ago
add a comment
|
1
What field is this?
– Kevin Miller
8 hours ago
2
It would be useful if you included what country you are speaking of here. In the UK, because a PhD only lasts 3 to 4 years, you are expected to apply with your research proposal and, essentially, begin working on in on day one (though it will likely develop and change). In other places, where PhDs take longer, it is possible and even normal to begin your PhD without a clear topic.
– GrotesqueSI
8 hours ago
1
1
What field is this?
– Kevin Miller
8 hours ago
What field is this?
– Kevin Miller
8 hours ago
2
2
It would be useful if you included what country you are speaking of here. In the UK, because a PhD only lasts 3 to 4 years, you are expected to apply with your research proposal and, essentially, begin working on in on day one (though it will likely develop and change). In other places, where PhDs take longer, it is possible and even normal to begin your PhD without a clear topic.
– GrotesqueSI
8 hours ago
It would be useful if you included what country you are speaking of here. In the UK, because a PhD only lasts 3 to 4 years, you are expected to apply with your research proposal and, essentially, begin working on in on day one (though it will likely develop and change). In other places, where PhDs take longer, it is possible and even normal to begin your PhD without a clear topic.
– GrotesqueSI
8 hours ago
add a comment
|
3 Answers
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In most fields in the US, coming to a potential advisor with a proposal isn't necessary. But with an MS, you should have the area you want to study narrowed quite a bit. I don't know specifically about how it works in applied math, but in theoretical math, you generally work out the project details with your advisor given some common interest.
The advisor, if interested in what you are doing can then be more than just someone who looks over you shoulder as you carry on by yourself and can become something of a collaborator. If you are too tightly focused when you first meet, you might hear: "Interesting, but not to me."
But if you want to work at the intersection of, say, analysis and health science, but without anything more specific, then you have a chance to find some common ground with an advisor. The field should be something that you already know about (since you have an MS) and that the potential advisor has previously worked in or has expressed interest in.
If you were a BS graduate instead, very little is actually required (in the US) and you have time to work together with potential advisors in a more general way to develop some common ground for a research problem.
For specifics, just say where you are (intellectually), and what your general interests are. Be prepared to answer about what you have done, and what you have considered.
For completeness, outside the US the answer might be quite different.
answered 7 hours ago
BuffyBuffy
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I would say it is always better to have at least an idea or an outline of a project by your first interview.
answered 8 hours ago
Philosopher of sciencePhilosopher of science
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Since you've read the guy's papers, can't you write down a few ideas for extension of the work or to take it in new directions? If you contribute that, you can have a meaningful discussion and also show off the prep.
answered 30 mins ago
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3 Answers
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
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active
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votes
In most fields in the US, coming to a potential advisor with a proposal isn't necessary. But with an MS, you should have the area you want to study narrowed quite a bit. I don't know specifically about how it works in applied math, but in theoretical math, you generally work out the project details with your advisor given some common interest.
The advisor, if interested in what you are doing can then be more than just someone who looks over you shoulder as you carry on by yourself and can become something of a collaborator. If you are too tightly focused when you first meet, you might hear: "Interesting, but not to me."
But if you want to work at the intersection of, say, analysis and health science, but without anything more specific, then you have a chance to find some common ground with an advisor. The field should be something that you already know about (since you have an MS) and that the potential advisor has previously worked in or has expressed interest in.
If you were a BS graduate instead, very little is actually required (in the US) and you have time to work together with potential advisors in a more general way to develop some common ground for a research problem.
For specifics, just say where you are (intellectually), and what your general interests are. Be prepared to answer about what you have done, and what you have considered.
For completeness, outside the US the answer might be quite different.
answered 7 hours ago
BuffyBuffy
84.5k21 gold badges255 silver badges369 bronze badges
add a comment
|
In most fields in the US, coming to a potential advisor with a proposal isn't necessary. But with an MS, you should have the area you want to study narrowed quite a bit. I don't know specifically about how it works in applied math, but in theoretical math, you generally work out the project details with your advisor given some common interest.
The advisor, if interested in what you are doing can then be more than just someone who looks over you shoulder as you carry on by yourself and can become something of a collaborator. If you are too tightly focused when you first meet, you might hear: "Interesting, but not to me."
But if you want to work at the intersection of, say, analysis and health science, but without anything more specific, then you have a chance to find some common ground with an advisor. The field should be something that you already know about (since you have an MS) and that the potential advisor has previously worked in or has expressed interest in.
If you were a BS graduate instead, very little is actually required (in the US) and you have time to work together with potential advisors in a more general way to develop some common ground for a research problem.
For specifics, just say where you are (intellectually), and what your general interests are. Be prepared to answer about what you have done, and what you have considered.
For completeness, outside the US the answer might be quite different.
answered 7 hours ago
BuffyBuffy
84.5k21 gold badges255 silver badges369 bronze badges
add a comment
|
In most fields in the US, coming to a potential advisor with a proposal isn't necessary. But with an MS, you should have the area you want to study narrowed quite a bit. I don't know specifically about how it works in applied math, but in theoretical math, you generally work out the project details with your advisor given some common interest.
The advisor, if interested in what you are doing can then be more than just someone who looks over you shoulder as you carry on by yourself and can become something of a collaborator. If you are too tightly focused when you first meet, you might hear: "Interesting, but not to me."
But if you want to work at the intersection of, say, analysis and health science, but without anything more specific, then you have a chance to find some common ground with an advisor. The field should be something that you already know about (since you have an MS) and that the potential advisor has previously worked in or has expressed interest in.
If you were a BS graduate instead, very little is actually required (in the US) and you have time to work together with potential advisors in a more general way to develop some common ground for a research problem.
For specifics, just say where you are (intellectually), and what your general interests are. Be prepared to answer about what you have done, and what you have considered.
For completeness, outside the US the answer might be quite different.
answered 7 hours ago
BuffyBuffy
84.5k21 gold badges255 silver badges369 bronze badges
In most fields in the US, coming to a potential advisor with a proposal isn't necessary. But with an MS, you should have the area you want to study narrowed quite a bit. I don't know specifically about how it works in applied math, but in theoretical math, you generally work out the project details with your advisor given some common interest.
The advisor, if interested in what you are doing can then be more than just someone who looks over you shoulder as you carry on by yourself and can become something of a collaborator. If you are too tightly focused when you first meet, you might hear: "Interesting, but not to me."
But if you want to work at the intersection of, say, analysis and health science, but without anything more specific, then you have a chance to find some common ground with an advisor. The field should be something that you already know about (since you have an MS) and that the potential advisor has previously worked in or has expressed interest in.
If you were a BS graduate instead, very little is actually required (in the US) and you have time to work together with potential advisors in a more general way to develop some common ground for a research problem.
For specifics, just say where you are (intellectually), and what your general interests are. Be prepared to answer about what you have done, and what you have considered.
For completeness, outside the US the answer might be quite different.
answered 7 hours ago
BuffyBuffy
84.5k21 gold badges255 silver badges369 bronze badges
answered 7 hours ago
BuffyBuffy
84.5k21 gold badges255 silver badges369 bronze badges
answered 7 hours ago
BuffyBuffy
84.5k21 gold badges255 silver badges369 bronze badges
answered 7 hours ago
BuffyBuffy
84.5k21 gold badges255 silver badges369 bronze badges
84.5k21 gold badges255 silver badges369 bronze badges
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add a comment
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I would say it is always better to have at least an idea or an outline of a project by your first interview.
answered 8 hours ago
Philosopher of sciencePhilosopher of science
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I would say it is always better to have at least an idea or an outline of a project by your first interview.
answered 8 hours ago
Philosopher of sciencePhilosopher of science
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I would say it is always better to have at least an idea or an outline of a project by your first interview.
answered 8 hours ago
Philosopher of sciencePhilosopher of science
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I would say it is always better to have at least an idea or an outline of a project by your first interview.
answered 8 hours ago
Philosopher of sciencePhilosopher of science
4814 silver badges13 bronze badges
New contributor
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answered 8 hours ago
Philosopher of sciencePhilosopher of science
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answered 8 hours ago
Philosopher of sciencePhilosopher of science
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answered 8 hours ago
Philosopher of sciencePhilosopher of science
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4814 silver badges13 bronze badges
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Since you've read the guy's papers, can't you write down a few ideas for extension of the work or to take it in new directions? If you contribute that, you can have a meaningful discussion and also show off the prep.
answered 30 mins ago
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Since you've read the guy's papers, can't you write down a few ideas for extension of the work or to take it in new directions? If you contribute that, you can have a meaningful discussion and also show off the prep.
answered 30 mins ago
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Since you've read the guy's papers, can't you write down a few ideas for extension of the work or to take it in new directions? If you contribute that, you can have a meaningful discussion and also show off the prep.
answered 30 mins ago
guestguest
1
New contributor
guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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Since you've read the guy's papers, can't you write down a few ideas for extension of the work or to take it in new directions? If you contribute that, you can have a meaningful discussion and also show off the prep.
answered 30 mins ago
guestguest
1
New contributor
guest is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 30 mins ago
guestguest
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answered 30 mins ago
guestguest
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answered 30 mins ago
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1
What field is this?
– Kevin Miller
8 hours ago
2
It would be useful if you included what country you are speaking of here. In the UK, because a PhD only lasts 3 to 4 years, you are expected to apply with your research proposal and, essentially, begin working on in on day one (though it will likely develop and change). In other places, where PhDs take longer, it is possible and even normal to begin your PhD without a clear topic.
– GrotesqueSI
8 hours ago