Who should I choose? HELP ME DECIDE?

[scienceisbeauty]

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I have to choose a thesis supervisor. I am fortunate enough to have the option of 3 professors (4 really, but I've eliminated one for sure)

1. Professor Mo (pseudoname) - his research is very interesting but not at all in my field, however, he's a HUGE name in the field. EVERYONE who is ANYONE knows him. He has like 100 publications each of them cited 10 + times, some even cited 60/70 times. He's really nice, always available to help and if you ask for an appt, will reply for sure. He's full time faculty. But remember, his research is not at all something I want to do later. However, a letter from him is like a HUGE HUGE thing as he is such a big name. It's like getting a letter from God.

2.Professor Mac (pseduoname) - his research is literally "the next HUGE thing". It's going to be big. He's not so well known but the research he is starting has been cited 25 + times and he's publishing in big name articles. I'm really interested in his research, however he's only an assistant professor right now. But still great. His research isn't what I would do in Grad School, but it will show that I've exposed myself to a diversity of things. I'd be willing to dabble into his research in grad school

3. Professor Barn (psedoname) - his research is really really close to what I want to do later on. He's an assistant professor and his work hasn't been cited so so much, but he is from Harvard and he is extremely knowledgeable and friendly. He's given me SO MUCH ADVICE. And he's like A+ as a mentor for everything. He'll say what's good, what's bad. He tells it like it is. He's so friendly. But if he's my thesis supervior they have lab meets on Fridays and that's the one day I don't have class. It takes me 2 hours to get to school and 2 hours to get back. It's a 4 hour journey to go...to a mandatory lab meet. But they do sound really interesting. He'll be able to introduce me to big names in the field that I'm interested in.


Please please someone help. I have to decide by next Monday at the VERY latest. I don't know what to do. I'm so so confused. Ask me questions if you want clarification but I'm really so stuck. HELPPPPP!!

 

[psypsypsy]

If #3 is the research you're most interested in, most related to what you want to do in the future, and you love the mentor, go with him. When I was writing my thesis, I hated working on sometimes (a lot), but at least I knew I loved the subject. The one piece of advice I was given when picking a topic was pick what you're most interested in (and can feasibly do). That way, you'll have more motivation to keep going through it.

However, can you put the other 2 on your committee? That way, you're still connected to the big name and interesting research, so if you wanted to branch out and work with their lab at some point, you'd already be connected.

 

[psychanon]

They all sound like really good options, but go with the one with the closest research match to you. A big part (if not the biggest part) of how you'll be evaluated when you apply for grad school is research match. Having done previous work in that area is the best way to demonstrate that you understand the issues at hand and really have an interest in the topic (as opposed to just saying you're interested in the topic because a professor at the school you want to be at is interested in it, which a lot of people do). Even if this guy isn't so well known yet, he may be well known in his own circle, which is where you'll be applying.

If logistical circumstances keep you from working with #3, go for whoever is closer to your interests. If you can make a case that the two areas of interest are connected in some way, then that might be OK. Overall, I'd say that match in interest trumps big-shot-ness.

 

[psychplease]

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[Therapist4Chnge]

Unless you are looking to be a strict academic and want to make a name for yourself early....go with #3. Working with big names can be tough though, since you may not get your name very high up on the list, and with someone lesser known you might have a bit more wiggle room.

-t

 

[paramour]

Count me in for #3 as well.

Sorry, but lengthy commutes does not seem to justify option #1 or 2 to me. And, yes, I do empathize with the situation as I had the exact problem with my chosen thesis chair. If it was not for him and his mandatory Friday lab meetings, I would not have had to go on-campus that particular day of the week which would have saved me a time consuming commute as well. There were actually a number of us in the same situation.

It is easier to show your interest in a particular area to programs you may apply to later on when you have already conducted research related to it. Yeah, the other schtuff may show your "diversity" but I really had to do a heck of a lot of convincing that I was interested in a specific area since most of my research experience was on other (completely different) topics. It can be done but why make the process harder on yourself than you absolutely have to?

G'luck!

 

[scienceisbeauty]

Everyone is saying number 3 - which is good, because I mean from people as smart and as awesome as you guys if everyone is choosing 3, then I'm really really leaning towards it.

The other thing I forgot to mention is with # 1, Prof Mo, I would probably get my name 2nd author on an article, he's really nice about such things - the only reason I wouldn't be 1st is because someone else started the project and typed up some of it, I'd be adding the rest of it..But I'll for sure get publication.

With # 2, I don't know so much, but he wants me to write an article with him but I'd be like 3, 4th author. He told me straight up that he wants to be first author. Maybe publication - maybe.

With # 3, he'd make me first author if I had done all the work but most probably 1st author because I do plan to do most of the work and all. Publication if I work hard enough. But ofcourse, who knows how the study will turn out, might not.

Thanks guys, I'm really really leaning towards # 3 now. Thanks so much for your help, but feel free to note more if anyone has more to add or if what I said changed someone's mind.