Graduate School Guidance. I want to be a cosmologist

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges faced by a student who has been accepted into a graduate program focused on quasar spectra and black holes, while expressing a strong desire to pursue theoretical cosmology and particle physics. Participants explore the implications of accepting the offer versus seeking opportunities more aligned with the student's interests.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster (OP) has struggled academically but has improved and been accepted into a graduate program, albeit in a field that is not their primary interest.
  • Some participants suggest that pursuing research in an area of disinterest could lead to dissatisfaction and failure in graduate studies.
  • Others question whether the OP's acceptance is contingent on the specific research project or if there is flexibility to explore other areas within the same university.
  • There is a suggestion that the OP could consider applying to additional universities for more options, although this comes with its own risks.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential regret of accepting an offer that does not align with the OP's interests.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the importance of passion for research in graduate studies. While some emphasize the necessity of interest in the research topic, others suggest that the OP may still find value in the current project. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best course of action for the OP.

Contextual Notes

There are uncertainties regarding the structure of the graduate program in Canada, particularly whether funding is tied to specific research projects or if there is room for flexibility in research focus.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering graduate studies in physics, particularly those interested in aligning their research with their passions, may find this discussion relevant.

nabeel17
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I had a lot of trouble in my early undergraduate career and had received some really bad grades. I retook a lot of courses and after 6 years, I am finally graduating with good marks in my third and fourth year courses and I believe I have an overall good understanding of undergraduate physics. I applied to two universities in Canada for graduate school (I am Canadian) and was accepted into one of them. The problem is, I've been accepted for research into something I am not fully interested. The research I will be doing is about quasar spectra and black holes (which is interesting in its own right) but I am very interested in theoretical cosmology and particle physics. I don't want to decline this offer because I have nothing else going for me but at the same time I wish I could go into an exact field of my interest. I'm not sure what to do and what my options are. Is it possible for me to accept this and still go into cosmology? How does one even become a theoretical physicist? Thanks for any advice or help
 
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Greg Bernhardt said:
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/so-you-want-to-be-a-physicist.240792/

How long is the research for?
It is for 6 terms and I have been offered aprox 50k for it which seems decent. I don't know what to do. I don't want to regret my decision later. I suppose since it is my only offer, its my only choice? But I feel like theoretical cosmology is all I want to do now..
 
Doing research you aren't interested in is a recipe for failure in physics. The only reason to do it is passion for the subject.

I don't know how grad school works in Canada, is the money/offer tied directly to the project, or could you do something else at the same university?
 
e.bar.goum said:
Doing research you aren't interested in is a recipe for failure in physics.

Right. This is very good advice!

But it isn't clear to me whether the OP is interested in the project or not. Sure, he has something that he is more interested in (theoretical cosmology), but maybe he finds the current project interesting too. In that case, I would definitely go for it.

Of course, you could have the option of applying again, since you only applied to two universities, which is a bit low. But there's always a risk involved...
 
nabeel17 said:
It is for 6 terms and I have been offered aprox 50k for it which seems decent. I don't know what to do. I don't want to regret my decision later. I suppose since it is my only offer, its my only choice? But I feel like theoretical cosmology is all I want to do now..

I second the comment above - is your acceptance onto the PhD program dependent on you undertaking research in this area, or will you be free to move? Which university are you accepted into? (Or, if you don't want to answer, does the university you've been accepted into have faculty undertaking research in theoretical cosmology?)
 

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