Contacted by a Prof that's not my POI - advice?

[soupy]

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I'm not quite sure what to make of this.

I applied to a clinical psych phd program, and in my application I mentioned that I would like to work with Professor A. However, yesterday I received a phone call from Professor B, a different professor at that program. He was basically like "I know you didn't mention my name when you applied, but I saw your application and thought it was great. I think you would be a great asset at my lab, so I'm going to send you some of my recent articles. If you're interested, let me know and we'll set up an interview." He mentioned the school's interview date, but I already have another interview scheduled that day. He was very nice and accommodating, though, and was like "Don't worry, we can set up another time and I'll give you a private tour and introduce you to the other faculty."

The whole thing kind of caught me off guard, and I don't know what to think. I mean, I'm honored he has taken an interest in me, but I'm not sure what to do about it. I read some of his research that he sent me, and it is in the same field that I've been working as a research assistant in for the past year and a half. While I enjoy the work I'm doing now, I'm not sure if I want it to become, like.. my main focus. I don't think I ONLY want to be researching this. In fact, I'm probably still more interested in Professor A's research. I'm not really sure where I stand with Professor A now, though... did she reject my application and pass it along to Professor B? Or do I still have a chance at working with her?

 

[deadmau5]

Definitely go for it!

You could end up liking what he/she has to offer. Definitely keep your options open, especially if this is a good school with good funding options. He/she clearly has interest in you, I would take the opportunity and interview with them.

 

[PsyDWannabe]

Definitely go for it!

You could end up liking what he/she has to offer. Definitely keep your options open, especially if this is a good school with good funding options. He/she clearly has interest in you, I would take the opportunity and interview with them.

+1!! Its great that you were so awesome that you had to be noticed 👍 But you have to make sure you are responding because you are genuinely interested and not out of concern of hurtinging feelings. That being said, people would give an arm to be in your position right now. Good for you!

 

[deadmau5]

Also some profs are open to different research. I mean one prof's focus could be "this", but wouldn't mind someone working on "that" because of the overlap.

 

[Chenelsea3]

and there's always the possibility of comentorship or cross-collaboration. i would definitely go! could be a great opportunity!

 

[hamsterpants]

and there's always the possibility of comentorship or cross-collaboration. I would definitely go! Could be a great opportunity!

+1

 

[ILGirl]

and there's always the possibility of comentorship or cross-collaboration. i would definitely go! could be a great opportunity!

Yes, go on the interview. Then, when you are at the interview, you can ask if there is an opportunity for co-mentorship or cross-collaboration.

Just make sure to ask these types of questions and try to ascertain whether or not the two professors get along well. It could get sticky for you, if they don't. Meaning, there would be less likelihood of cross-collaboration and co-mentorship.

 

[thewesternsky]

I'm not really sure where I stand with Professor A now, though... did she reject my application and pass it along to Professor B? Or do I still have a chance at working with her?

Unless Professor A has also contacted you, or does within the next few days (this happens occasionally!), you should assume you're out of the running with Professor A and see if you like what Prof B does.

 

[soupy]

Thanks a ton for the advice, guys. I'm thinking I will definitely go and meet with him and try to get more information. If it would be possible to have a kind of co-mentorship with Professor A, that would be amazing for me. Like I said, I would be happy to work on his research projects, they're very interesting, but I don't want to get stuck where that's the only kind of research I'm doing. So I think I'm just gonna be honest about that and see what happens!

 

[deleted176373]

I would run with it.

Mark