Applying To A Program Where You Already Work With The Prof

[ducle7]

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*mod note: I thought this was deserving of it's own thread, so I split it out from here. -t*

What happens if you're applying to a person that you're currently working for? Is there anything I should do---some suggestions from my friends were to constantly mention how much I appreciated working there and how I would LOVE to be his student.

Saying stuff like that isn't really my personality, but I'm wondering if I should be "kissing up" or making it very clear that I want to go to that school?

What do u guys think?

 

[Ollie123]

As for your situation ducle, I think the best thing to do is just be up front. Saying "I'm so grateful for the opportunity to work here" at every lab meeting will probably not be seen in a good way. Tell him you're really interested in his work, and I'd probably phrase it in a way of "What would I need to do to be accepted here? How can I make myself a competitive applicant to your lab?" Unless the professor is one who likes to have their ego stroked, this will probably be appreciated a great deal more, AND assuming they already like working with you I imagine they would give great advice on what you can do to make sure you get in.

Its not for everyone, but that's how I'd handle it, and that's pretty much my philosophy of life in general.

 

[JockNerd]

What happens if you're applying to a person that you're currently working for? Is there anything I should do---some suggestions from my friends were to constantly mention how much I appreciated working there and how I would LOVE to be his student.

Saying stuff like that isn't really my personality, but I'm wondering if I should be "kissing up" or making it very clear that I want to go to that school?

What do u guys think?

I think this is an important topic worth splitting into its own thread.

Your prof knows you're applying there, right? I ask because I know some profs won't accept students from within the program. Especially with some older profs, there's a perception that it's inappropriate to do your UG and grad work at the same place.

I'd say it's not kissing up at all to clearly express your strong desire to stay in the prof's lab because of fit, projects you have going on already, etc, if that's the truth. That's just expressing your preference. Just don't say it's only because it's the most convenient option 😛

 

[joetro]

Maybe it's just me, but I'm not sure I'd do a whole lot else differently than from any other program. I'd want to make sure that person is looking to take, and I'd probably also ask if there is a negative bias against taking students from that program. I think some programs would actually prefer to take graduate students they know, but you may not want to accept that offer - you may want to go elsewhere. I did.

 

[deleted176373]

*mod note: I thought this was deserving of it's own thread, so I split it out from here. -t*

What happens if you're applying to a person that you're currently working for? Is there anything I should do---some suggestions from my friends were to constantly mention how much I appreciated working there and how I would LOVE to be his student.

Saying stuff like that isn't really my personality, but I'm wondering if I should be "kissing up" or making it very clear that I want to go to that school?

What do u guys think?

You only need to make it clear once that you really want to go to school there. I wouldn't push an agenda and I wouldn't get my nose and tongue all brown either.

What I would do is make myself as valuable a resource as possible, someone that if he lost he would have difficulty in replacing because of the level of knowledge and competence you have as a research assistant. Making yourself invaluable is what will seal the deal, not brown-nosing.

What would you do if you were a professor and had a student who was so valuable that you didn't want them to leave and just applied to 5 or 6 graduate programs and applied to your program as well?

You would make sure that student was offered admission.

Mark

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Markp....great advice!

If you can make yourself 'uniquely qualified', then it will be much harder for them to choose someone over you. Prior to grad school, I developed a combination of skill sets that were unique in my industry (very few people had the combination), and now I'm 5+ years our of the business....and I still get inquiries and recruiters contacting me. I'd love to say it is because I'm an awesome person, but it is because I showed an ability that they have had a very hard time replacing, so they are willing to overlook my time away.

-t

 

[deleted176373]

Markp....great advice!

If you can make yourself 'uniquely qualified', then it will be much harder for them to choose someone over you. Prior to grad school, I developed a combination of skill sets that were unique in my industry (very few people had the combination), and now I'm 5+ years our of the business....and I still get inquiries and recruiters contacting me. I'd love to say it is because I'm an awesome person, but it is because I showed an ability that they have had a very hard time replacing, so they are willing to overlook my time away.

-t

Can you tell I used to own a business... LOL, the best employees would make themselves invaluable then see if they could extort raises from me... sometimes it worked. 😛

Mark

 

[JockNerd]

What would you do if you were a professor and had a student who was so valuable that you didn't want them to leave and just applied to 5 or 6 graduate programs and applied to your program as well?

I actually know several profs who pass up many good students who are applying from within their program, for the benefit of the student. Although it's bizarrely common now, a few decades ago it was abnormal to unthinkably weird to do UG and grad work at the same place. Many profs view doing that as academic inbreeding (I agree actually).

Also, I worked for a federal research funding agency in Canada. The manager there said that the agency scoffs at applications from researchers who do their entire education in one place, and they go to the bottom of the pile of apps (his exact words).

Just something to consider. If you intend on going into practice I think it matters much less, and in fact you could start building your referral network early if you stayed in one place.

Oh, and also be prepared with a coherent response at other interviews about whether you applied to you own undergrad school, and why. I was asked this repeatedly.

 

[deleted176373]

Many profs view doing that as academic inbreeding (I agree actually).

I agree as well, but there are cases where you can't move, etc, etc. In which case your best option is to make the strongest case for your candidacy.

Your graduate education is best served with new blood to provide you a broader basis to work from.

Mark

 

[PhDshallsee]

This is a good thread, as I'm in a similar, yet difference boat (did a summer program with the professor). Thanks for the advice!

 

[NH14]

This has been useful, because I also did a summer program and am continuing work with a professor at a neighboring institution that I am considering applying to for grad school.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Everything is coming together in this thread, it is like the end of every A-Team episode ever filmed, except the thread lacks some cool 80's music and things exploding. 🙁

-t